1. LEARNING TO NUMBER OUR DAYS Moses’ Prayer Psalm 90 Page 550

2. The Setting Moses at the end of Life Old Testament Commentary: Deuteronomy 34 New Testament Commentary: Hebrews 11:23- 28.

3. Deuteronomy 34 ( page 183) Moses’ death on Mount Nebo A life-goal not quite achieved. A vision of the Promised Land. (Dt 34:1-4) Death and burial overlooking the Promised Land. (Dt 34:5-8) A successor appointed (Dt 34:9). Moses’ mixed emotions? (How did Moses look at his own life?)

4. God’s Assessment of Moses’ Life Deut 34:10-12 No prophet ever rose to the same heights. Known ‘face to face’ (intimately) by Yahweh. Showed all Egypt Yahweh’s miraculous signs and wonders. Showed all Israel God’s mighty power and awesome deeds.

5. NT Assessment of Moses Hebrews 11:23-28 (page 1115) V. 23. his parents’ act of faith ‘because they saw that he was no ordinary child’. Vv 24-26. Moses’ own act of faith: making a choice between ‘the people of God’ and the ‘treasures of Egypt’. V. 26b. Basis of his choice: he was ‘looking ahead to his reward’.

6. The results of Moses’ choices Hebrews 11:27-28 He lost his fear of Pharaoh, and the oppressive system of Egyptian power. He led the Exodus of the people, from bondage into freedom (he ‘left Egypt’) He ‘kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood’ right under Pharaoh’s nose. Note: the Passover feast was both an act of faith and a ritual of defiance.

7. The Results of Moses’ Choices (continued) V 27. He could see what others missed: ‘He persevered because he saw him who is invisible’. What did Moses see that others miss?

8. The Secret of Moses’ Faith What can we learn for today? The powerful influence of godly parents. (Hebr 11:23). The need to make godly choices. (Hebr 11:24- 26). – The treasures of Egypt were there for the taking. – The people of God were an unattractive lot. Criteria: a long-term or a short-term view of reality.

9. The Secret of Moses’ Faith (continued): he had found a real home. Psalm 90:1. Moses had already found his permanent home: ‘You, O Lord, are our dwelling place, throughout all generations’ Hebr 11:13-16. they seek ‘a better country’ – V 16. ‘God has prepared for them a city’.

10. The Secret of Moses’ Faith (continued): he could see what is invisible He was able to see what others missed. Hebr 11:27. – His circumstances were not favourable. – His companions were not co-operative. – His opponents controlled all the visible power. Beyond all that was visible, Moses lived in a relationship with the God of the Universe.

11. Psalm 90: Moses’ Final Prayer: facing the Reality of Life Vv 1-2. the basis: God is our dwelling place. Vv 3-6. Leave to God questions of how long we live. Vv 7-10. Accept the fact that life, however long, will have its share of ‘trouble and sorrow’.

12. Psalm 90: Moses’ Final Prayer (continued): dealing with the reality of life. Vv 11-12: Step One: ‘Fear the LORD’ and learn to ‘number our days’. Vv 13-17. Step Two: Trust God for the future. – Depend on his compassion – Find satisfaction in his love. – Cry out to Him to break in to the cycle of trouble. – Commit our life work to HIM.

13. The Final Word 14. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. 15. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. 16. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.

14. The Final, Final Word: Leave it to God! Psalm 90:17. May the favour of the LORD our God rest upon us. Establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands.