Today we finished reading Moses’ last message to his people – the last 2 chapters of Deuteronomy.  And then the LORD buried him on Mt. Nebo – and the people wept in mourning for him for 30 days (34 v.8)  They wept for Jesus for only 3 days! Wondrously, they did not need to weep any longer.

We ponder the comparison between natural Israel and spiritual Israel. We read Paul’s words today in Colossians 3 v.15 “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.”  We have a greater Joshua and a far more wonderful promised land (earth) to enter as long as we are genuinely part of the calling into “one body”

But let us carefully consider Moses’ final words in the last verse of ch. 29, “Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield …”  And spiritual Israel has been saved by the LORD’s Son.

Moses was leaving a people who had been chastened and refined by their wilderness journey.  We sense that our wilderness journey is nearing completion, how do we feel?  Can we say with David, “Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.” [Psa. 33 v,20]

What kind of shield can we can take and use and put on ? Look at the words of Paul we read today in Colossians. “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,  bearing with one another … [3 v.12,13] “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts … And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly …”