The memorable mount where Moses died. It was situated beyond Jordan. The name is derived from a root which signifies to prophecy: whether in allusion to the death of this great man, so called, I presume not to determine. But certain it is, that his death on this mount, and by the express appointment of the Lord, is very singular and striking. The Pisgah view which Moses had of the land of Canaan from this mount, must have been from special assistance from the Lord. We are told that he saw from thence all the land of Gilead unto Dan, and all the land of Naphtali and Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah unto the uttermost sea, together with the south and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar. (Deuteronomy 31:1-3.) So that the extremity on one view could not be well less than three-score miles and on the other more than double that; a thing next to an impossibility had not the Lord, for the purpose, supernaturally assisted him. And is it not so with all the objects of faith? Jesus himself, when beheld by faith, is made lovely indeed to the eye of grace; but to the carnal "there is no beauty that we should desire him."
I cannot dismiss this view of Nebo, and the man of God's privileges upon it, without observing, that all he saw was but a type and shadow of the reality which believers in Christ by faith now enjoy of a better country, which Jesus is gone before to take possession of in their name. Old Testament saints were far less blessed in this particular than New Testament believers. They saw Christ's day afar off, they rejoiced, and were glad. We have seen that day accomplished, and brought nigh, and by faith enter now upon the possession of it in the promises. Oh! for grace then in lively exercise in views more bright and clear than the Pisgah sights from mount Nebo, to set the Lord always before us, and daily to walk by faith in the closest communion and fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ, till the Lord shall take us home to himself in everlasting fruition, that "where he is, there we may be also." Amen.