Israel's Blessing - Deuteronomy 33

Introduction

Over the last few weeks we have considered chapter 32, the Song of Moses.

We have seen the second of three declarations of Moses’ death, first in 31:14, then again in 32:50, and the third we will consider next week in 34:5.

The book of Deuteronomy is drawing to a close, and with the book, so also the life of Moses and the writings of Moses.

A compelling feature of the conclusion of Deuteronomy comes in chapter 33, our text for tonight.

Here, we see that Moses ends his life in the same way that Jacob did, 500 years earlier: by pronouncing a blessing on the nation of Israel. There are a number of interesting comparisons and contrasts between the two blessings. For us to understand the depth of Moses’ blessing, we need to understand the only other portion of the Pentateuch like it: the blessing of Jacob.

First, look at the historical and geographical context. Jacob gives his blessing as the nation is moving away from the promised land, on the cusp of settling in Egypt. Moses gives his blessing as the nation is moving away from Egypt, on the cusp of settling in the promised land.

Second, the theological context. Jacob gives the blessing as a man, without reference to God. Moses gives the blessing as a prophet, speaking as the mouthpiece of God.

Third, the literary context. Jacob gives his blessing in irony, with all but perhaps 2 of his blessings really serving as a curse. Moses gives his blessing in irony as well, pronouncing a blessing on a people who would soon deserve a curse.

Fourth, the prophetic context. Jacob’s blessings served as prophecies that were largely fulfilled in the life of the nation of Israel. Moses’ blessings served as prophecies that were not fulfilled in the life of the nation of Israel.

Finally, as Genesis 49:28 says, Jacob gave a blessing to each son as was appropriate to him, blessings the sons had earned as wages. Moses gives a blessing to each tribe not based on what is appropriate, but rather what is in accordance with the grace of God, blessings that the tribes are given as gifts.

With those preliminary thoughts in mind, let’s consider the text.

The introduction - vs 1-5

The blessing is introduced historically in vss 1 and literarily in vss 2-5.

Deuteronomy 33:1 NASB95

Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the sons of Israel before his death.

This word blessing, Berecah in Hebrew, means a gift. It is something that is given, usually immensely practical. To declare a blessing is thus to declare what the actual content of the blessing is, in other words, it is an announcement of what is to be given.

Additionally, Moses is described in a unique way here. Moses is not described anywhere else in the Pentateuch as a “man of God.” He is described this way a total of four times in the rest of the Old Testament, however. Once here, once at the description of Joshua in Joshua 9, once in the Psalms in the superscription of Psalm 90, and once in 2 Chronicles.

What is the significance here? The man of God language is almost only ever used to describe prophets in the Old Testament. Thus, by using this language, whether Moses or Joshua, the author is endeavoring to establish Moses as the prototypical prophet, the man who speaks on behalf of God.

What’s interesting is that this motif is carried on in the Old Testament, with Peter describing the prophets who spoke of Christ as men of God moved by the Holy Spirit, and Paul describing a faithful minister as a man of God, equipped by the Word for the ministry of the Word.

Thus we can deduce that the man of God language is uniquely ascribed to those who declare the Word of God publicly, and Moses serves as the first in a long line of such men, men who still exist today as preachers of the Word of God.

Therefore, we can infer that the blessing Moses declares here stands in contrast to the blessing of Jacob, in that it is declared by the man of God, as the Word of God, on behalf of God.

Finally, by the last phrase we understand that this is likely the last public appearance of Moses before his death. These are Moses’ parting words to Israel.

So what does he say?

First, he introduces the blessing, again in contrast to Jacob, by first speaking of Yahweh’s glory as the King and Father of Israel.

Here in this introduction we see Moses expounding two key attributes of God.

Verse 2 describes His transcendence. He is a God of holiness, of glory, and of majesty. He is surrounded by a host of holy angels, appearing in the terrifying majesty only able to be captured with the picture of hand full of a lightning.

This was the God that Moses encountered on Sinai. On that mountain, Moses looked into the throne room of God Most High, the same throne room that Isaiah saw in Isaiah 6, when the temple shook and the earth was filled with Yahweh’s glory, and the angels surrounded Him and cried out Holy, Holy, Holy. This is the same throne room witnessed by John, who saw the four living creatures and the 24 elders bowing before the throne, and the heavenly host crying out “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” These three prophets all were given a unique experience of the transcendent glory and majesty of God as He is seated on the throne of the universe.

