GLEANINGS FROM THE SCRIPTURES The Influence of Moses By Keith L. Estes When Moses had finished his farewell address he was summoned to Mount Pisgah, high in the hills of Moab, where he was to see the glories of the land on which he was never to set foot. From this range of mountains the aged leader could look to the west across the deep ravine of the Jordan and see from south to north the future home of his people. One likes to think that his last look came in the afternoon as the lowering sun lighted up the chief features of the Promised Land. When the view had been completed the God whom he had so faithfully served quietly closed his eyes with the glories of the vision of Canaan still fresh in his mind. Here God took him home; here God placed his body in a tomb never to be known by men. "And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-Peor; but no man knoweth of his sepulcher unto this day." By Nebo's lonely mountain, On this side Jordan's wave, In a vale in the land of Moab, There lies a lonely grave; But no man built that sepulcher And no man saw it e're; For the angels of God upturned the sod, And laid the dead man there. It is impossible in brief space to make an adequate appraisal of a man so distinguished as Moses. He was the greatest man in Hebrew history. The long record of his achievements is still almost unbelievable. It seems best to follow the customary procedure of considering first his character and then his work. In character he was pre-eminent. He possessed almost all the qualities of personal greatness. Superb courage, patience, unselfishness, forgiveness, meekness, integrity, vision, faith and loyalty are all nobly exhibited in the life of this remarkable man. His work surpasses that of any Biblical character except Jesus Christ. By any standard he would be considered one of the most amazing men in human history. "The Hebrew lawgiver was a man, who, considered merely in a historical light, without any reference to his Divine inspiration, has exercised a more extensive and permanent influence over the destinies of his own nation and mankind at large, than any other individual recorded in the annals of the world." He was lawgiver, statesman, judge, warrior, prophet, priest, and poet. To him, more than to any other man, belongs the credit for molding and leading the Hebrew people into a nation. A lesser figure could not have accomplished this great undertaking. Before his departure he was able to look upon a mighty people ready now to enter the Promised Land where they could begin to fulfill their high mission as God's chosen people. References: The Heart of Hebrew History by H. I. Hester, Poem by Cecil Francis Alexander, quotation from Stanley: Lectures on Jewish History and Deuteronomy 34:6 The Holy Bible. Return to Home Page Return to Current Edition Contact us