God condemns the people of Israel because they do not trust Him and are ungrateful. At every difficulty, they grumble against the Lord and want to give up. After learning the land they wish to inhabit is populated by many strong tribes, they immediately lose all faith and beg to return to Egypt. In Numbers 14:11, God says to Moses “how long will they have no faith in Me despite all the signs that I have performed in their midst?” They do not appreciate or praise the Lord for rescuing them out of slavery in Egypt, but rather actually profane His kindness by begging to return. They lack faith that they will prevail even though they have the power of God backing them in their endeavour. Moses too is punished on their account, but he too loses faith at times, although not to the same extent. Moses’ death could also signify that Israel will need a new kind of leader as they transition out of the wilderness and into the promised land.
The Pentateuch closes with the death of Moses because his death marks the end of the wilderness generation. The death of that sinful generation means that Israel may be resurrected. The people can start anew in upholding their covenant with God in the promised land finally.
The closing passage of Deuteronomy 34 foreshadows what is to come in the book of Joshua. We are told that no prophet will be as great as Moses, which incites doubt in Joshua’s ability to lead israel. However, the closing passage still provides hope that Joshua will not fail since he was filled by Moses’ spirit of wisdom.
Julia Dubuque 
I like how you connected Moses death with the Israelites starting God’s covenant “anew” in the promised land. Your insight on Joshuas leadership role in the last paragraph was also insightful. When you state that Moses too is punish on account of the Israelites, in what way?
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I like how you talked about the condemnation being due to the people losing faith in God and I agree with that. When I read the reading I did not realize that the Wilderness generation was over when Moses died, but you are definitely right. Do you think Joshua will continue the legacy and values Moses had?
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How do you think it should be interpreted that Moses had, himself, lost faith in the covenant of God–even at one point telling God that if He is to treat him that way then he would rather be dead? This is a difficult question considering the prophets are supposed to be the best servants of the Lord? Why would he be considered the best prophet as was described in the end of Deuteronomy, if he had lost faith in God at various points? is it simply because he learnt to trust Him again?
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I like your connection between the whole nation of Israel being part of the “death and resurrection” theme, not just the beloved son figures. What is the significance of an entire people undergoing death and resurrection? Is it found in the foreshadowing in Deuteronomy? Why must the people die and come back if they are destined to be sinners again?
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