Moses Blessings on The Tribes
March 16, 2021
Commentary
Moses pronounced his blessing upon each tribe just before his death. Only ten tribes were listed. The tribe of Simeon was omitted, perhaps due to Jacob’s prediction that Simeon would be scattered (Genesis 49:7) and her land would be divided with the children of Judah (Joshua 19:1). Joseph’s name was given in the place of his two sons: Ephraim and Manasseh.
The chapter begins with an introduction of Moses as “the man of God” (v. 1). It is speculated that another author (perhaps Joshua) wrote this as Moses would not have said this about himself since he was the meekest man on the face of the earth (Num. 12:3). The Lord comes from Mt. Sinai to give light to His people (v. 2). He loves the tribes of Israel, and they worship at his feet (v. 3) as He gives them His law (vv. 4-5).
Here are several items to be noted in this list of blessings on the tribes. Reuben would multiply (v. 6). Judah would be safeguarded against evil (v. 7). Levi was to continue to be Israel’s leader in worship (vv. 8-11). Benjamin would be beloved and protected (v. 12). Through the descendants of Joseph, the Lord promised to bless with sunshine and rain so the people would have a rich harvest (vv. 13-15). They would also have material prosperity and military success (vv. 16-17).
Application
In these verses we can see the differences in blessing that God gave to each tribe. It is easy for us to see someone with a particular blessing and think that God must love that person more than others. Instead, God draws out of all people their unique gifts and talents to complete His plan. I should not envy the gifts and talents of others but resolve to do the tasks God has uniquely qualified me to do.
Deuteronomy 33:1– 17 (NET)
1 This is the blessing Moses the man of God pronounced upon the Israelites before his death. 2 He said: “The Lord came from Sinai and revealed himself to Israel from Seir. He appeared in splendor from Mount Paran, and came forth with ten thousand holy ones. With his right hand he gave a fiery law to them.
3 Surely he loves the people; all your holy ones are in your power. And they sit at your feet, each receiving your words.
4 Moses delivered to us a law, an inheritance for the assembly of Jacob.
5 The Lord was king over Jeshurun, when the leaders of the people assembled, the tribes of Israel together.
6 “May Reuben live and not die, and may his people multiply.”
7 And this is the blessing to Judah. He said, “Listen, O Lord, to Judah’s voice, and bring him to his people. May his power be great, and may you help him against his foes.”
8 Of Levi he said: “Your Thummim and Urim belong to your godly one, whose authority you challenged at Massah, and with whom you argued at the waters of Meribah.
9 He said to his father and mother, ‘I have not seen him,’ and he did not acknowledge his own brothers or know his own children, for they kept your word, and guarded your covenant.
10 They will teach Jacob your ordinances and Israel your law; they will offer incense as a pleasant odor, and a whole offering on your altar.
11 Bless, O Lord, his goods, and be pleased with his efforts; undercut the legs of any who attack him, and of those who hate him, so that they cannot stand.”
12 Of Benjamin he said: “The beloved of the Lord will live safely by him; he protects him all the time, and the Lord places him on his chest.”
13 Of Joseph he said: “May the Lord bless his land with the harvest produced by the sky, by the dew, and by the depths crouching beneath;
14 with the harvest produced by the daylight and by the moonlight;
15 with the best of the ancient mountains and the harvest produced by the age-old hills;
16 with the harvest of the earth and its fullness and the pleasure of him who resided in the burning bush. May blessing rest on Joseph’s head, and on the top of the head of the one set apart from his brothers.
17 May the firstborn of his bull bring him honor, and may his horns be those of a wild ox; with them may he gore all peoples, all the far reaches of the earth. They are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.”
Illustration: The Turtle on Top of a Fence Post
Alex Haley, the author of “Roots,” had an unusual picture hanging on his office wall. It was a picture of a turtle on top of a fence post. When asked, “Why is that there?” Alex Haley answered, “Every time I write something significant, every time I read my words and think that they are wonderful, and begin to feel proud of myself, I look at the turtle on top of the fence post and remember that he didn’t get there on his own. He had help.” Every time I am tempted to think about the things I have been able to achieve in my life time I am reminded of this quote and that it is not because of me but because of Christ and what He has done. (Lou Nicholes – Missionary Author).