ESOCS Devotional 27 August 2026 – Marked and Distinguished
MEMORY VERSE: Deut. 34:10 “Since then no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses whom the LORD knew face to face.” (NIV)
TEXT: Deuteronomy 34:1-10
Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is across from Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land of Gilead as far as Dan, 2 all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, 3 the South, and the plain of the Valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. 4 Then the Lord said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.”
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 a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day. 7 Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished. 8 And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. So the days of weeping and mourning for Moses ended.
9 Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.
10 But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face,
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In life, we see men and women in certain fields of endeavour who by character and learning make a mark for themselves and distinguish themselves by extra ordinary exploits and personality. Among them are those who by divine providence and favour are made distinguished in riches wealth and status. In our text today, we meet Moses on whom God’s anointing fell and was by the power of the anointing marked out and distinguished in a way that before and after him human kind has not recorded anyone of his equal in the prophetic ministry. He received the anointing and was through obedience and humility committed to the task that God gave him. We can hear a lot about the blessedness of those whom God elects and they submit to the task.
In the first place, he had conversation with God and got sight of the pleasure and goodness of the future of his descendants and the great people of Israel. He did not die ignorant of what the future holds for his people. Knowing that your descendants will occupy better position and less trouble before your death will give a unique kind of joy to the godly. We can experience this privilege if our ways are right with God. (Deut. 34:1-3)
Secondly, Moses died in the presence of God. God buried him. People will tell you what it takes to have a high personality to be present in the burial of their loved ones. Can you attract the presence of the President of Nigeria or even the head of the Church to the burial of your person? But God was there when Moses died and He buried him. (Deut. 34:5,6).
Thirdly, Moses died at age 120. He had the strength and sight of a youth at that age before he died. Being old and being strong and healthy at old age is the desire of everyone. We can experience it if we remain in the Lord and serve with the best of what we can offer as the scripture teaches. (Deut. 34:7)
Again, the death of Moses was not the end of his ministry. He raised and blessed a servant who qualified to step into his shoe. He was not selfish as to focus on his household. Moses intentionally prepared Joshua. In verse 9 we read thus “Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him.” Anyone who is relieved of a position and cannot have someone else to step in appropriately may be counted as a failure. The Israelites listened to Joshua as they listened to Moses. Spirit led leaders receive grace to raise leaders in their stead.
God personally handled the case of Moses from birth to death. We can package out lives and ministry to have God present for us at all times. This will mark us out and distinguish us.
Question
How do we need to live in order to have God interested in our affairs?
Prayer
Father, may I find you in everything that I do; everywhere I go and everything I become in Jesus name. Amen.
Further Reading:
Daniel 3:19-end, Matt. 5:12-end, Heb. 12:12-end.
ESOCS Devotional 27 August 2026
