We know he wasn't destined to cross the Jordan River, to set foot in that land flowing with milk and honey. But what did God show him in those final moments?
The book of Sifrei Devarim, a collection of early rabbinic legal interpretations on the book of Deuteronomy, offers us a glimpse. It isn't just a geographical panorama, but a vision through time itself.
The text tells us, "and Menasheh," teaching us that God showed Moses the land that would be inherited by the tribe of Menasheh. Makes sense, right? But there’s more. Because he was Menasheh's brother, he is juxtaposed with him in this verse.
But wait, there's an alternative interpretation. "And Menasheh" could also mean that God showed Moses a vision of Gideon ben Yoash, a hero from the tribe of Menasheh, locked in battle with the Midianites and Amalekites. Remember Gideon? He was the one who said, "My thousand is the most impoverished of Menasheh," (Judges 6:15) acknowledging his humble origins. Imagine Moses seeing that scene play out centuries in the future!
And what about the southern kingdom? The text continues, "and all the land of Yehudah," teaching us that God showed him the land of Judah. Again, straightforward enough.
But hold on to your hats because here's another interpretation that really blows my mind. "And all the land of Yehudah" could also mean that God showed Moses a vision of David in all his glory, reigning as king. The connection? The text draws a parallel between "all the land of Yehudah" here and a verse in I Chronicles 28:4, where David says, "And the God of Israel chose me from all my father's house… For He chose Yehudah to be the ruler, and of the house of Yehudah, my father's house, etc."
So, what are we to make of this?
It seems that Moses' final vision wasn't just about territory. It was about destiny, about the future of the people he had led for so long. He saw not only the land they would inherit, but also the leaders and the struggles that would define their history. He saw Gideon's bravery and David's kingship, all part of the unfolding story of the Jewish people.
It makes you wonder, doesn't it? What would we see if we were granted such a vision? What moments, what people, what struggles would define our own future? Perhaps the answer lies not in a mountaintop vision, but in the choices we make today.