He was the boy king of Egypt, Pharaoh Tutankhamun He ruled in the eighteenth dynasty. He died at the young age of 19 after a ten-year reign (1332 BC – 1323 BC). His tomb and remains were discovered in 1922 and the collective treasures are valued in the billions of dollars. Vicki and I had the opportunity to see a part of this incredible collection at the Los Angeles County Museum a few years ago.

The cause of his death has been the subject of speculation since Howard Carter discovered the mummy. DNA results show that the young Tut had malaria and a bone disorder that may have been caused by inbreeding. There was some speculation that he was murdered but the latest research rules this out as a cause of death. The latest theory is that he died of complications from a hereditary form of epilepsy.  

With all the interest in the death of this young boy, little is known about his actual life. All the wealth and wisdom of Egypt with its medical knowledge evidently could not save Tut’s life. None of the privileges of his birth and station in life gave him any real advantage over a poor servant.

When given some thought, we see how fragile life really is.  Robust, virile men may turn into weaklings after a short illness. As James noted and asked, “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4.14). He went on to say in verse 15, “Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”

Lives are not to be measured in years but in the quality of the lives lived. That why James warns us not to forget this. Paul urges us to “make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil” (Eph. 6.16 niv). In Jesus’ Parable of the Rich Fool, God said to the man, “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then who will those things be which you have provided?” (Luke 12.20). It makes no difference, wealthy or poor, we are all a heart beat away from eternity.

I am sure that Tut had for himself future plans – plans that never materialized. His short life was a tragedy, but the greatest tragedy of all is the person who wastes his opportunities and never chooses Jesus as his Savior and Lord. We would do well to learn from the young King Tut! [-Adapted, BTW]