Christian content creator Joe Kirby is drawing renewed attention to a little-discussed biblical mystery: why Satan contended for the body of Moses after his death.
In a recent teaching video, Kirby examines Scripture to explore why Moses was buried by God Himself, why the burial location was hidden and why the book of Jude records a dispute between Satan and the archangel Michael over Moses’ body.
A burial unlike any other
Kirby begins by highlighting Moses’ unique burial, noting that out of the billions of people who have lived, Scripture records only one man being buried directly by God.
“So out of the billions who have ever lived as far as we know Moses alone is the only one to have this extraordinary honor,” Kirby said.
Citing Deuteronomy 34, Kirby notes that Moses was buried in a secret location, a detail he believes signals that something spiritually significant was at stake.
Accusation, sin and grace
Kirby next points to Moses’ disobedience at the rock in Numbers 20, where Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it and said, “Must we bring you water out of this rock.”
“In that moment, he blurred the line between God’s authority and his own,” Kirby said.
Kirby connects this failure to Satan’s role as an accuser, referencing the heavenly courtroom scene in Job. Still, he emphasizes that Moses’ story ultimately highlights grace, not condemnation.
“Yes, Moses failed. And yes, he messed up,” Kirby said. “But the Lord operates according to one key and beautiful reality, and it’s called grace.”
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Why God hid Moses’ grave
Another reason Kirby explores is God’s decision to conceal Moses’ burial site to prevent idolatry. He notes that in the ancient world, tombs of great leaders often became places of veneration.
“In other words, God hid Moses’s body because he knew human hearts are prone to elevate heroes above the creator,” Kirby said.
He suggests Satan may have sought to exploit this tendency by turning Moses’ grave into a focal point for misplaced devotion.
A possible prophetic purpose
Kirby ultimately presents what he believes is the most compelling explanation: Moses may still play a role in God’s future plans. Pointing to Revelation 11, Kirby argues the miracles attributed to the two witnesses align closely with Moses’ ministry in Egypt.
“Moses turned the Nile, the lifeblood of Egypt, into blood,” Kirby said. “And through Moses, God unleashed 10 devastating plagues.”
Kirby also points to the Mount of Transfiguration, where Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus, as a meaningful pattern rather than a coincidence.
“I don’t believe this pairing was accidental,” Kirby said.
While Scripture does not provide every detail surrounding the dispute over Moses’ body, Kirby says the account ultimately directs attention back to Christ, reminding believers that God’s purposes, grace and redemption prevail even amid unseen spiritual conflict.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
