Deuteronomy 3:23-29

“At that time, too, I entreated the Lord, saying: ‘O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your might; what god in heaven or on earth can perform deeds and mighty acts like yours!¹ Let me cross over to see the good land beyond the Jordan,² that good hill country and the Lebanon.’ “³

“But the Lord was angry with me on your account⁴ and would not heed me. The Lord said to me, ‘Enough from you! Never speak to me of this matter again!⁵ Go up to the top of Pisgah and look around you to the west, to the north, to the south, and to the east.⁶ Look well, for you shall not cross over this Jordan. But charge Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, because it is he who shall cross over at the head of this people and who shall secure their possession of the land that you will see.’”⁷

“So we remained in the valley opposite Beth-peor.”

1 Implying existence of other gods or simply rhetorical?

2 Moses has a deep desire to see the promised land

3 Praise of God followed by request

4 Moses blames the people for God's anger with him. (see Numbers 20, where God appears to blame Moses himself, not the people.)

5 Quite strong rebuke from God.

6 God gives Moses a tiny consolation.

7 Joshua's authority is confirmed.


Take-home: The deepness of Moses's desire to see the promised land emphasizes the seriousness of God's judgement in denying him access.