For God's people, suffering is never about the suffering. God doesn't cause us pain because he wants to hurt us. Because of his disobedience, Moses wasn't allowed to enter the Promised Land, but it wasn't because God was being vindictive.

Rather, all things work together for the good of his Kingdom. Moses couldn't lead Israel across the Jordan because he wasn't qualified to lead in these new conditions. Moses' purpose was to transform Israel from slaves into God's conquerors. Joshua's purpose was to lead them in battle. Israel needed Joshua, and Moses' presence in the camp would have divided the people's loyalty and distracted them from their new purpose.

A new purpose and mode of existence often requires new leadership, without implying anything negative about the old leadership.