Deuteronomy 28:66Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Christ is referenced in this context when He declares, "Thy life shall hang before thee."

He willingly embraces suffering so that through His sacrificial meal, He might redeem us from our own anguish. By replacing the original tree with the tree of the cross, and by nailing to it the hand that once brought sin upon our forefather, He illustrates that genuine life is entirely dependent on Him. While you, O Israel, were unable to partake, we, through profound understanding, have spiritually partaken of Him, and in doing so, we shall not perish.

This phrase, "thy life shall hang before thee," simultaneously alludes to the crucifixion through the term "hang" and to the resurrection with the term "life."

Yet, upon hearing the predictions of death, you might desire to understand the signs of the cross as well. This is not a matter of ambiguity, for it is clearly articulated by the Saints. Moses is the first to prophesy, declaring with certainty, “Ye shall see your ‘belly’ ‘hanging before your eyes,’ and ‘ye shall not believe.’”

This authentic crucifixion... And the esteemed Moses proclaims: ‘Behold your life suspended on a tree right before you.’

He also makes it clear that the Word, who was present at the beginning and brought all things into existence, and who, in the end times, redeems and breathes life into us, is depicted as hanging on a tree, yet they will refuse to have faith in Him. As it is written, ‘Your life shall hang before your eyes, and you shall not believe your life.’

If someone were to claim that this is a fabrication, let me present the witness of the tree of the Cross as foretold by the Prophet. Relating to the life suspended on the tree, Moses mournfully proclaims, “Thy life shall be hanging before thy eyes, and thou shalt be afraid day and night, and thou shalt not be faithful to thy life.” Additionally, the Scripture we have just read asks, “Lord, who has believed our report?” (Isaiah 53:1).

Moses clearly indicates that the existence of all humanity hinges upon this tree, proclaiming, “Ye shall see your life hanging before the sight of your eyes, both night and day, and ye shall tremble, and shall not be sure of your life.” This thought is echoed in Hilary's interpretation, which closely resembles that found in the Paschal Homily of Meliton of Sardis: “And you will see your life hanging before your eyes night and day, and you will not be sure of your life” (10: 13-19) - with the added phrase, “and you will tremble.”

Our Lady, I will witness the arrogance of those who revere the Law of Moses. Indeed, they have come as avengers with the intent to end your life. Moses foretold to Israel: ‘You will see (once) Life on the tree’. Who is this Life? It is My Son and My God.

The afflictions of Christ were foretold. Moses anticipated his crucifixion when he declared, ‘You shall see your life hanging before your eyes.'

Concerning the Crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ, Moses declares, "You behold your Life suspended before you, yet you doubt." If anyone claims that the bronze serpent is referenced, they are clearly misleading, for the Jews had faith in the bronze serpent.

It came to pass: the Source of Life was suspended on the cross, Jesus Christ, and all beheld Him.