The Last Words Of Bible Characters

Feature 3 – April 2023 – Grace & Truth Magazine

The Last Words Of Bible Characters

Last words are fascinating, especially when they come from a dying loved one. We may hang on to their every word.

Spiritual and moral dimensions are attached to last words spoken by eminent servants of the Lord who have departed this earth. Therefore, the book of Hebrews reminds us to “remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct” (13:7 NKJV). Faith and conduct are inseparable, as the apostle Paul pointed out when he said to Timothy, “You have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions” (2 Tim. 3:10-11).

The following is a summary of the valuable last words of four of the servants of the Lord found in the Bible. It is striking that regardless of the dispensation, or period in which they lived, they spoke the same things!

Moses
Then Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. And he said to them: “I am one hundred and twenty years old today; I can no longer go out and come in. Also, the LORD has said to me, “You shall not cross over this Jordan.” —Deuteronomy 31:1-2

We find some of the highlights of the last words of Moses to Israel in Deuteronomy 31–34. He told the people that although he would not be able to cross the Jordan with them, “the LORD your God Himself crosses over before you ... Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid … He will not leave you nor forsake you” (31:3,6). There was no jealousy on the part of Moses toward Joshua; he was content that Joshua would lead the people into the land.

Having given Joshua a charge, Moses then spoke to the priests and all the elders of Israel. They were to read the law before all Israel – men, women and the little ones – as well as the strangers; that they might hear and fear the LORD. They were to pass it on to their children who have not known it, that they too might heed it and fear the LORD (v.13). This is good advice for parents to follow!

Moses spoke of the greatness of God and His moral character. He then reminded them of the faithfulness of the LORD by calling on the people to “remember the days of old” (32:7), when God “found him in a desert land and in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye. As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the LORD alone led him” (vv.10-12).

Moses also foretold about the unfaithfulness of the people. “For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you” (31:29). But he faithfully appealed to them, “Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe – all the words of this law. For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess” (32:46-47). Deuteronomy lays great stress on the people’s obedience to the law, which would result in blessing for them.

Finally, Moses blessed the people; ending his last words with: “Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD” (33:29).

Joshua
Now it came to pass … that Joshua was old, advanced in age. And Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers, and said to them: “… Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed.” —Joshua 23:1-2,14

Joshua reminded them of the faithfulness of God. They were to be “very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest [they] turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left” (v.6). Compromise is the character of our present day – the last days of the professing Church. The faithful, however, will continue steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine. He exhorted them to “hold fast to the LORD your God” (v.8). “Hold fast” is a word for the last days, for the Lord likewise encouraged the believing remnants in Thyatira, Sardis and Philadelphia (Rev. 2–3).

The people of Israel were to “love the LORD” (Josh. 23:11). If we love Him, we will “keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 Jn. 3:22). We have to examine our hearts, especially when we remember what the Lord said to Ephesus: “Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Rev. 2:4).

Furthermore, they were warned against intermingling with the idolatrous nations and forming alliances with them. The LORD would chasten them for it. We, too, are admonished not to be “unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Cor. 6:14). Rather, we have been called out of the world, a people with a heavenly and holy calling (Heb. 3:1; 1 Pet. 1:15).

Joshua reminded Israel that they were a redeemed people: “I brought your fathers out of Egypt” (Josh. 24:6) and “I brought you into the land” (v.8). The record of God’s ways with this nation illustrates His ways with us in grace. We have been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ and “blessed … with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3).

In view of what He had done for them, they were to “fear the LORD [and] serve Him in sincerity and truth” (Josh. 24:14). They were to choose whom they were going to serve. Then he said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (v.15). The last words of Joshua were: “Put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD God of Israel” (v.23). Do we have anything to put away?

Paul
And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. —Acts 20:25

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.” —2 Timothy 4:6

From Miletus, Paul sent for the elders of the church at Ephesus. This battered and bruised servant of the Lord had spent his life in service to His people. Now Paul’s life was drawing to a close, but he would not depart without a few parting words to his beloved brethren. He spoke of his manner of life, “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you” (Acts 20:18). The apostle had served the Lord with all humility, many tears and difficult trials; reminding them that he had “kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house” (v.20). He did not count his life dear to himself that, as he said, “I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (v.24).

Paul told them that he was “innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (vv.26-28). Then he warned, “Savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears” (vv.29-31). He commended them “to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (v.32). He encouraged them to “support the weak” (v.35). Then this lowly servant of the Lord “knelt down and prayed with them all” (v.36).

Timothy was to cleanse himself from vessels of dishonor and “flee … youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22). Then Paul wrote: “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money … lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! … But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them” (3:1-5,14).

In his final words, the apostle encouraged Timothy to “preach the word! … be watchful in all things” (4:2,5). Paul’s death was approaching, and he knew it: “I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (vv.6-8). His last words are a great encouragement for us!

Peter
“Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.” —2 Peter 1:13-14

Simon Peter’s last words are found in his second epistle. He told Jewish Christians that God had given them “all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue … having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (vv.3-4). They were to give diligence, and add to their faith virtue, “to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love” (vv.5-7). If these things were found in them, they would “be neither barren nor unfruitful” (v.8). How do we measure up? They were to be even more diligent to make their call, and election sure (v.10). Doing these things would prevent them from stumbling. Then Peter said, “Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease” (v.15).

Peter told the people they would do well to take heed to prophecy, for it is “a light that shines in a dark place [this world], until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (v.19). He desired that the brighter light of the Lord’s return would fill their hearts. In 2 Peter 3 the apostle warned of false teachers who would be found among them, just as his beloved brother Paul had written about (vv.15-16). Peter also said, “Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?’” (vv.3-4). The time may seem long, “but, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (vv.8-9).

His delay is mercy to those who are not yet saved. May the Lord burden our hearts for them! As we await the coming of the Lord, Peter, with great solemnity, exclaimed, “What manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God” (vv.11-12). Everything is moving toward that glorious “day of God” when the full result of the reconciling work of the Lord Jesus will be manifested: “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (v.13). Peter went on, “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation” (vv.14-15). Finally, this devoted servant of the Lord encouraged his beloved brethren, “Beware lest you … fall from your own steadfastness … but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen” (vv.17-18). A fitting end to Peter’s last words.

These eminent servants of the Lord have long passed on, but their last words have been preserved for us in the Word of God. May we take heed to them!

By Richard Barnett

O Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee That where Thou art in glory there shall Thy servant be; And Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end; Oh, give me grace to follow my Master and my friend.
Oh, let me feel Thee near me; the world is ever near; I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear; My foes are ever near me, around me and within; But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.
Oh, let me hear Thee speaking, in accents clear and still, Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will. Oh, speak to reassure me, to hasten, or control; Oh, speak, and make me listen, Thou Guardian of my soul. —John Ernest Bode (1816–1874)