The Transfiguration of Our Lord: Old Testament, Deuteronomy 34:1-12      

Deuteronomy 34:1-12

It is the end. Or very near the end of one of the greatest men who ever lived. Moses’ life is cranking to its close, yet God is still at work. And perhaps it is important that the very one who was given, and who delivered the Law to God’s people, is given a taste of promise at life’s end.

Moses experiences Law and Gospel in his last days. His death is the final blow of the Law in his, and in all our lives. “The wages of sin is death,” says St. Paul. True enough. But the Law is not the end for those who love Christ; better those loved savingly by Christ. Moses went up from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah. And in the sweetness of gospel promise is given vision of a literal land of promise. Type and shadow. Moses was not allowed to enter that “Promised Land” due to his disobedience. But was given only a distant glance. That glance was the gospel before his eyes.

Moses did enter the land of promise and he stood there with His God in the glory he had once seen on another mountain. (cf. Luke 9:28-36) God (Jesus) had fulfilled the promise, and Moses was admitted to the fulness of its glory. The servant of the Lord whose “eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated” (Deut. 32:7) received grace. mercy, and peace when, once again, he saw his Lord face to face.

We have the same sure promise.