Deuteronomy
chapter 33 contains the last recorded words of Moses and fittingly,
they are a blessing over the nation and the God who rescued them from
captivity. Moses begins with praising God and reaffirming God’s
nature, “Surely
it is You who love the people; all the holy ones are in your hand.
At Your feet they will all bow down, and from You they receive
instruction“.
Whenever we come to God in prayer, it is good to remember He is the
Almighty and He also loves all the holy ones in His hand. Next Moses
pronounces a blessing over each of the tribes of Israel. It is
interesting to read the last recorded words of famous people. Some
die bitter, some full of fear and some full of praise. Each of the
blessings given is closely related to the blessings that Jacob gave
his sons prior to his death in Genesis chapter 49.
“Let
Rueben live and not die, nor his men be few.”
Though first born, he did not achieve any greatness. (“You
shall not excel”
Gen 49:4). “Hear
the cry of Judah and bring him to his people.”
The Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah! (“The
scepter will not depart from Judah”
Gen 49:10). To the tribe of Levi, “He
watches over your word and guarded Your covenant. He teaches Your
precepts to Jacob… be pleased with the work of his hands“.
The Levites were the priests, later they would be dispersed among
the nation to teach God’s Word. As Jacob prophesied, (“I
will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel”
Genesis 49:7). Of Benjamin, “The
beloved of the Lord… The Lord loves rest between his shoulders“.
The holy city of Jerusalem was in the center of the land of Benjamin
and it has been fought over for centuries. Jacob called him, (“a
ravenous wolf
” Gen 49:27). About Joseph, “May
the Lord bless His land… fruitfulness… favor on him… let all
these rest their head on Joseph“.
The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh (Joseph’s sons) become two of
the largest tribes. (“A
fruitful bough by a well; his branches run over the wall”
Gen 49:22). Of Zebulun, “Rejoice
Zebulun… they will summon the people to the mountain and there
offer sacrifices of righteousness… feast on the abundance of the
seas“.
(“Zebulun
shall dwell by the haven of the sea”
Gen 49:13). “Gad
lives like a lion… he chose the best for himself, the leaders’
portion… he carries out the Lord’s righteous will.”
David’s army made up of the tribe of Gad was fierce and
victorious. “He
shall triumph at last”
(Gen 49:19). “Dan
is a lion’s cub. Springing from Bashan“.
The tribe of Dan moved to northern Israel rather than battle to
protect the land given to them. Also Dan became one of the first
regions to begin to follow false gods. (“Dan
shall be a serpent by the way”
Gen 49:17). “Naphtali
is abounding with the favor of the Lord.”
The region of Galilee, where Jesus taught and ministered is in the
territory of Naphtali. (“He
gives goodly words”
Gen 49:21). “Most
blessed of the sons is Asher. Let him be favored by his brothers“.
(“He
will provide delicacies fit for a king”
Gen 49:20).
The
final words of Moses are for the entire nation. “The
eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
He will drive out your enemy before you… Who is like you, a people
of the Lord? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword.
Your enemies will cower before you and you will trample down their
high places.”
When we put our confidence in our own individual abilities, we can
stumble and be anxious. It’s only when we remember that the battle
belongs to God, that we can get out of His way and allow Him to win
the victory. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us of our greatest source of
strength, “For
the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged
sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both
joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions
of the heart.”