Yes, Deuteronomy 32 again, the Book’s great antepenultimate chapter! The word means “next to the next to the last.” Here’s the etymology: “ante” means “before,” from Latin. “Pen” (“paene”), Latin again, meaning “almost.” Then a word we all know, “ultimate,” meaning “the last.”
Put it all together: the one “almost before the last!” Third from the last!
Don’t you enjoy vocabulary?
Today we’re noticing a line of thought from Deuteronomy 32, verses 48-50. Here’s the Holy Spirit’s inspired Narrative: “And the Lord spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying, GET THEE UP into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession: AND DIE in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people.”
Wow!
Moses is now 120 years old.
Yet “strong” for his age.
Proof?
The verb “get (thee) up” in our Text is “alah,” meaning “to climb!” Twelve decades he’s been on earth, Moses, and he’s still a mountain climber! (Remember Sinai?)
Why is Moses to scale this mountain?
To die!
Yes: “Get thee up into this mountain … unto mount Nebo; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession: AND DIE in the mount whither thou goest up.”
Based on this account, Moses died on command! (Deuteronomy 32:5 … “So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.” King James Version)
But more about that in a day or two.
Here’s today’s point. Though most of us age and weaken and then die, some stay strong and active … until the end (or virtually the end) of earthly life!
When Moses died, the Bible is clear: “And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.” Deuteronomy 34:7, meaning his eyesight was still 20/20 and his strength was still at a maximum!
Now … I am remembering a prayer, really a blessing I guess, God (through Moses) pronounced on the Jewish children of Asher, one of Jacob’s sons. “And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil. Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and AS THY DAYS, SO SHALL THY STRENGTH BE.” Deuteronomy 33:24-25, note the capital letters, that clause!
Strong … to the end!
Folks, I really believe Jesus died (on the Cross) in like fashion!
Matthew 27:50 … “When He had cried again WITH A LOUD VOICE, yielded up the ghost.” Men who have been nailed to crosses for (six) hours DO NOT normally have “loud voices!”
Our STRONG Lord!
Then Psalm 92 comes to mind, I trust being an encouragement to someone reading here today. “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in OLD AGE; they shall be fat and flourishing.” Psalm 92:12-15
Wow!
Old, like the majestic cedar trees, fragrant and strong and beneficial to its surroundings! For a century and a half anyway, 150 years plus! Old, like the (still) fruit bearing palm trees! Some of which are fruitful for 90-100 years! Sure beats a tomato plant!
Moses.
Jesus.
Asher.
Creation, trees anyway.
I am probably misapplying the verse right now. But I am thinking of John 10:10, which proves God can (and does) give life. But not just “life” … meaningful life, exuberant life, abundant life! As well as everlasting Life!
“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10, Jesus speaking.
Today, no matter the number of our years … let’s ENJOY the life God has so graciously given us, and our strength too … no matter the level on which it exists.
Amen!
I’m going to eat (enjoy) breakfast now!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
The Lord willing!