Deuteronomy 3
Preparations to enter the Promised Land are now nearly completed, and Moses is aware his own life on the earth is very near the end. With the sinful generation now dead, Moses gathers the people around him to begin the transfer of leadership.
Moses feels keenly the responsibility for orienting a new generation to their history of their young nation, its unique relationship to God, and their purpose in the conquest which will begin shortly -- in fact, just over a month from this very week in which Moses will die.
In the first of his final two addresses, Moses will provide some surprising and interesting details not included in the other records. Especially touching are Moses's personal feelings about some of the incidents which have occurred, and repeated references to his own sin which keeps him from entering the Land.
It was also at that same time that I begged the Lord: Please, Lord God! You have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. What god in heaven or on earth can act as you do or can perform your deeds and powerful acts? Please let me cross over the Jordan River so I can see the wonderful land that lies beyond it: those beautiful highlands, even the Lebanon region.
But the Lord was angry with me because of you! He wouldn't listen to me. He said to me: That’s enough from you! Don’t ever ask me about this again! Go up to the top of Mount Pisgah. Look west, north, south, and east. Have a good look, but you will not cross the Jordan River. Instead, command Joshua, strengthen him, and encourage him because he’s the one who will cross the river before this people. He’s the one who will make sure they inherit the land you will see.
This moving petition, made by one whom God knew by name and spoke with without the covering of His glory, was answered with "No."
Refusal may be the only answer possible in love and wisdom and truth.
What is the answer to unanswered prayer?
And what about the silence? Sometimes for years - there is neither yes nor no. Is it because God doesn't answer, or is it because we (as believers) has forgotten how to hear his voice?
It was also at that same time that I begged the Lord: Please, Lord God! You have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. What god in heaven or on earth can act as you do or can perform your deeds and powerful acts? Please let me cross over the Jordan River so I can see the wonderful land that lies beyond it: those beautiful highlands, even the Lebanon region.
But the Lord was angry with me because of you! He wouldn't listen to me. He said to me: That’s enough from you! Don’t ever ask me about this again! Go up to the top of Mount Pisgah. Look west, north, south, and east. Have a good look, but you will not cross the Jordan River. Instead, command Joshua, strengthen him, and encourage him because he’s the one who will cross the river before this people. He’s the one who will make sure they inherit the land you will see.
This moving petition, made by one whom God knew by name and spoke with without the covering of His glory, was answered with "No."
Refusal may be the only answer possible in love and wisdom and truth.
What is the answer to unanswered prayer?
And what about the silence? Sometimes for years - there is neither yes nor no. Is it because God doesn't answer, or is it because we (as believers) has forgotten how to hear his voice?
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