On the verse: “On that very day, G-d spoke to Mosheh, saying: Ascend to the mountain of Avarim, to Mount Nevo, in the land ... Die on the mountain", Rashi indicates that only in three places in the Torah is the expression "on that same day" used, because in those three places emphasizes the capacity of G-d to publicize the fulfillment of his commandments, even against anything that could prevent it.
The first time was during the generation of the Flood, they wanted to destroy Noah's ark, and G-d brought him in broad daylight. The second was during the departure from Egypt, when Israel left in broad daylight and the Egyptians could not prevent it. And the third time in our parashah: the Children of Israel said, "We will not allow the death of Moshe". He went right up the mountain in the middle of the day!
How can it be that the people of Israel thought to act against G-d's will by trying to prevent Moshe's death? Can man go against the will of the Creator? And what can we learn from this for our daily service to G-d?
The children of Israel were a generation of tzaddikim, and they wholeheartedly believed that G-d's commandments were fully affirmed. But they thought that if Moshe's death was set for this very day, his birthday, at age 120, in the place ordained by G-d, Mount Nevo, to the extent that they prevented him from reaching that mountain on that precise day, the decree would be annulled and Moshe, their teacher would remain with them and lead them. As they understood, G-d arranged for Moshe's death at a certain place and time precisely to give them the opportunity to try to change the facts and to work hard to prevent the decree from being kept. Recognizing the goodness of Moshe, they wanted to save him, they did not sin in that, because they were not ordered to do so, the order was only for Moshe: "G-d said to Moshe ..." and if they prevented him from going up, Moshe would be forced by them and free of all obligation.
In every generation G-d sends a spiritual guide, to lead the Children of Israel in their service to HaShem. That chosen guide deserves to be invested in the soul of Moshe Rabbeinu and his task is to unite, through the teaching of the Torah and the strengthening of the fulfillment of mitzvot, the Children of Israel with G-d. The Children of Israel surrender to their master with all their soul and are not willing to change him. We must learn the extent of their devotion and act, complying with the teachings of Moshe Rabbeinu of the generation according to the general instruction: prepared to receive our righteous Mashiach soon in our day”
