Why was Moses forbidden from entering the Promised Land?
Moses was forbidden from entering the Promised Land because his faith and obedience faltered. God said he did not believe Him enough to sanctify Him before the children of Israel, and they acted themselves instead. Therefore, God declared Moses would not bring the congregation into the land He had given them.
Les explains that Moses' failure was ultimately a lack of faith. The text asks, “What faltered? His faith. What faltered? His obedience.” God told Moses and Aaron, “Because you believed me not to sanctify me, instead they did it themselves, in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given unto them.” Les applies this to us: even when we are stalwart and strong, in a moment of weakness our faith fails; every sin that besets us reveals a lack of faith. If we know what God has said, we will not let those things befall us. This occurred at the water of Meribah, where the children of Israel strove, argued, and complained with the Lord, and He was sanctified in them. Moses understood he would never see the promised land, and later, at 120 years old, he died and God buried him in Mount Nebo.
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.