Moses knew the mark which slavery had burned into the souls of the Israelites could not be erased; that only in the third generation would the spirit of freedom and the New Way of Life take possession of the Soul of Israel. Moses went back into the wilderness where that generation which had come out of Egypt lived out their declining years and died, and the next generation, lived and died and then, in the fortieth year after coming out of Egypt, came the third generation. They were the ones elected to enter Caanan, as were Caleb and Joshua of the first generation.
They fought and won many battles and they were proud and they carried their chins high for there were no marks of slavery upon their souls. They had faith in God and in themselves and they had Laws by which they lived and they knew their destiny.
Moses, in his hundred and twentieth year, cares weighed heavily upon him. He summoned Joshua and talked to him like a son. They spoke about all that had happened since they left Egypt. Memories sprang eagerly to their lips for self-expression. One step at a time, they covered the years that were to come and Joshua saw with new clarity what was to be his destiny. In his heart crept sadness for he knew that the Lord had denied to Moses, entry into the Promised Land. There was no sorrow in Moses for he knew his mission had been fulfilled.
No greater glory awaited Moses beyond the Jordan River. There was nothing more for Israel he could do than he had already done. Moses did not cross the river just to die the way of all old men, in weakness and in sickness. His had been a Mighty Power. None should see him die lest the memory of his deeds die with him. Of Moses, there must be a lasting memory, so that those who lived by his Laws would know him well. It was better that he turned his undimmed eyes toward the Mountain with a wistful smile, as he went upwards, ever upwards, till he reached the very peak. There he rested as he gazed at Israel, spread at his feet.
There was humming activity there and there was joyous song and there was laughter of lovers and the healthy, vigorous cries of babes in arms. These were the sounds of a happy people, a New Israel, a Great Israel, his people.
As lightening forked around the Mountaintop, it seemed as if the Heavens opened, and came down and embraced Moses. There he stood, a mighty figure, eternal in his love for mankind.
Exodus 20:5
New International Version
5 “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,”
Exodus 20:5
King James Version
5 “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;”
Exodus 20:5
Living Bible
5 “You must never bow or worship it in any way; for I, the Lord your God, am very possessive. I will not share your affection with any other god!
“And when I punish people for their sins, the punishment continues upon the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of those who hate me;”
Numbers 14:18
New International Version
18 “ ‘The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’ ”
Numbers 14:18
King James Version
18 “The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.”
Numbers 14:18
Living Bible
17-18 “ “Oh, please, show the great power of your patience[a] by forgiving our sins and showing us your steadfast love. Forgive us, even though you have said that you don’t let sin go unpunished, and that you punish the father’s fault in the children to the third and fourth generation.”
Deuteronomy 23:8
New International Version
8 “The third generation of children born to them may enter the assembly of the Lord.”
Deuteronomy 23:8
King James Version
8 “The children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of the Lord in their third generation.”
Deuteronomy 23:8
Living Bible
8 “The grandchildren of the Egyptians who came with you from Egypt may enter the sanctuary of the Lord.”