(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
Deuteronomy 3:21–29, “And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, Thine eyes have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto these two kings: so shall the LORD do unto all the kingdoms whither thou passest. Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you. And I besought the LORD at that time, saying, O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might? I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter. Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan. But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see. So we abode in the valley over against Bethpeor.”
Moses told Joshua to make ready to lead Israel over the Jordan River and in to the Promised Land. He reminded Joshua that the Lord is trustworthy and can be relied on in every situation. Moses then returned to the deepest wish of his heart. He had led Israel from slavery in Egypt and now they were a nation of warriors on the borders of the Promised Land. He came out of Egypt in hope, longing to go into the Promised Land as well. He had seen the Lord miraculously intervene in history many times and knew what the Lord could do. Even though the Lord promised him that he would not be allowed to go into the Promised Land, because of his sin (Numbers 20:12, “And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.”) Moses prayed again and begged the Lord to let him go into the Promised Land but the Lord refused to let him go in. Moses had to suffer the consequences of his actions. The Lord also knew that Joshua would be unable to effectively lead the people on their invasion of the Promised Land if Moses was still alive. It was very hard for Moses but it was essential for the rest of the nation that Joshua be allowed to lead them in his own right. There are some people today who suggest that we always get what we pray for if we have enough faith. However, Moses, the meekest man in all the earth (Numbers 12:3, “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)”)
, who saw the Lord face to face (Exodus 33:11, “And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.”), prayed and the Lord said “NO!” How can any other person believe that the Lord will always say yes!” to them. The Lord remains the Lord and His ways are past finding out (Romans 11:33, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”)
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