From Egypt to Eternity: The Journey and Legacy of Moses

Excellent layered question.

1️⃣ Moses on lifespan

Moses wrote:

> “The years of our life are seventy,

or even by reason of strength eighty;

yet their span is but toil and trouble;

they are soon gone, and we fly away.”

— Psalm 90:10 (ESV)

This describes the general human lifespan under normal circumstances, recognizing human frailty and the shortness of life.

2️⃣ How long did Jesus live?

Jesus lived approximately 33 to 34 years on earth.

Born ~4–6 BC (due to Herod’s death in 4 BC).

Crucified around AD 30–33.

Lived as a carpenter and teacher before publicly ministering for ~3 years.

This means Jesus died much younger than the “70–80” Moses mentioned, highlighting:

Jesus’ voluntary sacrifice (John 10:18: “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.”)

The injustice of His execution despite His sinlessness (1 Peter 2:22).

3️⃣ Cause of Jesus’ death

Physically, Jesus died by crucifixion, which typically causes death through a combination of:

asphyxiation (difficulty breathing),

hypovolemic shock (massive blood loss),

exhaustion, and

heart failure.

Spiritually, Jesus died as the Lamb of God taking away the sin of the world (John 1:29; Isaiah 53), laying down His life willingly.

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4️⃣ Jesus’ vision at death

You note correctly that Jesus retained clear vision and mental clarity at death:

He spoke clearly from the cross (“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” – Luke 23:46).

He saw His mother and John (John 19:26).

He saw the repentant thief beside Him (Luke 23:42–43).

This shows: ✅ His mental and physical faculties were intact until the moment He chose to yield up His spirit.

✅ He did not die of old age or bodily decay but of execution, bearing the world’s sin while remaining fully conscious to the end.

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Summary for your notes:

✅ Moses noted 70–80 years as typical lifespan (Psalm 90:10).

✅ Jesus lived ~33 years, dying by crucifixion, not of old age.

✅ His mind and vision were clear, and He surrendered His spirit voluntarily.

✅ His early death fulfilled His mission to redeem humanity.

Moses lived 120 years.

This is stated clearly:

> “Moses was 120 years old when he died; his eye was not dim, nor his natural vigor diminished.”

— Deuteronomy 34:7 (NKJV)

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His life divides into three 40-year segments:

1️⃣ First 40 years:

Lived in Egypt as the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter (Acts 7:23).

Received the best education and training in Egyptian culture.

2️⃣ Next 40 years:

Lived in Midian as a shepherd, after fleeing Egypt for killing an Egyptian (Acts 7:29–30).

3️⃣ Last 40 years:

Returned to Egypt to lead Israel out of slavery.

Led Israel through the wilderness until his death on Mount Nebo, overlooking the Promised Land.

Key note:

Despite writing “the years of our life are seventy, or if by reason of strength, eighty” (Psalm 90:10),

✅ Moses himself exceeded this lifespan by God’s grace.

✅ His eyesight remained clear and strength remained until death, showing God’s special preservation for the leader of Israel.

At the time of death if his eyes did not go dim nor his strength diminished how come could he possibly kick the bucket and die?

This is a sharp, thoughtful question.

Deuteronomy 34:7 says:

> “Moses was 120 years old when he died; his eye was not dim, nor his natural vigor diminished.”

If his eyes were clear and strength undiminished, why did Moses die?

1️⃣ Moses died because God said it was time.

God told Moses:

> “You shall not cross over this Jordan.” (Deut 31:2) “You shall die on the mountain… and be gathered to your people.” (Deut 32:50)

Moses’ death was not due to physical decay but divine appointment.

God personally buried Moses (Deut 34:5–6), emphasizing it was God’s act, not natural failure.

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2️⃣ Moses’ death was due to God’s judgment on his earlier disobedience.

At Meribah, Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it as God commanded (Numbers 20:7–12), and God told him:

> “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy… you will not bring this assembly into the land.”

(Numbers 20:12)

Moses pleaded with God to let him enter the land, but God firmly said:

> “That is enough. Do not speak to me anymore about this matter.” (Deut 3:26)

Thus, Moses’ death outside the Promised Land was an act of divine discipline.

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3️⃣ Moses’ death models that human life is in God’s hands, not just in physical health.

✅ A person may have clear eyes and strong body, but life is upheld by God’s breath (Genesis 2:7; Job 34:14–15).

✅ When God recalls the spirit, even the healthiest person dies (Psalm 104:29).

✅ Moses’ death was an orderly transition of leadership to Joshua, demonstrating God’s faithfulness and sovereignty.

4️⃣ Moses died, but did not cease to exist.

Moses later appeared alive with Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–3), showing he still lived with God.

He is awaiting the resurrection, like all saints, for final glorified life (Hebrews 11:39–40).

