Deuteronomy 34: 1-12 (links validated 9/10/23)

You recognize the name of Rev. Desmond Tutu. Known for his powerful non-violent leadership in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, he became bishop of Johannesburg and later the Archbishop of Cape Town, in both cases he was the first black African to hold the position. I was blessed to hear him preach on a couple of occasions. He could remain calm and composed in the face of soldiers occupying a sanctuary, but he was also an excited and joyful preacher, especially when he got warmed up on his favorite subject which was the love of God. Someone once asked him about a defining moment in his life. He told a story from his childhood. One time, when he and his mother were walking down a sidewalk, a tall white man was approaching them. Under the rules of apartheid, it was expected that Desmond and his mother would step into the gutter and nod their heads in deference as the white man passed. But this white man was different, and to their surprise he stepped off the pavement and tipped his hat as they passed him. The man was an Anglican priest called Trevor Huddleston who was bitterly opposed to apartheid. When Desmond’s mother explained to him that Huddleston was a ‘man of God’ he made up his mind there and then to become an Anglican priest just like him.[4] The tip of the hat, the simple act of kindness and dignity, confirmed for Desmond that he was a child of God. I cannot think of a better example of someone who lived into that identity...

Scholars of Christianity and popular culture have made numerous links between the story of Simba in The Lion King with the life of Moses. Growing up with privilege but run out of town after a shameful accusation, Simba sees his people oppressed by the evil Scar and has to grow up and step up into leadership in order to save his people. If you choose to “eulogize” Moses in your sermon on the text eulogizing Moses, this overlay may prove helpful. Or you could always turn to the more obvious choice: The Prince of Egypt.

Have you ever thought about what you want someone to inscribe on your tombstone? Not your pizza, but your gravestone? After all, epitaphs, inscriptions on gravestones, can run from the humorous to cynical to serious. A few are humorous. One of my favorites is Winston Churchill’s: “I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.” W.C. Fields reportedly once said that he’d like his headstone to read: “Here lies W.C. Fields. On the whole, I’d rather be in Philadelphia.”...

In Deut. 32, we hear the bitter Song of Moses. But as we have pondered Moses’ life, I wonder if his life isn’t summed up better in a more recent song. “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me; I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see. Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. ‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”

You can learn a lot from obituaries and epitaphs written on tombstones. Listen to these real messages found on tombstones: Side by side are found these "his and hers" messages. HIS was dated Sept 15, 1854: Stop here my friend and cast an eye. As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so shall you be. Prepare for death, and follow me. HERS, dated April 12 1859: To follow you I'm not content Until I know Which way you went. [Source unknown] In a Ribbesford, England, cemetery is found this tribute to Anna Wallace: The children of Israel wanted bread And the Lord sent them manna, Old clerk Wallace wanted a wife, And the Devil sent him Anna. One creative man decided to play a game with his name in a Ruidoso, New Mexico, cemetery: Here lies Johnny Yeast Pardon me For not rising. A Uniontown, Pennsylvania cemetery contains a memory of the manner of death: Here lies the body of Jonathan Blake Stepped on the gas Instead of the brake. Lester Moore was a Wells, Fargo Co. station agent for Naco, Arizona in the cowboy days of the 1880's. He's buried in the Boot Hill Cemetery in Tombstone, Arizona: Here lies Lester Moore Four slugs from a .44 No Les No More. On Margaret Daniels grave at Hollywood Cemetery Richmond, Virginia: She always said her feet were killing her but nobody believed her. In a Georgia cemetery is a simple message: "I told you I was sick!" Well, we can learn as much about Moses from his obituary too...

("I once had the chance to hear presidential historian and biographer Robert Dallek give a lecture. Dallek has written many books but received a lot of attention a few years ago for his very fine biography of John F. Kennedy titled An Unfinished Life...")

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