Coming today to Deuteronomy 33-34, we observe that, after composing his song and teaching it to the Israelites, Moses now “pronounces a blessing on the Israelite tribes before his death” (verse 1). Moses tells the Israelites – and by extension, those of us who know the Lord - not to worry; “our strength will equal our days” (verse 25). In addition, “the eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (verse 27). From this section, we need to recognize and understand two things: [1] worry robs us of our strength, and [2] there is no safer place to be than under the refuge of God’s everlasting arms. Moses says, “Who is like you, a peoples saved by the LORD?” (verse 29). Then, in chapter 34, we come to the end of Deuteronomy and see that Moses ascended Mount Nebo to view “the whole land – from Gilead to Dan, all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah, as far as the western sea, the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar” (verses 1-3). Humbly, Moses “died there in Moab” (verse 5), and he knew that he would not descend from that mountain. By example, Moses entrusted himself without fear - in life and in death - into the Lord’s caring hands and presence. The book concludes with an epitaph: “No prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt – to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did ih the sight of all Israel” (verses 10-12).
Psalm 49 was written by the Sons of Korah. It teaches us the reality of life and death in this world. It emphasizes the utter futility of trusting in oneself or in one’s wealth, and it reveals that we need not be rocket-scientists to understand its truth. “People … do not endure” (verse 12). Trusting in myself, I go into eternity like a senseless “beast,” and “death” becomes my “shepherd” (verses 13-14). How awful a prospect to be shepherded into eternity by death! Trusting in my wealth, I “lack understanding, take nothing with me, leave it all to others, and then die like a beast.” But, trusting in God, I am redeemed, and He takes “me to Himself” (verse 15). This coincides very well with our reading from the book of Luke today …
In Luke 20:27-21:4, we see that the Psalmist’s thoughts were similar to Christ’s on this issue of going into eternity. Jesus promised us the same hope for “God’s children” (Luke 20:36). Here, the Sadducees, quoting Moses, tried to present a “life after death” scenario that might trap Jesus into a dilemma, but His response is brilliant. Jesus also quoted Moses. The Sadducees’ scenario is really silly - seven husbands!! Really? We sometimes see this same thing today among Christians who want to dwell on random and insignificant things that lead them to miss the bigger biblical picture of what should be noticed. Applying the truth, Jesus corrected the false ideas of the Sadducees about the resurrection - that life does not end; death is merely a “shadow” (cf., Psalm 23). Death’s shadow passes over us and simply transfers us all from this realm of life to the next - regardless of what we believe about it. “To Him, all are alive” (Luke 20:38), and for those of us who are truly His “children,” we go to be with Him. So, according to Psalm 49:5, “why should I fear?” All of our passages today parallel nicely to confirm what God clearly tells us about death - it is not the end. No matter what we do in this world, and no matter how much we accumulate, we will “take nothing” (verse 17) with us when we die. If our life is wrapped up in our wealth or in striving for it, we are no better than animals that search life-long for resources but have no understanding why.
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