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Deuteronomy 33 (ESV)

Moses’ Final Blessing on Israel

1 This is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the people of Israel before his death. 2 He said,

“The Lord came from Sinai

and dawned from Seir upon us;

he shone forth from Mount Paran;

he came from the ten thousands of holy ones,

with flaming fire at his right hand.

3 Yes, he loved his people,

all his holy ones were in his hand;

so they followed in your steps,

receiving direction from you,

4 when Moses commanded us a law,

as a possession for the assembly of Jacob.

5 Thus the Lord became king in Jeshurun,

when the heads of the people were gathered,

all the tribes of Israel together.

6 “Let Reuben live, and not die,

but let his men be few.”

7 And this he said of Judah:

“Hear, O Lord, the voice of Judah,

and bring him in to his people.

With your hands contend for him,

and be a help against his adversaries.”

8 And of Levi he said,

“Give to Levi your Thummim,

and your Urim to your godly one,

whom you tested at Massah,

with whom you quarreled at the waters of Meribah;

9 who said of his father and mother,

‘I regard them not’;

he disowned his brothers

and ignored his children.

For they observed your word

and kept your covenant.

10 They shall teach Jacob your rules

and Israel your law;

they shall put incense before you

and whole burnt offerings on your altar.

11 Bless, O Lord, his substance,

and accept the work of his hands;

crush the loins of his adversaries,

of those who hate him, that they rise not again.”

REFLECTION:

The blessings of Moses in this chapter contain prayer, predictions, p raise, and commands.

Reuben a prayer for survival; Judah a prediction of victory; Levi a prayer for blessing, a call to faithfulness; Benjamin a promise of safety; Ephraim a promise of preeminence; Manasseh a prediction of strength; Zebulun a prediction of wealth; Issachar a prediction of wealth; Gad a promise of land; Dan a prediction of energy; Napthali a promise of blessing; Asher a prayer for strength and security.

The blessings show that God desires the very best for his people.  But we need to remember that it is what is the very best in his eyes and not our own eyes; and the most important gift God can give is already ours – himself.  As Moses said, “the Eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”

In what sense am I blessed as a child of God?  What are some of my blessings?

Who would I like to bless?  Why?  With what?

PRAYER:

The LORD remembers us and will bless us: He will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, he will bless those who fear the LORD—small and great alike. May the LORD make you increase, both you and your children. (Ps 115:12-14_