Moses Entering the Land of Promise

Moses was called by God to take the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt and lead them into Canaan, the land of promise. And he did an amazing job, leading people who were not too thankful for their freedom, but were often grumbling and rebellious. Again and again, Moses handled those situations with a humble heart. ‘Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth’ (Leviticus 12:3). 

Then, the day came when the people were grumbling because they had no water (Leviticus 20:5). Moses prayed, and the Lord told Moses to ‘speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water’ (Leviticus 20:8). A similar thing had happened once before. But that first time, the Lord had told Moses to ‘strike the rock and water will come out of it’ (Exodus 17:6).

Moses obviously thought he knew how to perform that kind of miracle. So, neglecting the Lord’s command to talk to the rock, he did as he had done the first time. The miracle happened, but because of his disobedience, Moses wasn’t allowed to enter the promised land (Deuteronomy 32:51). He saw the land from a distance, but died without getting into the land of promise himself.

However, 1300 years later, something very interesting happened inside the land of promise. Moses appeared on a mountain, talking to Jesus: ‘As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendour, talking with Jesus’ (Luke 9:29-31).

Through Jesus taking upon Himself the burden of mankind’s sins, the way was opened for Moses, and for any other human being who would receive Jesus as Saviour and Lord, to enter the promised land. Jesus took upon Himself the burden of Moses’ sins, and yours, and mine.

I cannot imagine what joy Moses must have felt, finally entering the land of promise. In a similar way, one day, you and I will enter the place Jesus is preparing for us.

These days, I am making the last preparations for taking a nine-year-old on his first camping trip. He has never slept in a tent before. His excitement and anticipation are making it difficult for him to stand still. In a similar way, if you have received Jesus as your Lord, you have a land of promise awaiting you. And because of what Jesus did for you, you can be confident that the doors of heaven will be open the day you get there. So, allow yourself to be as excited as my little nine-year-old friend.