Faith Daily Lectio Sunday, November 1, 2026 Old Testament
Sunday, November 1, 2026 · All Saints' Day
Old Testament
Oratio (prayer)
Lord God, You showed Moses the land of promise and took him to Yourself. Send Your Holy Spirit as I read Deuteronomy 34 on this All Saints' Day, that I may trust Your promise for all who die in the Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Meditatio (meditation)
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
1And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan,
2And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea,
3And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar.
4And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.
5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.
6And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.
7 And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
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 were ended.
9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.
10 And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,
11In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land,
12And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.
Consider even rereading in another translation.
You could also consider listening to this chapter, narrated:
KJV (Max McLean) · ESV (Max McLean) · NIV (dramatized)
You might read the whole reading slowly, aloud, more than once.
Consider this verse, for example:
“his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated” (Deuteronomy 34:7)
What other lines speak to you?
From the top of Pisgah the LORD shows Moses the whole land He swore to give to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses sees it, but he does not go over. He dies there in Moab, according to the word of the LORD, and the LORD buries him in a place no one knows. Israel mourns him thirty days. Joshua, full of the spirit of wisdom, now leads the people. The book closes by saying that no prophet has arisen like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face.
The Law Even Moses, the great servant of the LORD, hears, "thou shalt not go over thither" (v. 4). Death comes to all, even to the faithful, and it comes "according to the word of the LORD" (v. 5). The Law given through Moses could show the promised land, but it could not bring anyone in.
The Gospel Yet the LORD Himself cares for His servant: "he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab" (v. 6). God does not abandon His saints in death. A greater Prophet than Moses has come. Jesus, whose name is the same as Joshua's, leads His people over into the true land of promise. Moses himself stood with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration. On All Saints' Day we give thanks that all who die in the Lord are with Him, and their rest is secure. That promise is for you.
Prayer Lord God, I confess that I fear death and forget Your promise. Forgive me for Jesus' sake. Thank You for keeping all Your saints, and bring me at last with them into the land You have prepared. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Tentatio (trial)
Grief over those we have lost is real. Israel "wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days" (v. 8). Under trial it may help to know that mourning is not a lack of faith. Our tears are held by the One who knew Moses "face to face" (v. 10), and who will wipe away every tear.
Prayer Lord, comfort me as I remember those who have died in the faith. Let me grieve with hope, and keep me in Your Word until I see You face to face. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.
My church home: Peace Lutheran Church, McMurray, PA. Looking for a church? See About Daily Lectio.
