READ: DEUTERONOMY 3:21-29 TEXT: v25 MOSES' PRAYER
I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon.
This prayer seems to have been an improper prayer and not according to God's will.
God had said:
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. (Numbers 20:12)
What was Moses playing at?
Did he (in his weakness) think that God would change His mind? I don't think so
He might have wondered whether the threatening was absolute, especially
seeing it was not accompanied with an oath as the exclusion of the
people were
A good example of this is the sentence against Ninevah had a condition where repentance was implied but not expressed
Ninevah was spared
Moses was hoping for a retraction of the verdict against him
1) THE DESIRE TO ENTER CANAAN WAS A NATURAL ONE:
A/ Not merely as an object of curiosity (although present) but still more as an object of hope
[i] As such it was long promised: Genesis 15:13
[ii] Sustained the afflicted in Egypt
[iii] Brought them out of Egypt
[iv] Encouraged them at the Red Sea
[v] Sustained them in the desert
B/ Having wandered for nearly 40 years/desert, the prize was within his grasp - and he lost it
The cup was dashed from his very lips
He was devastated and so this prayer
2) THE PRAYERFUL DESIRE WAS REFUSED:
Denied for all time - "Let it suffice thee - speak no more to me of this matter (v26)
Sometimes God refuses the desires of servants - even the most Eminent and beloved. Examples:
[i] James/John desired to sit with Christ on His right hand
[ii] Paul desired (x3) the thorn/flesh to be removed
[iii] Peter would know what God's plan for John were - this request for information was denied him
Sometimes God denies His people in LOVE
He sees what we ask for as being injurious
We think badly of a father who gives a stone for bread or a serpent for fish -
but what of a father who would give to his son who requested a stone or a serpent?
What of a father who agreed to give his son a sharp implement or let him climb a steep ladder?
To grant such a request would mark out a father who hated his child more than loved him
We must discern between a child's wishes and his wants
Or his greeds and his needs
He may wish for liberty, but he needs restraint
He wishes for holidays but he needs schooling
He may wish for dainties, but he needs medicine
The wise/loving father must appear in acting not according to the wishes, but the welfare of the child.
Hymn writer:
God's choice is safer than our own - Of ages past enquire
What the most formidable fate? To have our own desire!
How well it would have been for Israel had God turned a deaf ear to their cries
He gave them a King in His anger and took him away in His wrath
They wanted flesh to eat - and got it, but also leanness/soul
If we look back - we might well appreciate how some things longed for were denied us and just as well!
Perhaps evil lurked underneath and we saw it not
A granting of our desire may have led to indulgence
Only God knows what is ultimately good for us. Hymn writer:
Good when he gives, supremely good, nor less when he denies;
E'en crosses from His sovereign hand, Are blessings in disguise
Sometimes God denies His people in ANGER
Wrath is incomparable with love...but not anger
Anger can flow from love
A Christian cannot be condemned but he can be chastised
Law/house is that God chastens His erring children
So some who are inheritors/Heaven presently lie under rebukes of providence and are refused many things fondly longed for
Another Rule/house: I will honour them who honour me
First thoughts: How hard God is!
More spiritual/mature thoughts will be those of David:
I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. (Psalm 119:75)
Such teaches us the evil of sin
God deals with it severely in His own people
If these things are done in the green tree - what of the dry?
Again: 1 Peter 4:17
3) MOSES' REQUEST WAS PARTLY INDULGED: v27
Not to tantalise, but to mitigate the severity of the sentence
Moses didn't throw a tantrum but came humbly in prayer
His good eyesight enabled him to enjoy the view he was given
And was properly strengthened for this very purpose
The prospect was shown him to prove how worth the country which God has promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
This, along with divine grace would have consoled him
God enables us to bear without what before we thought was essential to our happiness
He gave Paul grace to bear the thorn/flesh
This enables our soul to become like a weaned child
Moses' soul was immediately raised to contemplate the higher Canaan which he surely entered
In the midst of judgement, God always remembers mercy and though He cause grief, He has compassion
In closing:
Let us seek to pray in accordance with God's will
Best done by praying according to Scripture
Be prepared for the "no" answer
In all things, be resigned to the divine will which is best
THE END
(This sermon was drawn largely from the Morning Exercises of William Jay of Bath)