Deuteronomy 33

Deuteronomy 33:1

C. Moses’ Blessing (Chap. 33)The Hebrew wording in this chapter is obscure in many places; thus there are various opinions and interpretations offered by different commentators. It is not within the scope of this work to go into detail as to the possible Hebrew renderings; we just suggest a short, prophetical view of each blessing. 33:1-5 As his final official act, Moses the man of God pronounced a blessing on the tribes of Israel. Verses 2-5 celebrate God’s loving care for His own people. At Sinai He gave the law. Seir and Mount Paran were on the route from Sinai to Canaan. In poetic language, Moses describes the Lord as King in Jeshurun leading His people on to victory. Then follow the individual blessings: 33:6 Reuben. Situated east of the Jordan River and immediately north of Moab, Reuben would be vulnerable to attack; hence the prayer that the tribe would not become extinct but would be populous. Simeon is not mentioned. It became closely associated with Judah and may be included in that blessing. 33:7 Judah. This tribe would be a leader in the conquest of Canaan. The Lord is asked to help the warriors and bring them back safely to their people. 33:8-11 Levi. God’s Thummim and His Urim belonged to Levi, the tribe criticized by the people at Massah and the waters of Meribah. Levi was also the tribe that took sides with God against its own people when the latter worshiped the golden calf. Levi was set apart to teach the people and to present sacrifices. Moses prays that the LORD will bless his substance, find pleasure in his service, and destroy those who hate him. 33:12 Benjamin. The temple, God’s dwelling place on earth, would be located in Benjamin’s territory, surrounded by shouldering hills. Therefore Benjamin is pictured as a beloved tribe, enjoying intimate communion with the Lord. 33:13-17 Joseph. The territory of the sons of Joseph would be watered by dew from above and springs from beneath. It would be unusually fruitful, enjoying the goodwill of the One who revealed Himself in the burning bush. Majestic and powerful, Joseph’s two sons would conquer nations. Ephraim got the birthright and is therefore assigned ten thousands whereas Manasseh is credited with only thousands. 33:18, 19 Zebulun and Issachar. Successful at home and abroad, they would lead nations to worship at Jerusalem, the mountain of the Lord. These tribes would feast on the abundance of the seas and of the land. Since there is no record of their leading nations to worship, and since both tribes were landlocked in the past, this blessing must look forward to the Millennium. 33:20, 21 Gad. God gave this tribe a large territory east of the Jordan. Gad fought like a lion to capture and preserve it. It was choice pastureland that he chose for himselfa leader’s portion. But he also joined with the heads of the people to conquer the land west of the Jordan, thus carrying out the Lord’s righteous will. 33:22 Dan is compared to a lion’s whelp, ferocious and strong, striking suddenly from ambush. Dan’s original territory was in the southwest of Canaan, but the Danites migrated to the northeast and seized additional land adjoining Bashan. 33:23 Naphtali was located in northeast Canaan and extended south to the Sea of Galilee. The tribe was honored with the favor and blessing of the LORD. 33:24, 25 Asher was to be blessed with a numerous posterity, good relations with the other tribes, and a land flowing with olive oil. Iron and bronze seem to be strange materials for sandals. Keil translates it fortresses. F. W. Grant suggests an interesting alternative translation of the last line of verse 25: The moderns against the ancients read “rest” instead of “strength.” In these two there would be doubly expressed their abiding security: and though we may not be willing to give up what we are so familiar with, that “as thy days thy strength shall be,” it is certainly not unsuited as the close of this wonderful blessing to have “as thy days shall be thy rest.” 33:26-29 The closing verses celebrate the greatness of God as He acts in behalf of His people. The God of Jeshurun is unique in the heavens to help. Millions have been fortified by the words in verse 27: “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.“God’s future destruction of Israel’s enemies and the promise of safety, peace, prosperity, and victory close the Song of Moses.