The mysterious dispute between the archangel Michael and Satan over the body of Moses is referenced in Jude 9: “But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” This strange incident raises many questions for Bible readers. Why were these two spiritual beings arguing over Moses’ body? What was the nature of their dispute? And what was its eventual outcome?
To properly understand this cryptic passage, we must first look at the context. The book of Jude was written to warn against false teachers who had crept into the early church. In verses 5-7, Jude reminds believers of God’s past judgments against rebellion. He then declares in verse 8 that in the same way, these ungodly men will face God’s condemnation for rejecting authority and blaspheming the glorious ones (likely a reference to angels).
After stating this warning, Jude provides an example of this blasphemous rejection of authority described in verse 8. He points to an incident where the archangel Michael confronted Satan about Moses’ body. Rather than bring a slanderous judgment against Satan, Michael deferred to the Lord’s authority saying, “The Lord rebuke you.”
The Death and Burial of Moses
To grasp the context of this dispute, we must start with the death of Moses recorded in Deuteronomy 34:5-8. After Moses viewed the Promised Land from Mount Nebo, Scripture states that he died and was buried in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor. Yet no one knew the location of his tomb. It was kept hidden.
Why? Most likely because the Israelites might have been tempted to worship Moses’ body as an idol or relic. We see hints of this tendency towards idolatry in the golden calf incident at Sinai. The Israelites were prone to substitute Moses and the visible for God and the invisible. So God purposefully kept Moses’ burial place secret.
The Assumption of Moses
This hidden burial led to a Jewish tradition that God had taken or “assumed” Moses’ body and brought it directly to heaven. We find references to this belief in later apocryphal writings like The Assumption of Moses and the Book of Enoch.
The Assumption of Moses states: “Then the chiefs of the elders of the people gathered together and came to Mount Sinai. And when God saw them proceeding thither, He said to Michael: ‘Go say to them, turn back, for the time has not yet come. But you shall come here with my just one, and I will give command concerning him who is to instruct them.’” In this account, Moses was brought to heaven alive.
Possible Background of Jude 9
Given this Jewish tradition of Moses’ assumption or heavenly burial, many scholars believe Jude is referencing an apocryphal story where Satan hindered Michael from delivering Moses’ body to heaven. Satan apparently objected to Moses receiving such an honor since he was both a murderer (of the Egyptian in Exodus 2:12) and a sinner (as stated in Hebrews 3:2–6).
Michael likely argued that Moses’ repentance, obedience, and service to God had made him worthy of this special treatment. But the archangel did not dare to condemn Satan since he recognized that only the Lord had the authority to rebuke the accuser. So Michael deferred to the Lord as the only One able to condemn Satan’s opposition and rightly determine Moses’ final disposition.
Why Did Jude Reference This Story?
Jude cited this apocryphal story to illustrate the larger issue he was confronting in the church. False teachers were rejecting authority and blaspheming angelic majesties (Jude 8). Like Satan, they arrogantly stood in judgment over things they did not understand.
In contrast, Michael the archangel humbly deferred to the Lord’s judgment when opposed by Satan. Jude calls believers to demonstrate the same humility, reverence, and submission to the Lord’s sovereign authority regarding matters beyond their comprehension.
The false teachers were ignorant yet proudly speaking against truths above their pay grade. But Michael, though exalted in honor above Satan, wisely left judgment to God alone. He would not speak blasphemously against the accuser. This example was meant both to expose the pride of the false teachers as well as remind believers that only the Lord has the right to condemn.
1. Satan’s Opposition to Moses’ Honorable Disposition
Examining Jude 9, we see that Satan opposed Moses receiving special treatment in burial. As the accuser, Satan likely argued that Moses’ sins made him unworthy of an honorable heavenly disposition. He was a lawbreaker and murderer and therefore deserved no special favor. The Devil stood in judgment, declaring Moses worthy of condemnation, not honor.
But note that even for holy Moses, his right standing before God was not based on his own righteousness, but on God’s grace and sovereign choice to show mercy to him:
Hebrews 3:2-6 -[Moses] was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years.
Moses was an unworthy sinner shown mercy, being faithful as a servant in God’s house. This honored position was by grace despite Moses’ failures. Jude says even the exalted Michael recognized his limits in opposing Satan’s accusations against Moses. The matter required the Lord’s judgment, not his own.
2. Michael’s Restraint from Condemning Satan
Michael contended with Satan over Moses’ body but had the wisdom not to condemn him:
Jude 1:9 – But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.”
