Deuteronomy 34:7 Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever.
David A. Sinclair, Ph.D., co-director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research at Harvard Medical School says that the process of aging can be slowed down and we can continue enjoying a vigorous and robust lifestyle for much longer if we exercise regularly, fast intermittently and eat responsibly. There are many research papers that support a low calorie diet which increases the longevity of healthy life. Normally what gives pleasure to the mouth does no good to the body.
The secret behind the healthy life of Moses was his lifestyle. Mount Nebo is about 700 metres above sea level and the 120 year old Moses climbed up this mountain to look into the Promised Land before he died. Mount Sinai is about 7,497 feet (2,285 metres) above sea level and Moses climbed Mount Sinai twice. He was also the man who had fasted for 40 days twice. Moses was the one who brought food regulations to the Israelites. There were no ‘International Food Law and Regulations’ back then and people ate whatever they found edible. The Mosaic Law which is also known as the ‘Kosher Foods’ was the Jewish dietary laws. The Black Plague during 1348-1349 killed 20-25 million Europeans and 35 million Chinese but the mandatory hygiene practices and kosher diet preserved the lives of the Jews from the plague. The Jews were unjustly blamed for poisoning the wells that caused the breakout of the plague and more Jews were killed by persecution than by the plague. Hence we can safely conclude that the longevity of the health of Moses was attributed to fasting, healthy diet and mountain hiking on Mt. Sinai and Nebo.
Longevity of robust lifestyles:
1. Routine: A regular routine of prayer, fasting and healthy eating will keep us healthy and useful for much longer. Moses was at the ‘tent of meeting’ everyday, communing with the Lord. As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses (Exodus 33:8). We don’t have to retire from prayer walks and prayer runs, if we continue a healthy routine.
2. Recreation: The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has found that, “Alcoholism may accelerate normal aging or causes premature aging of the brain”. Feeding our body with substance exaggerates aging and kills healthy brain cells. Recreation should keep our brains healthy and our bodies active, energetic and agile.
3. Reason: Purposeful living decelerates aging. Those who live carelessly, and don’t have a purpose are aged even if their biological age is very young. On the contrary those who have a reason to wake up every day and pursue their purpose until their last breath on the earth never age. The strength of Moses did not fade away, as he lived to fulfill his purpose until the very last moment of his life.
The longevity of our health rests on our lifestyle.
Deuteronomy 33:11a: The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, help me to live every moment of my life fulfilling my purpose on this earth. Amen.
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