Honored in Death – Deuteronomy 34:10 – 12, Acts 23

W.F Kumuyi

Deuteronomy 34: 10 Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.

Catherine Millard wrote, ‘The Inner Courtroom of the US Supreme Court shows four marble bas-relief panels beneath the ceiling on each of the four walls. (much like the inner court of the temple called the sanctuary, where our conscience judges or convicts us) Each has particular story to tell. The pane directly above the bench where the Chief Justice and the eight Associate Justices are seated depicts “The Power of Government” and “The Majesty of the Law”. Between these two allegorical figures, the Ten commandments stand out in a position of prominence. ‘Justice, the Guardian of Liberty. ‘Is the title of the East pediment of the building, a stark reminder of the origin and basis for our American legal system is depicted in the central figure of Moses holding the two tables of the Old Testament Law, one in either hand. “A relief plaque of Moses is in the Chamber of the United States House of Representatives. It is one of twenty-three marble plaques placed there during the remodeling in 1949 – 1950.

Moses is honored in death. He is remembered as a prophet ‘whom the Lord knew face to face’. Of Importance also is his gentleness, humility and authenticity. God sent him to do unique signs and wonders in Egypt and before all Israel.

Also, Moses and Elijah were the two Old Testament figures who appeared with Christ on the mount of transfiguration (Matthew 17: 1-6). ‘The song of the Lamb’ (Revelation 15: 3). Notably, a plaque honoring Moses is placed conspicuously in the chambers of the US Supreme Court and the House of Representatives. What more incredible honor could there be? Your life is an open book to others who will read of your impact long after you have departed. You will be remembered for what you have done. The best honor is the one that lasts for all eternity, which God gives to his faithful servants in heaven.

Honour is earned and not imposed!

“Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.”  Romans 13:7

To see a typical example of honor imposed we look at the life of Paul in Act 23:

 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.”  (it seems today is conscience day as a pointer to guilt or to God, first David was conscience (2 Samuel 24) stricken and Paul fulfilled his in good conscience). Then the high priest, Ananias commanded that Paul be stricken on the mouth. Paul then says to him ” God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”.

They were violating the law and judging Paul by it! Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!” then Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’^[a]”

Noteworthy, while respect physical laws, we honor spiritual laws and stand on it. Because the spiritual laws supercede the physical laws. Spiritual laws are bounded by love and so set us free in Christ however physical laws keeps us in chained as they are bounded in reasoning, we know but cannot do. The story of the bond woman and the free woman. Galatians 4:23-31, Romans 8 for more information.

Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” ⁷ When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. ⁸ (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)

we see the religious leaders were asking Paul to honor the position of the high priest; however, Paul referenced the scriptures that said one is not to speak evil about their ruler and apologized thereafter. Paul honored the scriptures not the position however they wanted him to do the opposite.

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