---------Moses and Satan----------

Have you ever wondered why God buried Moses not allowing the whereabouts of Moses's grave to be known to anyone?

Deut. 34:5-7 states So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day. Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished.

I've often wondered about that and it is my belief that if the people of the world knew where Moses was buried, many would visit his grave and worship him. Moses was not a god, but a servant of God. God is very jealous and the only being truly worthy of being worshipped. God knew that people would want to worship Moses so he intentionally hid Moses.

Also, there are forces in this world driven by hatred (such as radical Islam) that would want to desecrate the grave of Moses. What about archaeologists and scientists? They would love to study the body of Moses. Some would want to perform an autopsy (if they possibly could) just to determine the cause of death.

It is interesting to note that Michael, the archangel, had to argue with Satan over the body of Moses. Since Satan is the root cause of sin which results in death, Satan is saying that the dead belong to him (their physical not their spiritual bodies). Jude 1:9 reads Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"

It is interesting to note that Moses appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus and Elijah. Matthew 17: 1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid." 8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead."

Peter, James, and John were on the Mount of Transfiguration when Moses and Elijah appeared in glory with Jesus. However, they slept through most of the event which leads me to believe that Satan was there also. Have you ever tried to pray and fallen asleep in the middle of the prayer? When we are about to discover a great spiritual truth, Satan interferes, trying to prevent it from happening. Peter, James, and John couldn't stay awake when Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane just before he was arrested and crucified.

Moses has always been a thorn in Satan's side. Pharaoh, a type of antichrist, tried to destroy the Israelites after he had let them go on their way. God parted the Red Sea for Moses and allowed his chosen people to cross. The entire Egyptian army drowned in that same Red Sea. An eternal spiritual law is in effect and was demonstrated here. God said he would bless those who blesses Israel (the Jewish people) and curse those who curse the Israelites. That is why the nations who continually try to destroy Israel and send in suicide bombers are doomed. They are bringing divine judgment on themselves.

Moses is going to be one of two witnesses during the coming tribulation preaching to the world telling them to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. He will again be a thorn in Satan's side. Satan will be using the Antichrist and the False Prophet to deceive the world in an effort to be worshipped while, at the same time, destroying Israel. Satan tried to destroy the Jewish race during the Holocaust but his efforts actually helped the Jews return again to the nation of Israel. Satan will fail miserably during the tribulation but he will lead many people to eternal death (separation from God).

Jesus is Jewish. Blessed be the name of Jesus. Those who curse His name are destined to spend eternity apart from God. Moses said to choose either death or life but choose. You can't straddle the fence. Which have you chosen?

--------Bible Quiz--------

1. When Saul delayed an attack on the Philistines and offered a burnt sacrifice himself instead of waiting for Saul to do it, Samuel reproved him, saying the Lord sought: A. an honest man B. peace in our time C. a man after his own heart D. to put him through his paces

2. David led a rebellion against Saul and even joined the Philistines in opposing him. When the news reached David that Saul and his heir Jonathan had been killed in battle, he exclaimed: A. Will wonders never cease? B. Fortune favors the brave. C. How are the mighty fallen! D. They were good men and true.

3. When Hezekiah, king of Judah, was dying, the prophet Isaiah came to him and said he should: A. set his house in order B. say his prayers C. repent, for the end is near D. fight to the last gasp

4. Spies sent into Jericho by Joshua were discovered but escaped when they were hidden by: A. the princess Hadassah B. the prophetess Deborah C. the harlot Rehab D. the innkeeper Vashti

5. The Canaanites sent their war captain Sisera to drive the Hebrews back. As his army was being defeated, he fled on foot, finally reaching the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber, who: A. pulled him inside, then lied to the pursuing Hebrews B. burned down her tent to prevent him from hiding. C. lulled him to sleep, then drove a nail through his temple. D. comforted him at her bosom and ran away with him.

6. When Gideon tore down the altar of Baal, he was frightened by the ferocity of the Gentiles' anger against him, and to make sure he really was chosen by God for his mission he devised the test of: A. the lion and the rope B. the fleece and the dew C. the calf and milk D. the rainbow and dawn.

7. Jephtahah, called to defeat the Ammonites, gave a vow to the Lord that if he won he would: A. Sacrifice whatever first came out of his house to geet him B. Destroy all the temples of the heathen C. Shave his head and dedicate his life to the Lord D. Slaughter a hundred cattle and three hundred sheep for a feast.

8. An angel of the Lord appeared to Samson's mother and told her: A. Behold...thou shalt conceive and bear a son. B. You will raise up a mighty man of valor. C. You will weep and gnash your teeth. D. Flee, for the wrath of the Lord be upon you.

9. Naomi told Ruth to make her desire for Boaz known to him by: A. Lifting her veil in his presence B. Lying at his feet while he slept. C. Following him while he reaped his corn D. Weaving for him a coat of many colors.

10. Before David cam to the attention of the royal court he was known as a: A. harpist B. potential rival C. disciple of Samuel D. composer of psalms

-----------Answers To Previous Bible Quiz------------

1. Soon after he arrived in Egypt and made a success of himself, Joseph was tossed into prison by his master, Potiphar, because: A. Potiphar's wife accused him of attempted rape.

2. On his way to Egypt to confront Pharaoh, Moses was nearly killed by God because: A. He had not circumcised his son.

3. God sent 10 plagues over Egypt to break Pharaoh's stubborn will in refusing to release the Hebrews. Which of these was not one of the plagues? C. Infestation of Ants.

4. As they crossed the desert from the oasis at Elim to Mt. Sinai, the Israelites ran out of food. To quiet their complaining, the Lord provided them with: D. Manna

5. There is only one instance in the Bible where God manifests himself on earth and does not speak. It is: B. When the seventy elders of Israel break bread on Mt. Sinai.

6. Which of these is not one of the Ten Commandments? A. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

7. God commanded the Hebrews to establish three national feast days to celebrate annually. Which was not one of those days? D. Hanukkah

8. When the Hebrews settled in Canaan they were unable to dislodge many of the native tribes, and in fact began to make pacts with them in disobedience of God's will. God told them these people would be C. Thorns in their sides.

9. After the death of her husband and two married sons, the widowed Naomi returned to Judah. Her daughter-in-law, a Moabite and also a widow, insisted on going with her, saying: C. Whither thou goest, I will go.

10. When the tribes of Israel gathered, Samuel, acting at God's command, picked from the tribe of Benjamin a man named Saul to be the new king, and the people responded: A. God save the king.

Copyright 2003 by Gary Goodworth