Moses finished his song to help the Israelites remember God and to obey Him. Moses told the people these were not just idle words - they were life!
God told Moses to go up to the top of Mount Nebo to see the land that He would give to the Israelites. Just as Aaron had died on Mount Hor, so Moses would die on Mount Nebo. It was because Moses and Aaron had broken faith with God in front of the Israelites and struck the rock instead of talking to it as they had been commanded that they did not enter the promised land. (Numbers 20:1-13 Feb 17)
Before he climbed the mountain, Moses blessed all the tribes of Israel. What I notice is that he doesn't name Simeon, but he does name Joseph. Also, in Genesis 49 when Jacob blessed his sons, he put Levi and Simeon together. Not much is said about Reuben, because he defiled his father's bed by sleeping with his stepmother, so he was not blessed with abundance. (Gen 49:4 Jan 17)
So Moses climbed the mountain and God showed him the promised land. I wonder about the visibility Moses enjoyed (his eyesight was good) without all the air pollution we have now. Moses was still in pretty good shape for a 120 year old. Joshua was filled with the spirit because Moses had laid his hands on him and conferred his authority to him, so the Israelites listened to him.
The final verses (10-12) of Deuteronomy offer a short eulogy of sorts for Moses and remind us that God did great things through him.
Joshua took over as leader. God told him that they all needed to prepare to cross the Jordan River to the promised land. God promised Joshua that just as he was with Moses, He would be with Joshua and never leave him. God told Joshua to be strong and have courage and obey all the commandments without wavering, that God would be with him wherever he went.
Tomorrow read Joshua 1:10-ch 4
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