Moses begged YHVH to allow him to see the Holy Land in a rather peculiar manner.

"Let me pass over and see this good land that is on the other side of the Jordan, this good mountain and the Lebanon."  (Deut 3:25)

Why did Moses want to see Lebanon and what did YHVH actually show him?  

YHVH granted Moses only part of this request.  He instructed Moses to climb to the top of a mountain to see the land but he was not permitted to enter.  Note the directions that YHVH told Moses to look:

"Climb to the top of the mountain, and lift up your eyes to the west, north, south and east, and see with your eyes, for you will not cross the Jordan."  (Deut 3:27)

The Bethel Connection

Abraham built an altar at Bethel and called out in YHVH's Name.  (Gen 12:1-8)   Upon his return from Egypt, after Lot left him, Abraham returned to Bethel, where YHVH confirmed His promise that this Land will one day become the homeland of his offspring.

"YHVH said to Abram after Lot had left him: lift up your eyes and see from the place where you are, to the north and south, east and west, for this land that you see I will give to you and your offspring."  (Gen 13:14-16)

Note how YHVH told Abraham to lift up his eyes and look in all four directions, just as He later told Moses.  We find one additional instance where these four directions were mentioned in relation to Bethel.

Jacob, running away from Esau, stopped overnight at Bethel, where YHVH appeared to him in a dream and confirmed His promise to continue His covenant with Abraham.  In this blessing as well, we find all four directions in connection with Bethel:

"Your offspring will be like the dust of the earth, and spread out to the west and east, north and south, and through you will be a blessing to all the nations on the earth".  (Gen 28:10-15)

These are the only times in Torah where the 'four directions' are found.  The reference concerning   Jacob is most significant, for when he awoke from his dream he made a special promise concerning this site.

"Jacob awoke in the morning and took the rock that was by his head and erected it as a monument and anointed it with oil.  Then he named this place Bethel... and he vowed that when he returns, this monument will become a Bet Elohim - a House for YHVH - the Temple."  (Gen 28:18-21)

These verses establish a connection between Bethel, where Abraham was instructed to look in all four directions and Jacob was promised that he would spread out in all four directions, and build a House for YHVH - Bethel.

Bethel was where man could establish a connection to YHVH through Prayer and Faith.

When Moses requested to see the good mountain he wanted to 'see' Bethel (in a vision) and the fulfilment to Jacob's dream and Abraham's vision.  When he requested to see Lebanon - he was looking forward to the Temple that will one day be constructed from the wood of the cedars of Lebanon.  (I Kings 5:16-32)