Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is across from Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land of Gilead as far as Dan. (Deuteronomy 34:1)
Everything has a purpose: that’s not just who God uses or what God uses but includes the place God chooses to do certain things. Thus it is from Pisgah that the Almighty showed all of the land of promise to His servant, Moses. From this one point on the map, Moses saw many other points on the map, from the land of Gilead in the northern territory to the farthest points south — and everything in between. One Jewish commentator wrote that he was shown different landmarks, including the Mount of Olives, Mount Zion, Bethlehem and the events that happened there. In other words, he was allowed to see places and events connected to the ministry of Messiah.
There are other commentators who also believe he was shown more than just the land but was given a prophetic vision of things that would happen in the land until Judgment Day. Because the territory of Dan is specifically mentioned, some scholars believe this alludes to Moses being shown the idolatry of Dan and the subsequent exile. In verse 2, it says that he saw the “western sea” (understood to be the Mediterranean) but literally translated as the “last sea,” a supposed allusion to the “last day.” i.e. The Day of the LORD. All of this is to say that, even though he was denied entry into the land, he was able to see it — and much more.
Does God give others prophetic vision such as this? Perhaps not to the extent that was given to Moses but there are many servants of the Most High who have been allowed to see beyond what was just in front of them. Even in this day, God allows us, from time to time, to see beyond our 3-D world and perceive what is going on behind the scenes as well as what is to come. And when and if He does this, what is the point? The first thing that comes to mind is, “Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).
Put simply, it advances God’s purpose for His servants to be in the know — at least when it is the appropriate time. In other words, when we are shown things that are beyond what we see on the surface, we have the responsibility to share with the rest of the Body so that all His people benefit. God doesn’t want His people to be in the dark but to live in the light so that we may do what is right. I believe this is especially true in this day and age, and so, we’ll close with these thoughts from Paul: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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