Deuteronomy 33-34 Moses' Swan Song

Intro:

The “Song of Moses” had been a lesson in theology, history, and personal obedience, with several strong warnings included

the final blessing Moses bestowed on his people is saturated with grace and mercy.

It’s quite a contrast to the “blessing” Jacob gave his sons before he died (Gen. 49), revealing their hidden character and exposing sin.

Read Deuteronomy 33:1-6

I. Blessing of the Tribes vs. 1-25

Before Moses takes his final hike up a mountain he pronounces a blessing over Israel

Moses opens and closes his speech by extolling the greatness of the Lord he was about to meet on top of the mount, and then he named each tribe except Simeon and gave them a blessing from the Lord.

This is pretty common at the end of life

Isaac did it over Jacob, Jacob did it over his boys, now Moses is doing it over the nation

He does it by tribe, which will be a common practice from here on out

vs. 1-5 Praise for God’s Activity

The first five verses is Moses reminding them one final time of the blessings God has bestowed on them

vs. 2 Moses recounts his many times of being in the presence of the Lord

Of all that he had seen that was what remained with him.

He loved being in the presence of the Lord, who had left the multitude of angels

God loves His people and He guides them with His hand so it is smart for us to follow in His footsteps

In spite of their frequent disobedience, Israel is seen by God as His special people.

There was much sin in the Corinthian church, yet Paul addressed the people as “saints” (1 Cor. 1:1–2).

Our standing before God is that of being righteous in Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:21), but our present state in this world is that of being tempted and frequently failing.

The victorious Christian life means living up to our standing through faith in the power of God.

Interesting that the theme of discipleship is mentioned so early in the Bible

vs. 4 Moses speaks of himself in 3rd person

Moses wrote and spoke of himself in the third person (vv. 1, 4), the same way David spoke to the Lord in 2 Samuel 7:20 when he was so overwhelmed by the promises of God.

Both Moses and David were like little children, who often use their own names when speaking to adults.

vs. 5 God will be their ruler/ king

vs. 6 Rueben: Muted Blessing

God saw not only the entire nation, the people of Israel, but He also saw the individual tribes and assigned blessings to them.

Like the high priest, the Lord carried the names of the tribes individually over His heart

Since Reuben (v. 6) was Jacob’s firstborn, he’s mentioned first, although Reuben’s sin (Gen. 35:22) cost him the rights of the firstborn (49:3–4) which were then given to Joseph (1 Chron. 5:1–2).

But Moses says nothing about this! Jacob said that the tribe wouldn’t excel, but Moses prayed that the tribe would live, i.e., grow and prosper.

vs. 7 Judah: Victory in Battle

Judah was the royal tribe

Gen. 49:10 t The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.

but it was also a military tribe, for the men of Judah marched at the front of the army during the nation’s journeys

Num. 2:9 All those listed of the camp of Judah, by their companies, were 186,400. They shall set out first on the march.

Moses prayed that God would hear Judah’s prayers, give them victory on the battlefield, and bring their armies back home safely.

vs. 8-11 Levi: Effective Priests

The tribe of Levi was set apart to be the priestly tribe (priests and Levites) and the Levites assisted the priests at the sanctuary.

Jacob linked Simeon and Levi and announced that, because of their sins, these two tribes would be scattered in Israel.

Gen. 49:5–7 Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords. Let my soul come not into their council; O my glory, be not joined to their company. For in their anger they killed men, and in their willfulness they hamstrung oxen. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.

Simeon became a part of Judah and the Levites lived in forty-eight special cities assigned to them (Josh. 21).

Scattering the Levites turned out to be a blessing for the Jews because the Levites knew and taught the law and could instruct the people.

vs. 12 Benjamin: Protection in Battle

Jacob’s youngest son Benjamin was greatly beloved by his father and also beloved of the Lord and protected by the Lord.

The little tribe of Benjamin was situated adjacent to Judah’s northern boundary, and the city of Jerusalem was on the northern border of Judah and the southern border of Benjamin.

Since the sanctuary would be at Jerusalem, Benjamin would be close to the Lord who dwelt there with His people.

Like a father caring for a son, God would carry Benjamin on His back, between his shoulders, and shelter him from danger. The men of Benjamin had quite a reputation as warriors

vs. 13-17 Joseph: Prosperity & Military Strength

More space is devoted to Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh than to any other tribe, but Jacob followed the same pattern (Gen. 49:22–26). Jacob had given the rights of the firstborn to Joseph and had also made his younger son Ephraim firstborn over Manasseh (Gen. 48).

