Let us then return to the outset of Moses' story.
While those who present the entirety of Moses' life as a blueprint of virtue do not require extensive commentary, he who strives for a higher existence will find this narrative a rich source of motivation for true nobility. Conversely, one who is fatigued in the pursuit of virtue will find no benefit in an abundance of written praise unless he discards that which, as previously stated, remains solid in our discourse: A life of perfection is such that no depiction of it hinders further excellence; rather, the ongoing growth in a life well-lived is the true path toward holiness. As we conclude the account of Moses' life, it is imperative to affirm the certainty of this standard of perfection. For he who, throughout his life, ascends ever higher, exhibits no reluctance to surpass even himself, so that his existence resembles an eagle soaring mightily above the fray, lost amidst the clouds and reaching into the ether of enlightenment.
Moses was born during a time when Hebrew births were deemed a crime by the Egyptians. The enforcers of the law sought to punish his existence; however, Moses defied this destructive decree, first preserved by his parents and later by those who enacted the laws. Those intended to end his life instead took greater care for his well-being and educated him in all wisdom. He transcended human accolades, elevating himself above royal favor, recognizing his higher calling not as a mere title but embracing the inherent dignity that comes from virtue alone. When he witnessed an Egyptian oppressing a fellow Hebrew, he took decisive action to rescue the oppressed, which symbolizes the internal struggle between the soul’s adversaries and allies.
Moses imparted profound lessons, fostering silence and enlightening minds with heavenly truths. He sought to share the blessings conferred upon him with his brethren. In doing so, he demonstrated remarkable strength amid the plagues that beset the oppressors while bringing deliverance to his own people. He led his congregation across the sea on foot, relying not on ships but on building faith among the Israelites for their journey. The ocean parted for the Hebrews, while it remained a barrier for the Egyptians. He celebrated a song of triumph and served as a guiding pillar, aglow with divine fire, deriving sustenance from heavenly provisions and quenching his thirst from a stone. He interceded in battle against the Amalekites, then ascended the mountain, hearkening to the sound of the divine trumpet, entering into profound darkness while approaching the nature of God, dwelling in the holy tabernacle, elevating the priestly lineage, organizing sacred structures, instituting laws to reform life, and ultimately excelling in warfare.
At the culmination of his earthly accomplishments, he exacted judgment for wickedness, as signified by the zealousness of Phinehas, who exhibited righteous anger against sin. In conclusion, he ascended the mountain of serenity, not returning to the depths of the earth, to which the gaze of the people below was directed, nor consuming earthly sustenance. Instead, he remained atop the mountain, like a master sculptor, transformed into a complete embodiment of life, carefully placing not just the finale of his work but the crowning touch upon it. For the account reveals, "And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord; Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died; but his sight was not dulled, neither was his strength in him exhausted." From this, we glean that for his multitude of virtues, he is honored with the lofty title of servant of God, which indicates his unparalleled perfection. No one can serve God without achieving the utmost excellence in life. The completion of a virtuous life, according to the divine command, culminated in Moses as well.
History refers to this conclusion as death, yet it is a life-giving death that does not result in burial, without a grave marker, devoid of shadowed sight, and unmarked by decay. Thus we learn from this account: let us strive toward the ultimate aim of life—to be recognized as a servant of God for our deeds. When you overcome every foe—the Egyptian, the Amalekite, the Idumean, the Midianite—you will traverse the waters, bathed in light from the cloud, finding joy in the tree, drinking from the rock, and partaking in heavenly sustenance. With purity and innocence, you will ascend the mountain, where you will be welcomed into the Divine Sacrament amid the sounds of trumpets, drawing near to God in faith even in the obscurity beyond vision, becoming acquainted with the laws of the sacred tabernacle and the intricacies of the priesthood. When your heart becomes a living tablet for God's inscriptions, after vanquishing the idol of greed—when you strip away all that opposes your dignity, as Dathan was consumed by the earth and Korah by fire—then you will draw near to the end, the ultimate purpose for which all efforts are made. Just as the end of farming is the harvest, the aim of a home is habitation, the purpose of trade is wealth, and the end of ascetic endeavors is a reward, so too is the aim of a fruitful life to be recognized as a servant of God, which signifies a life free from the consequences of wickedness.
And so, as the account relates, his conclusion was more exalted than earthly existence; having ascended the mountain’s peak, he left behind no trace of earthly grief, no measure of mortal limitations, nor did the beauty of his visage wane, preserving an unchanged splendor amidst the variability of his nature.
THEOSIS