Deuteronomy 32:50. "[A]nd die on the mountain which you ascend, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died in Mount Hor and was gathered to his people [.]"

Our God is so gentle and kind, even in His justice! Moses had been so faithful to God, and led God's people all the way to Canaan, the Promised Land, but he did break faith with God once - when at Meribah he struck the rock. This seemingly minor transgression was made much worse because it was done by Moses, with whom God had a very special relationship. Moses was to be showing the people that at all times God can be trusted for all of their needs, and Moses knew this to be true. So justice demanded a sacrifice for this transgression, and God told Moses he would die before entering the Promised Land. But how gentle God is with Moses when the time comes for his death! God leads him up a mountain, closer to Himself. He allows Moses to see Canaan and to know that the Israelites will get there. And he says Moses will be gathered to his people, just as his brother Aaron was. What a beautiful death! What a lovely promise!

We all deserve justice, and will receive it, but we should not fear it, ever. God loves us and, even in His justice, has great mercy.