May 20, 2021
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Reading along with us in Deuteronomy? Here’s today’s reading:
Deuteronomy 33 (NIV)
Moses Blesses the Tribes
1This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced on the Israelites before his death. 2 He said:
“The Lord came from Sinai
and dawned over them from Seir;
he shone forth from Mount Paran.
He came with myriads of holy ones
Deuteronomy 33
29Blessed are you, Israel!
Who is like you,
a people saved by the Lord?
Such a powerful blessing to know we are God’s people and He is for us and not against us! We don’t deserve it and yet He saves us.
Moses blesses the tribes of Israel, a fitting last act of this great leader who has been through so much with them. It is interesting that at the beginning and the end he reflects on the greatness of God and the care for Israel particularly in His provision of the promised land and how He will establish them in it. The blessings on all the tribes are positive and shows Moses heart towards them and His wish that the future will bring prosperity and blessing to them. It certainly has a very different take than the song from Deuteronomy 32. The blessing to the Levites and the tribes of Joseph are the longest showing his affinity to those assisting in the worship of God as well as the tribes associated with the one who established Israel in Egypt which makes returning to the promised land even more significant. But Moses wishes the best for all, flowing from a God who cares so much and desires to establish so much for and through His people.
Moses blesses the tribes.
29Blessed are you, Israel!
Who is like you,
a people saved by the Lord?
He is your shield and helper
and your glorious sword.
Your enemies will cower before you,
and you will tread on their heights.”