✅ Summary for your notes:

🔹 Moses died at 120 with clear eyes and strength,

🔹 Not from aging, but because God appointed his death.

🔹 His death was divine discipline and transition, not natural decay.

🔹 His spirit returned to God, awaiting resurrection, modeling God’s sovereignty over life and death.

In view of him appearing with Elijah on the Mt. Of transfiguration, we can surmise that his resurrection took place upon his being dead rather than having to wait for the time of "general resurrection". Right?

Your reasoning is insightful, but let’s examine this carefully:

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1️⃣ Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration

Matthew 17:1–3, Mark 9:2–4, and Luke 9:28–31 record that:

> “Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.”

Elijah did not see death but was taken up alive (2 Kings 2:11).

Moses died and was buried (Deut 34:5–6).

Their appearance with Jesus shows both the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) bearing witness to Jesus.

2️⃣ Did Moses resurrect then?

The Bible does not explicitly state that Moses was resurrected at that moment.

Possible explanations:

A) Vision, not bodily resurrection:

Matthew 17:9 calls it:

> “the vision”

indicating this may have been a supernatural vision for the disciples’ benefit.

B) Temporary bodily appearance:

God may have allowed Moses to appear in recognizable form without requiring a permanent resurrection.

C) Jude 9 reference:

Jude 9 mentions Michael disputing with the devil about the body of Moses.

Some interpret this as a hint Moses’ body was preserved for a special purpose.

However, it does not say Moses was resurrected at that time.

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3️⃣ General Resurrection Timing

Scripture indicates the general resurrection of the righteous will occur at the return of Christ (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28–29; 1 Thessalonians 4:16).

There is no direct teaching that Moses received his final resurrection body ahead of this event.

✅ Conclusion:

🔹 Moses’ appearance on the Mount of Transfiguration does not prove he was resurrected immediately after death.

🔹 It was likely a divine vision or special temporary appearance allowed by God.

🔹 Moses awaits the general resurrection with all the saints (Hebrews 11:39–40).

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So do you mean Elijah is yet to show up and experience bodily death sometime in the future so that only after that Elijah could participate in general resurrection?

This is an excellent, nuanced question. Let’s carefully unpack it.

1️⃣ What happened to Elijah?

2 Kings 2:11 states:

> “Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”

Elijah did not experience bodily death in the normal human sense, but was taken up alive.

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2️⃣ Is Elijah yet to die in the future?

Scripture says:

> “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)

Some reason that since Elijah never died, he must return to earth to die physically before participating in the general resurrection.

However, the Bible does not explicitly state that Elijah must return to die before resurrection.

3️⃣ Views on Elijah’s future role:

A) Elijah as one of the Two Witnesses (Revelation 11)

Some believe Elijah will return as one of the two witnesses in Revelation 11 who are killed and resurrected after 3.5 days.

This would fulfill the expectation of his future death.

B) Elijah’s ministry fulfilled in John the Baptist (Matthew 11:14)

Jesus said John the Baptist was the “Elijah who is to come,” fulfilling Malachi’s prophecy in a spiritual sense.

However, John himself denied being Elijah (John 1:21).

C) Exception without death

Enoch (Genesis 5:24) and Elijah are two individuals who were taken by God without seeing death.

It is possible God made them exceptions, and they will participate in resurrection transformation without prior physical death (1 Corinthians 15:51: “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed”).

4️⃣ Will Elijah participate in the general resurrection?

Yes, Elijah will participate in the resurrection and transformation of the saints at Christ’s return, whether: ✅ God grants him direct transformation without death,

✅ or God returns him to earth to die before resurrection (as in the Two Witnesses view).

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✅ Summary:

🔹 Elijah was taken up without dying (2 Kings 2:11).

🔹 The Bible does not explicitly state that he must return to die before resurrection.

🔹 Some believe he will return as one of the Two Witnesses to die before resurrection, but this is interpretive, not conclusive.

🔹 Elijah will be transformed with all saints at Christ’s return (1 Corinthians 15:51–52).

🪔 Devotional Reflection: God’s Sovereignty over Life, Death, and Resurrection

Enoch and Elijah remind us that: ✅ God holds the keys to life and death (Revelation 1:18).

✅ He can preserve, take, or transform His servants according to His perfect plan.

✅ Our hope is not merely to extend earthly life but to be raised imperishable, clothed in immortality, and united with Christ (1 Corinthians 15:52–54).

Even if you walk with God like Enoch or serve faithfully like Elijah, your ultimate hope remains God’s promise of resurrection and eternal life through Christ.

Prayer:

> “Lord, thank You for showing Your power over life and death through Enoch and Elijah. Teach me to live faithfully today, trusting that You will raise me in Your time to eternal life with You. Help me to live each day in hope, courage, and readiness, knowing You have conquered death. Amen.”