Deuteronomy 34:5-6 “5 So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. 6 And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor; but no man knows his burial place to this day.”

PRIVATE BURIAL

Isn’t it amazing that the only person whom God buried was buried in a private, “for family only” service?  Why was that?  I think there were a couple of reasons.  First, if the people had known Moses’ gravesite it would have become a shrine.  God did not want that.  Secondly, God needed to be alone with Moses when He died.  He did not want a crowd of millions wailing and crying over Moses’ death.

God had a personal, intimate relationship with Moses.  Perhaps, other than Adam and Eve in the Garden, Moses was the closest to Jehovah.  God loved him and chose him for a very specific purpose.  Now that was done, God wanted Moses to come home, his real home – Glory.

TEACHING MOMENT

Death is reality.  We parents do not need to shield our children from this.  They need to know that when someone dies, we will NOT see them again this side of eternity.  Depending on their salvation status (saved or lost) we may or may not see them there.  Telling our children anything else is deceptive and not helpful.  You need to decide at what age it is appropriate for them to know this, but don’t hide this truth from them.

I have heard parents tell their children that grandma or grandpa had to “go away” and one day they would see them again in heaven.  Two things are wrong with this.  They didn’t “go away.”  They died.  And secondly, they will only see them again if they both end up in the same place, heaven or hell.

This may be the heaviest devotion I have written.  Speaking of where someone will spend eternity is sobering, but it is so important.  Are you sure where you are going one day?  Do you know for sure that you will spend eternity with our loving Savior?

How about your children?  Have they asked the Lord Jesus in their hearts to secure their name in the Lamb’s Book of Life?  There is no other decision on earth that is more important.

When others come to your graveside one day (should the Lord tarry His return), what will they say?  Will they know where your spirit is residing at that moment.  Let them know while you are still alive that you will be HOME!