The moth in the Bible has been used to describe the ephemeral nature of life. The Hebraic word that describes the moth is literally a derivative from the root that mean ‘to fall away’ like moth eaten garments.

Job 4:19 reads “How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are cursed before the moth?
Isaiah 50:9 reads “Behold the Lord God will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up”

Closer introspection of these two texts reveal three wonderful hidden truths

  1. the creation of  man,
  2. the aging  and falling away (natural death) of man and
  3. the glorious Truth of Salvation.

The creation of man –
We were created in the imago dei [image of God], formed from the dust of the ground (Gen 1:27; Gen 2:7) and we hold in our clay-molden (jars of clay) bodies, the excellency of the power of God, and the glory of God which is Jesus Christ (2 Corinthian 4:7). Our created bodies dwell in houses of clay and our foundation is the dust (Job 4:19)

The aging and falling away of man –
Isaiah 50:9b states that these jars of clay (our bodies) shall wax old as a garment; that the moth will eat away.  It has been appointed unto man that he should die once and then enter into judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Our days of life are not only numbered, but each day is recorded in God’s calendar and will come to pass. While on this journey on earth, however, let us remember not to count our days but make our days count.

The glorious Truth of Salvation –
Isaiah 50:9a states that the Lord God will help us and questions the reader as to whether there is anyone who shall condemn us.  Jesus (Lord God) is the ONLY way and our helper. In him, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). He did not condemn the woman caught in  the act of adultery or the malefactor on the cross. If we ask him to, He will accept us, just as we are, unclean and unworthy. He can transform our ephemeral (short-lived) lives into eternal living (with him). Ask him to, now, if you have not already done so.

Romans 8:1 (KJV)
1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.