Deuteronomy 33 - Moses Blesses

LINK: Deuteronomy 33

BACKGROUND

It was customary that a father would bless his children before he died. We have already seen this with Jacob's blessings in Genesis 49. Essentially, Moses was Israel's "father." So, he was imparting a blessing to them. If you turn back to Genesis 49:5-7, Jacob predicted that Simeon and Levi would be dispersed in Jacob and scattered in Israel. Now, we see that Simeon is omitted. We will learn from Joshua 19:1-9, that Simeon was absorbed by Judah. Even though Levi was included in the blessing, we already know that Levi was a tribe without an inheritance because they were to take care of the Tabernacle and, eventually, the temple.

APPLICATION

Looking at the specific tribes, take some time to look "before and after" in cross-references:

Reuben (33:6)

• Genesis 49:4; Judges 5:15-16

Judah (33:7)

• Genesis 49:8-12; Ezekiel 19:1-7; Micah 5:8; and Revelation 5:5 (Look for the Scarlet Thread of Redemption and Jesus!!!!)

Levi (33:8-11)

• Genesis 49:5-7; Exodus 32:25-29; Joshua 14:4; 21:41

Benjamin (33:12)

• Genesis 44:20 Genesis 49:27; Judges 3:12-30 (Ehud); Judges 19 - 21, 1 Samuel 11-15 (Saul and Jonathan).

Joseph: Ephraim and Manasseh (33:13-17)

• Genesis 48:17-20; 49:22-26; Joshua 16:9; 17:14-18; Judges 8:1; 12:1; Hosea 12:8; 13:1

Zebulun & Issachar (33:18-19)

• Genesis 49:13-15; Judges 5:14,15

Gad (33:20-21)

• Genesis 49:19; Joshua 13:24-27; Joshua 22:1-6; 2 Kings 3:4

Dan (33:22)

• Genesis 49:17; Judges 14-17 (Samson); Judges 18:27

Naphtali (33:23)

• Genesis 49:21; Joshua 19:32-38

Asher (33:24-25)

• Genesis 49:20; Joshua 19:24-30

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for blessings us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). Amen.