But Moses in the same breath also speaks of a second attribute: God’s immanence. In verse 3 he speaks of His love and tender care, as he leads His people like a shepherd, feeding them with the milk and meat and manna of His Word.

This word is declared by Moses, for Israel, and is their posession.

Finally, Moses returns to the royal imagery of verse 2 in verse 5, declaring that Yahweh is king over Jeshurun.

Moses introduces this blessing this way to establish the divinity of the blessing. He speaks on behalf of a transcendent and simultaneously immanent God, who is lovingly glorious and gloriously loving.

He now moves to the blessings of each tribe:

Reuben

Reuben receives two blessings, the first, a blessing of eternal life, and second, a blessing of offspring. God’s gift to Reuben, His blessing, is that he will not die, but rather will live, and that his posterity will not die off, but will continue to grow even as the sand of the seashore.

Judah

Judah’s blessing is that the Lord would hear and answer his prayer, that the Lord would bring him in to his people, and that He would help him against his adversaries.

Levi

Levi’s blessing is a little bit longer and more complex.

By the reference to Urim and Thummim, Moses is indicating that the seat of judgment for the nation belongs with Levi, the “godly man” of Israel, or holy man of Israel. The godly or holy description used there is in reference to the many places where the tribe of Levi, as the tribe of priests and tabernacle servants, is to be holy and set apart to the Lord’s service.

Where this gets tricky, however, is in the next line, where Moses says that the godly man, presumably Levi, since the stones of Urim and Thummim belonged rightly int he Ephod of the high priest, a Levite. He says that the Godly man was proved at Massah and contended with at Meribah. At first brush this makes no sense, because elsewhere, in such passages as Numbers 20:13, where it is said that Levi was not proved or tested, but that it was the Lord who was proved or tested, as well as Exodus 17:7, which says that it was not Levi who was contended with at Meribah, but that it was God Himself.

This is a confusing and seemingly contradictory statement, but I will try to bring clarity to it in a moment.

Moses continues with Levi, the one who in verse 9 denies his father and mother so that he as a tribe might be faithful to observe Yahweh’s word and keep Yahweh’s covenant.

Levi is further declared to be the one who teaches the ordinances to Jacob and the law to Israel, and the one who makes offerings and sacrifices before Yahweh, on His altar.

Finally in vs 11, Moses beseeches the Lord to bless Levi’s substance, accept His works, and destroy his enemies forever.

Thus Levi’s blessing is both complex and profound, speaking of Levi as a holy and blessed tribe, a tribe who would offer acceptable sacrifice and worship to God, and teach the nation about who God is.

Benjamin

Benjamin is declared here to be a fortress, a refuge of security for Israel, a shield, and a dwelling place.

Joseph

Joseph’s blessing has to do with the abundant yield of the land, as it produces crops and fruit.

However, in verse 17, we also see that, like a bull, he will push the peoples with the horns of his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.

Isaachar and Zebulun

Isaachar and Zebulun are blessed together, described as calling the peoples of the earth to the mountain, offering righteous sacrifices, and possessing the abundance of both the desert and the sea.

Gad

Gad is likened to a lion, described as a mighty ruler who tears down strong arms and royal crowns, eats of the portion of a ruler and executes the justice of the Lord, and executes the ordinances of God in obedience along with the whole nation.

Dan

Dan is described as a lion’s whelp, the same word used to describe Judah in Jacob’s blessing. Interestingly, Judah is one of the only sons to receive a positive blessing from Jacob. This blessing also connects Dan to Gad, who is described as a lion in the previous section. In other words, Dan is a ruler as well.

Naphtali

Naphtali has the favor of God shining upon him, is full of blessing, and as a result will rule over the foreign nations across the sea and to the south of Israel.

Asher

Finally, we see Asher described as a ruler as well, blessed by having his feet washed with oil, and blessed in his strength like iron and bronze, a strength that will be equal to his days.

Conclusion

Moses concludes the blessing the same way he began it - by reminding the people of the transcendence and immanence of God, His power and his personality, His glory and his love.

Finally, He blesses the nation all together, speaking over them security, prosperity, salvation, and victory.

In summary then, we see 2 main points that Moses is trying to convey.

God’s grace will triumph in the end.

God’s people will receive blessing in the end

Despite all the sin, despite all the false gods, despite all the centuries of disobedience and of failure to know God and walk in His covenant, God’s grace will still reign supreme in the end. As Moses’ book and Moses’ life draw to a close, he wants to leave both Israel and us with a parting truth: God is still faithful, God is still merciful, and God is still powerful.

