Why was Moses forbidden from the Promised Land?
Moses was forbidden from the Promised Land because his faith and obedience faltered at the waters of Meribah. The Lord said Moses did not believe Him or sanctify Him before the children of Israel, so Moses would not bring the congregation into the land God had given them.
Les explains that Moses’ exclusion from the Promised Land came down to the same one word, faith. At the waters of Meribah, the Lord told Moses and Aaron that because they did not believe Him to sanctify Him in the eyes of the children of Israel, they would not bring the congregation into the land He had given them. Les says Moses’ faith and obedience faltered; instead of sanctifying God, they did it themselves. He also notes Moses understood he would never see the promised land, and later, at 120 years old, Moses died and God buried him in Mount Nebo. Les applies this as a warning: even stalwart believers can fail in a moment of weakness through a lack of faith.
And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.