Rather than say, “I condemn you Satan,” he deferred ultimate judgment to the Lord, saying, “The Lord rebuke you.” This showed Michael’s humility and restraint from rushing to judgment of matters above his authority.
In this, Michael was unlike the false teachers whom Jude condemns, who arrogantly presumed to judge things they did not rightly understand. They rejected authority and spoke against angelic majesties, though they were ignorant in such matters. Michael provides a positive contrast.
3. Lessons from Michael’s Wise Restraint
So what lessons can be drawn from Michael’s restraint in Jude 9?
First, Michael respects the office of the accuser who brings charges against God’s people. Satan held a position appointed by God, even if he exercised that position wrongly with evil motives. The role of accuser is at times a valid and necessary one. Thus Michael does not presume to condemn and silence Satan, leaving judgment to God.
Second, Michael understands judgment is ultimately the Lord’s domain. He does not rush to condemn Satan, realizing only the Lord has the full authority and insight to justly rebuke the accuser. This models humility and restraint even from pronouncing judgment against obvious evil.
Third, Michael’s actions remind us that just rebuke requires God’s authority. Even when Satan’s accusations against Moses were likely unwarranted, Michael did not take it upon himself to defend Moses. He waited on the Lord, who alone could justly condemn or justify.
Likewise, we should be cautious to avoid hasty condemnation of others due to limited perspective. Patience and humility are needed, leaving rigorous judgment to God and those in rightful authority.
4. Divine Judgment against False Teachers
After the example of Michael’s restraint, Jude goes on to pronounce woe upon the prideful false teachers for their willful rebellion which mirrored that of Cain, Balaam, and Korah:
Jude 1:11 – Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion.
Unlike Michael, these ungodly men rushed headlong into condemnation, rejecting authority and speaking evil of angelic majesties:
Jude 1:8 – Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.
Therefore, just divine judgment would come upon them for their arrogance, greed, and rebellion. The Lord Himself would rebuke them in due time.
Michael’s example highlights their folly. Even an exalted archangel showed restraint and deferred to the Lord when opposed. How much more should these false teachers have refrained from proudly condemning things they did not understand or had no authority over.
5. Leaving Judgment to the Only Wise God
The dispute over Moses’ body powerfully reinforces a key truth – only the Lord has the perfect insight and authority to render condemnatory judgment:
Jude 1:24-25 – Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Like Michael, we should learn restraint in rushing to judgment against others. The Lord alone has the wisdom and authority as the only God to render perfect justice in the end. This applies both to those who deserve rebuke and those needing mercy. God will judge all unrighteousness but also show grace to the undeserving who trust in Christ.
Therefore, we must refrain from condemning what we do not properly understand, even when standing against obvious sin. All will answer to the Lord who judges justly by the perfect standard of His righteousness and truth. We simply need humility to trust God’s sovereign authority over all judgment, just as Michael did.
6. Moses: A Recipient of God’s Mercy and Grace
Finally, this passage contains a powerful lesson about God’s mercy and grace through Jesus Christ. Both Michael and Satan were contending over Moses’ body. One wanted to honor it, the other condemn it as unworthy. This reminds us that none of us are worthy in ourselves to stand righteous before God.
Like Moses, we are all sinners saved by grace. Jude makes this very point in verses 22-23, calling believers to have mercy on those doubting and save others with fear from the fire. All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, yet are justified freely through Christ (Romans 3:23-24). This includes great saints like Moses.
In the end, Moses’ honor came not from his own merit but from the gracious choice of God to show him mercy despite his flaws. We must remember this Gospel truth – that we are all unworthy sinners made clean before God by His grace alone. Thanks be to Christ for bearing the judgment that we deserved!
7. Conclusion
The mysterious event described in Jude 9 powerfully illustrates key spiritual truths:
- No one should rush to condemn matters above their understanding or authority. Even Michael deferred ultimate judgment to God alone.
- Pride leads people to reject authority and evilly condemn things not theirs to judge.
- Divine justice will rebuke the wicked, vindicating God’s holiness.
- We must remember our limits and lean wholly on God’s mercy in Christ since none are righteous before Him.
Though the original context of the dispute over Moses’ body remains uncertain, Jude skillfully used this illustration to rebuke prideful unbelief and remind us of God’s severe judgment against rebellion as well as His gracious redemption offered in the Gospel. Let us therefore humble ourselves before the Lord, leaving all judgment to Him, and gratefully receiving new life through faith in Jesus Christ.