Moses blessed Joseph with “precious [choice] things” in terms of plenty of water, good land, fruitful harvests, and valuable timber and minerals from the hills and mountains.

Moses compared Joseph and his sons (“his glory”) to a beautiful firstborn bull with sharp horns that defeat every enemy.

The word “firstborn” (“firstling”) is significant, because Joseph inherited the blessing of the firstborn when Jacob rejected Reuben, and Ephraim was made firstborn over his brother Manasseh.

The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh were known for their fruitful lands, their large flocks and herds, and their military power.

Unfortunately, they were proud of their ancestry and occasionally refused to cooperate with the other tribes and thereby created problems for the nation.

vs. 18-19 Zebulun & Issachar

Zebulun and Issachar are described as two tribes who will receive rich blessing from land and sea.

The two phrases “going out” and “in your tents” cover all of daily life: going out to work, coming home to rest.

Moses was blessing every aspect of their life, what we might call the “routine tasks of life.”

vs. 19 Some think it’s a picture of the two tribes sharing their bounties with their brothers and sisters and giving thanks to God for His generosity, a Jewish version of a family picnic.

vs. 20-21 Gad: Warrior who Helped

The tribe of Gad (vv. 20–21) was located east of the Jordan (3:12–16) with Reuben and Manasseh.

Moses knew that Gad had chosen the best land for their flocks and herds.

But Gad was also a brave tribe that sent warriors into Canaan to help conquer the land (Josh. 1:12–18; 4:12–18; 22:1–4).

When Israel defeated the nations east of the Jordan, Gad took a “lion’s share” for themselves.

vs. 22 Dan: Future Potential

Comparing Dan to “a lion’s whelp” suggests that the tribe wasn’t quite mature yet, but it showed great promise and had great strength. A lion’s cub grows up to be a lion!

The second clause has been translated “he shies away from the viper.”

Jacob compared Dan to a serpent , and the serpent and the lion are both associated with Satan (Gen. 3; Rev. 12:9, 14–15; 20:2; 1 Peter 5:8).

The tribe of Dan became idolatrous and apostate

vs. 23 Naphtali: Blessed to Possess

Naphtali is promised the fullness of the Lord’s blessing and expansion to the south, where the Sea of Galilee is located, and the west, toward the Mediterranean Sea.

Barak came from this tribe, and soldiers from Naphtali assisted him and Deborah and Gideon .

Naphtali is mentioned in messianic prophecy

vs. 24-25 Asher: Fertility & Security

The name Asher means “blessed,” and Moses asked that the Lord bless the tribe with many children, the favor of his brothers, and great prosperity.

To use precious olive oil on your feet would be a mark of wealth, and Asher’s territory was blessed with many olive groves.

The word translated “shoes” is also translated “bolts,” referring to strong security at the city gates.

So, the tribe would enjoy fertility, brotherly love, prosperity, and security; and the Lord would give them daily strength to accomplish their work. What more could they want?

II. Majestic Helper vs. 26-29

vs. 26 Majestic Helper

These are the last written words of Moses, and they focus on the happiness of the people of God because of His blessings.

As Moses finished blessing the tribes, he visualized the whole nation and the joy Israel ought to have because

Israel would face many enemies and fight many battles as they conquered the Promised Land, but God would give them victory.

vs. 27 Refuge & Sustainer

vs. 28 Security & Prosperity

vs. 29 Joy of Saved People

III. One Last Look vs. 1-4

vs. 1 Walk Into the Sunset

Moses takes his last hike

He is 120 years old and hasn’t lost a step

Now he climbs to the top of Nebo, at the peak of Pisgah

From there he could see Jericho and all of the promised land

God tells him that this is the promised land he swore to Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob

They had arrived and were about to enter

God let Moses see it one last time, because he couldn’t enter

IV. Moses Death vs. 5-8

vs. 5-6 Unknown Whereabouts

Moses dies on the mountain and is buried in the land of Moab

God purposely doesn’t let anyone know where the grave is because he knew Israel would make pilgrimages to worship him

vs. 7 Unabated Vigor

When he died he was 120 years old but he was full of vigor

His eyes didn’t dim and he had full strength

vs. 8 Mourned 30 days

After his death Israel mourned for 30 days

V. Moses’ Legacy vs. 10-12

vs. 9 handed over reigns to Joshua

vs. 10 Unequaled Prophet

vs. 11 Signs and Wonders

vs. 12 Great deeds