• By your reading of the chapters in Numbers, what would you say it is that leads to the wilderness generation’s condemnation? What is it that leads to Moses’? (2) The book of Deuteronomy presents Moses’ last discourse before his death just outside the Promised Land. Under Moses’ successor, Joshua, Israel will enter in and take possession of the Land. Given that the compilers of the Hebrew Bible could have ended the core unit of the OT in any place—e.g. after the conquest of the Land—why is it, do you think, that they closed the Pentateuch (i.e. the first unit of the Bible that is comprised of the first five books) with the death of Moses? It’s kind of a let down, no? (3) In the chapters from Joshua and Judges that we read, we seem to enter a new golden age of conquest. But … things are not so simple. Yes Joshua is much like Moses. (Can you see how?) Nevertheless, a shadow hangs over the whole of what he does. How might the closing passage of Deuteronomy 34 guide our reading of all that takes place in the book of Joshua? What does the text really mean to say about the events of his generation?

The condemnation of the wilderness generation is primarily due to the act of disobedience that takes place by the people of Israel in failing to show gratitude for all they have been given even despite Moses advising to follow the Lord’s command in Numbers 14. Despite the fact that the people of Israel were clearly dissatisfied with their exodus from Egypt, Moses obeys the command of God, although a difficult task, and provides himself a loyal servant up until the very end. By this logic, I think the condemnation and death of Moses is not a punishment by any means but rather an act of mercy shown to him for the life he has given as the Lord’s chosen one. As it says in the reading, Moses dies “at the mouth of the Lord,” or in direct accordance to God’s will, even at the cusp of his death. Moses has fulfilled his role as the elect to the best of his ability and even gives him a view of the promised land at the moment of his death, perhaps as an indication of the hope that lies ahead of him; a sight of hope or a sight of heaven. The placement of his death at the end of the Pentateuch represents the transition from one elect to another. However, because Moses is the one true prophet, the one who delivers the people of Israel from slavery to the promised land, it is only just that the books end with the death of the prophet. Perhaps his death, as we see as a reoccurring theme, is to be accompanied by a resurrection later. The death can be taken in several different directions, but as the closing passage states, one thing remains absolute: “No prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.” 

The shadow that hangs over all that Joshua, the newly elect, can be easily understood due to this closing discourse. No matter how obedient or faithful Joshua may prove himself to be, he will forever be compared to the unconditional servitude Moses showed God. However, I do not think this passage should be interpreted in a bad light but rather a guide to the rest of the book of Joshua. Moses, a loyal servant, worthy of mercy, bestows upon Joshua “the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him” (34). There exists a clear transition from one prophet to another, where Moses chooses the next elect he believes is worthy of the same mercy God showed him. So yes, there will be no prophet quite like Moses to ever be elected, but that is not to say Joshua will not be able to fulfill his role as the elect. Rather, this passage is a reminder that the work of Moses is to be forever cherished and to hold Joshua, hand selected by Moses, in high regard.