Jude 1:9 - Body of Moses
Jude 1:9: “But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, 'The Lord rebuke you!'”
Introduction:
This verse ascertains the truth that there are angels, archangels, and devils and the LORD. The Lord has concern for the dead bodies of the saints. No one has the power to curse or condemn except God. The Lord has absolute power to punish.
Archangel Michael:
Prince of angels. A passage in Tobit 12:15-22 indicates seven archangels exist. There are seven archangels namely, Michael (Fighter), Gabriel (Angel of Good News), Raphael (Encourager of praise and worship), Uriel (Angels of riddles - 2 Esdras 4:1-8,36), Camael (Angel brings peace), Jophiel (Angel of Beauty and Positivity), and Azrael (Angel of death in Exodus killed during the tenth plague, and during the time of David). Cherubim Angels are associated with holiness and guarding against sin (Exodus 25:18). Seraphim are Six-winged angels who sing God’s praises without ceasing (Isaiah 6:1-2). Principalities and Powers are the other ranks of angels (Colossians 1:16).
The word “archangel” is used only five times in the Holy Scripture (Daniel 10:13, 10:21; 12:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and Jude 9). Every time it is used, it is singular. Michael means, "who is as God", or who is as God, or like unto him. Michael is presented as an archangel, usually fighting the Devil and his forces (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1; Revelation 12:7–9).
Body of Moses:
According to Exodus 34: 6, The Lord buried Moses in a valley, in the land of Moab, and no one knew of his Sepulchre. Moses, the great leader of Israel, died on the way to the Promised Land. He was buried by the Lord in an unknown place (Deuteronomy 34:1–6). There was a dispute about either the burying of his body, or taking it up again; Satan on the one hand insisted upon taking it up, in order to induce the Israelites to worship him, But Michael, on the other hand, opposed it, to prevent this idolatry. There is a non-scriptural book known to the Jews titled “The Ascension of Moses.” But Jude wrote neither by tradition nor by apocryphal fable, but as he was “moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21).
Rabbinische Quellen:
“Moses prayed that if he might not enter into the Promised Land, he might at least be allowed to live; but God told him that unless he died in this world, he could have no life in the world to come, and commanded Gabriel to fetch his soul. Gabriel shrank from the task. Michael was next bidden to go, and he too shrank; and then the command was given to Sammael, who found him with his face shining as the light, and he was afraid and trembled. He told him why he had come, and Moses asked him who had sent him, and he answered that he was sent by the Creator of the Universe. But Moses still held out, and Sammael returned with his task unfulfilled. And Moses prayed, ‘Lord of the World, give not my soul over to the Angel of Death.” And there came a voice from Heaven, ‘Fear not, Moses, I will provide for thy burial,’ and Moses stood up and sanctified himself as do the Seraphim, and the Most High came down from Heaven and the three chief angels with Him. Michael prepared the bier and Gabriel spread out the winding sheet.… And the Most High kissed him, and through that kiss took his soul to Himself” (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges).
Not condemn:
This Jewish traditional story refers that the Archangel Michael and the Devil had engaged in a dispute about the burial of Moses' body. Jude refers to that book. The key point here is that Michael, despite being a powerful being himself, refused to slander the Devil.
The Lord Rebuke You:
A commentator Charles “summarises the fragments dealing with the funeral of Moses: (1) Michael is commissioned to bury Moses, (2) Satan opposes his burial on the ground: he claims to be the lord of matter (hence the body should be handed over to him). To this claim, Michael replies, “The Lord rebuke thee, for it was God’s spirit which created the world and all mankind”. (b) He brings the charge of murder against Moses (the answer to this is wanting).” (Expositor’s Greek Testament). That the devil urged that his murder of the Egyptian (Exodus 2:12) had deprived him of the right of the tomb.
I don't want any confrontation with the devil! I always want the Lord between me and the devil. I wouldn't say, "I rebuke thee, Satan!" Who am I to rebuke him? He'd say, "Who are you? Get the Lord between him and me! That I can handle. So, Michael said, "The Lord rebuke thee."(Zechariah 3:2) It is dangerous for us to confront Satan directly and to argue with him since he is much stronger than we are. But, the filthy dreamers, false teachers of his days were speaking evil of the dignity; they were speaking evil of the church leadership, of the apostles. Be careful while commenting on the servants of God. Better leave it to the Lord in prayer. The Lord would take control of Satan and his plans.
Conclusion: We need to be careful when we deal with the enemies and others who create trouble for us.
(Ref: Bibleref.com; Christianity.com; Bible study tools; Biblehub.com; Study light)
