Moses continues recounting before this new generation what had happened. This time, he reflects on a personal story. Moses pleaded with the LORD, first attributing how the LORD had only just begun to reveal His power and might and magnificence before Moses (an incredible statement by Moses who was now 120!). “For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such mighty works and acts as yours?” Second, Moses asked God to let him cross over the Jordan to see the good land and good hill country that the Israelites were to inherit from the good hand of God.
But despite Moses’ pleas, God refused, for it was not His will for Moses to do this. In fact, God was angry with Moses for his flagrant disregard for God in front of the people when he struck the rock 2x at Meribah. So egregious was Moses’ behavior before God that He said, to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them” (cf. Numbers 20:12). And here, Moses recalls that God told him not to bring it up again.
Nevertheless, in great mercy, God did grant Moses a far-off vantage point to view the lush land, sending him to the top of Mt. Pisgah, so that he might gaze upon the Promised Land from afar, but he would not cross the Jordan with the people, for he would die. And since Moses would not continue on, he was instructed to charge, encourage, and strengthen his successor, Joshua, for “he shall go over at the head of this people, and he shall put them in possession of the land that you shall see.” After this, Moses simply states that they remained in the valley opposite Beth-peor, which perhaps was a simple reminder of wicked behavior from the people of Israel, in which they entered into unlawful sexual union with the daughters of Moab. So wicked was their behavior there that God slew 24,000 Israelites!
You can listen to this teaching on Deuteronomy 3:23-29 by clicking on the following link: Not Going Over
