Moses farewell messages:  Why are these called Moses farewell messages?

They are the three messages he gave the new generation before he died.

One—is lessons from the past:  What does this mean?

It reviews the Israelites history and things they should learn from what happened in the past.

Two— reviews the law:  What is the law?

The instruction book of Leviticus tells about these laws–the second message focuses on these instructions given by God that they are to obey. Deuteronomy means second law. The first law was given to the generation that fled from Egypt and before they began their journey in the wilderness. These are given to the new generation ready to go into the promised land.

Three—is Israel’s future both near and afar:   What does Israel’s future both near and afar mean?

Israel is  Abraham’s descendants –the Jewish people or Israelites.  God chose these people to demonstrate to the world about who He is. They were his “chosen people.”  They were also called Israelites or people of Israel.

Some of the promises about what will happen were for the things that would happen soon as they went into the promised land.  Some of the things Moses told them about their future would happen many years later.

From the top of Mount Nebo Moses views the promised land:  Why does he look at the promised land from Mount Nebo?

Though Moses did not get to go into the promised land, because in his anger he had hit a rock with his staff when God had told him to speak to the rock. God let him see it from this mountain. This is referred to in Deuteronomy 32:51-52. The incident is recorded in Numbers 20.

There he dies and Joshua is the man in command:   Who was Joshua?

Joshua was one of the young men who years before had spied out the land and said,” yes, let’s go!”   At age 120 Moses dies and the people weep and mourn, but God’s provides Joshua, to lead them into the promised land.

Preparing: Obedience to God’s law in faith in the Old Testament was necessary for blessing, which prepares for faith and obedience to Jesus the Savior.

Pictures: Moses and Joshua spoke God’s words to the people and pointed to Jesus the Savior who would be the greatest speaker of God’s truth. See p. 53 in What the Bible Is All About for Young Explorers.

More to Talk About:

Moses encourages the people to choose LIFE In his 3^rd message, by loving God with all their heart and following Him.   We also have that same choice! God uses His Word to change on our hearts.   Here is a good verse to pray:  Deut. 30:6  God, your God, will cut away the thick calluses on your heart and your children’s hearts, freeing you to love God, your God, with your whole heart and soul and live, really live .~The Message