Why was Moses not allowed to enter the Promised Land?

Response

Moses is celebrated as the leader of the Exodus, the one through whom God delivered His people from Egyptian slavery. God entrusted the Law to Moses. Jesus showed that Moses prefigured His own work as the Messiah (John 3:14-15). Moses is recognized in Hebrews 11 as a model of faith. In Deuteronomy 34, we learn that God Himself buried Moses. It is also stated that, “since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. . . . For no one has ever displayed the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel” «And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, », (Deuteronomy 34:10,12) «and in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses showed in the sight of all Israel.», (Deuteronomy 34:10,12). However, despite all his blessings, Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. Why not?

In Deuteronomy 32:51–52, God explains why Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land: “This is because . . . you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites. Therefore, you will see the land only from a distance; you will not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel.” God kept His promise. He showed Moses the Promised Land but did not allow him to enter.

The incident at the wa

The account of Meribah Kadesh is documented in Numbers 20. As the Israelites neared the conclusion of their forty years of wandering, they arrived at the Desert of Zin. Encountering a lack of water, the community turned against Moses and Aaron. The two leaders sought God’s guidance by prostrating themselves before Him in the tent of meeting. In response, God instructed Moses and Aaron to assemble the people and address the rock, assuring them that water would flow from it. Moses, accompanied by the staff, gathered the men as directed. However, in a moment of apparent frustration, Moses addressed the assembly, saying, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring water out of this rock?” Subsequently, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff (Numbers 20:10-11). True to God’s promise, water gushed from the rock. Nevertheless, God promptly informed Moses and Aaron that due to their lack of trust and failure to honor Him as holy, they would not lead the Israelites into the Promised Land (verse 12).

The consequences may appear severe, yet upon closer examination of Moses’ actions, several errors become evident. Primarily, Moses disregarded a direct command from God. While God had instructed him to speak to the rock, Moses chose to strike it with his staff. In a previous instance, when water was brought forth from a rock, God had indeed commanded Moses to strike it with a staff (Exodus 17). However, the instructions differed on this occasion. God desired Moses to exhibit trust, particularly given their longstanding relationship. Moses did not need to exert force; rather, he simply needed to obey God, confident that He would fulfill His promise.

Furthermore, Moses wrongly claimed credit for the miracle. Addressing the gathered people at the rock, he asked, “Must we bring you water out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10). Moses appeared to be appropriating the miracle for himself and Aaron, rather than acknowledging God’s role in the event.

Himself (and Aaron), instead of attributing it to God. Moses did this publicly. God could not let it go unpunished and expect the Israelites to understand His holiness.

The water-giving rock is used as a symbol of Christ in 1 Corinthians 10:4. The rock was struck in Exodus 17:6, just like Christ was crucified once “who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.”, (Hebrews 7:27). Moses’ speaking to the rock in Numbers 20 could have been meant as a picture of prayer. Jesus was “struck” once, and He continues to provide living water to those who pray in faith to Him. When Moses angrily struck the rock, he destroyed the biblical typology and, in effect, crucified Christ again.

Moses’ punishment for disobedience, pride, and the misrepresentation of Christ’s sacrifice was steep; he was barred from entering the Promised Land “And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.”, (Numbers 20:12). Yet we do not see Moses complain about his punishment. Instead, he continues to faithfully lead the people and honor God.

In His holiness, God is also compassionate. He invited Moses up to Mount Nebo where He showed His beloved prophet the Promised Land before his death. Deuteronomy 34:4–5 records, “Then the Lord said to him, ‘This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, “I will give it to your descendants.” I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.’ And Moses the servant of the Lord died.There in Moab, as the Lord had said.” Moses’ failure at the rock did not nullify or sever his relationship with God. God kept using the prophet and continued to love him affectionately.