FINISHING WELL Paula Payne

Deuteronomy 34:1-12 The Death of Moses 1 Now Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, 2 and all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, 3 and the Negev and the plain in the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. 4 Then the LORD said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” 5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. 6 And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor; but no man knows his burial place to this day.

Deuteronomy 34: Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated. 8 So the sons of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end. 9 Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; and the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses. 10 Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11 for all the signs and wonders which the LORD sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land, 12 and for all the mighty power and for all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.

The Story of Moses – initial C.V...? Positives:  Member of the royal household  Highly educated  Adaptable  Begins to “wake up” to justice issues Negatives:  Abandoned at birth  Adopted / fostered as a child  Ethnic minority group  A murderer  A wanted criminal in his home land  A fugitive from the Law  Turned to another religion?  Made a lot of excuses trying to avoid what God told him to do Which list do you identify with more?

The Story of Moses – timeline Roughly 3 x 40 years: THE EXODUSMIDIANEGYPT What does your ‘timeline’ look like so far?

Moses’ Journey THE EXODUSMIDIANEGYPT In conflict with himself Finding his purpose Fulfilling his purpose Finishes well?

Moses Journeys with God... = Time speaking with the Lord  up the mountain  crying out to the Lord  in the Tent of Meeting Involves...  honesty (e.g. Num.11)  humility (Num.12:3)  obedience learnt the hard way (c.f. Ex.17 & Num.21)

Team Work Belbin’s Team Roles  Implementer  Shaper  Plant  Monitor/Evaluator  Specialist  Co-ordinator  Team Worker  Resource/Investigator  Completer/finisher Are you developing gifts and habits to help you persevere?

Moses’ Defining Moment... Context: Numbers 20:9-12  Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it: He didn’t believe the Lord He didn’t honour Him as holy in the sight of the people of Israel The moment after this is Moses’ defining moment Have you had a defining moment?

Moses’ Response...  He doesn’t try to justify himself; he knows it’s true  He doesn’t become bitter and resentful  He continues to lead the people on the journey marked out for them  He continues to seek the Lord for the people and the way ahead  He continues to mentor the next generation (Joshua)  He takes them right to the edge of the Promised Land, i.e. as far as he can

Moses’ C.V. – the final version  His still had vision  He was still pressing on for the purposes of God  There was no other prophet like him  The Lord knew him face to face  He moved in power and performed awesome deeds He didn’t enter into the Promised Land...or did he?

Our Response... What did your initial ‘C.V.’ look like when you first met the Lord? Have you had a defining moment? Many defining moments? What does your ‘timeline’ look like so far? If He could shape-up Moses, He can work with you! Take some time to reflect with the Lord on where you are; ask Him about the next step... How have you responded to it? Have you let it stop you? N.B. Galatians 5:7 - You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? Are you developing gifts and habits to help you persevere? Decide today to change – small changes make a big difference. There is no substitute for spending time with the Lord

Final Word... Deut.34:7 Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated.