April 22, Day 112 – The Caring Hands and Presence of the LORD
- Dr. Eric Stricker
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
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 people saved by the LORD?” (verse 29). Then in chapter 34, we come to the end of Deuteronomy. Here we see that Moses ascends 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); he knew that he would not descend from that mountain. By example, Moses entrusted himself without fear – in life and death – into the caring hands and presence of the LORD. 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 in 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 one’s own self or wealth, and it reveals that we do not need to be rocket-scientists to understand its truth. “People … do not endure” (verse 12). Notice these three lessons: [1] Trusting in myself, I go into eternity like a senseless “beast,” and “death” becomes my “shepherd” (verses 13-14). What an awful prospect – to be shepherded into eternity by death! [2] Trusting in my wealth, I “lack understanding, take nothing with me, leave it all to others, and then die like a beast.” But, [3] 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 the issue of eternity. Jesus promised us the same hope for “God’s children” (Luke 20:36). Here, the Sadducees, quoting Moses, concocted a silly, “life after death” scene – hoping to trap Jesus into a dilemma, but His response is brilliant. Jesus also quoted Moses. The Sadducees … seven husbands! Really? We sometimes see this same thing today among Christians who want to dwell on random nonsense and insignificant issues that lead them to miss the important biblical picture to be grasped. Applying the truth, Jesus corrected the Sadducees’ false ideas 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 into 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 lives are wrapped up in ourselves, our wealth, or our strivings for the same, we are no better than brutes that search all their lives for resources but have no idea why.