The same themes that permeated the beginning of Moses’ ministry also permeate the end. Look at the parallels:

Moses’ calling was framed in the context of God’s covenant faithfulness in Exodus 3:6: “He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.” Likewise, Moses’ departure is now framed in the context of God’s covenant faithfulness in vs 26-29

Moses’ calling was framed in the context of God’s compassionate mercy in Exodus 3:7: “The Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings.” Likewise, Moses’ departure is now framed in the context of God’s compassionate mercy in vss 26-29

Moses’ calling was framed in the context of God’s conquering power in Exodus 3:8 ““So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite.” Likewise, Moses’ departure is now framed in the context of God’s conquering power in vss 27 and 29.

As Moses prepares to depart from his office and depart from the earth, his concern is to remind Israel of God’s faithfulness, power, and mercy, and he does so through the pronouncement of this blessing.

But there is something peculiar about all these blessings. They carry a specific theme, and take a specific shape, and begin to point to something that is beyond Moses, and even beyond the nation of Israel.

Look back on each individual blessing. Notice the superlative language throughout. There is some dissonance here. These prophetic blessings are not necessarily in keeping with what Moses has said over and over again about the stubbornness and inevitable disobedience of Israel, and it is certainly not in keeping with the historical records of the obedience of the nation of Israel.

Many liberal scholars will say that Moses co-opted generic pagan blessings and therefore Moses shouldn’t be taken objectively here, but should be understood as intentionally speaking in the superlative, as was the tendency of many ancient songs of blessing. The blessing for Reuben is a great example. It was standard practice in the ancient near east for a prophet or religious leader to pronounce a blessing on their king by saying “May the king live forever.” This was intended as a gesture of honor and respect, but not intended to make sense empirically. Obviously the king will die at some point, because everyone dies at some point. That much is implicit in the statement. Nevertheless, you make the statement as a show of honor and respect. This tradition has carried over into our modern context. For example, in European monarchies throughout history, it is customary to pronounce the blessing “Long live the king” upon a new ruler’s succession to the throne. This is customary even today in countries in Europe that still operate as a monarchy.

The question then is, did Moses intend to be taken empirically or superlatively?

I believe he intended every one of these blessings to be understood as prophetic statements to be truly fulfilled. Moses isn’t speaking in the fluffy language of the royal courtroom. He is speaking in the solid words of the man of God.

Thus we must endeavor to discover how exactly these blessings are truly fulfilled.

Reuben

Reuben’s blessing is that he would live and not die, and that his offspring would be bountiful.

Revelation 1:17-18 tells us this: “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.” Christ thus declares Himself to be the one who lives and does not die. By virtue of the power of His resurrection, He can lay claim to this blessing.

Revelation 7:9 tells us this: “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;” John himself records that Christ’s men and women, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue are emphatically not few. By virtue of this great multitude standing before the Lamb, He can lay claim to this blessing.

Christ lives and does not die, and his men are not few. Thus, Christ is the true and better Reuben.

Judah

Judah’s first blessing was that he would be brought to his people.

John 1:14 tell us this: “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” As Judah desired to come to his people, so Jesus came to his people.

John 17:24 tells us this: ““Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” and Revelation 19:7 tells us this: ““Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”” and Revelation 21:2 tells us this: “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.” God brought the Son of Judah and His people together, as a bride and groom on their wedding day. By virtue of Christ’s union with His people, He can lay claim to the first blessing of Judah.

Judah’s second blessing is that he would contend for his people with his hands.

Matthew 8:3 “Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”

Matthew 19:13-15 “Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After laying His hands on them, He departed from there.”

John 20:27 “Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.””

Jesus, with his hands, contended for His people against their sickness, their suffering, and their sin. Thus He can lay claim to the second blessing of Judah.

Judah’s third blessing is that God would help Him against His adversaries.

Matthew 4:1–11 NASB95

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will bear You up, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ” Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

Jesus sought the help of His Father as He faced his adversary the devil, and God, by the power of Word and Spirit, helped him. Thus, Jesus can lay claim to the third blessing of Judah.

By virtue of His union with his people, the work of His hands in healing and redemption, and the help given to Him by His Father, Christ proves Himself to be the true and better Judah.

Levi

Levi’s first blessing is that the Thummim and Urim would belong to him, in other words, it would be given to Levi to provide judgment and to discern the will of the Lord.

John 5:30 ““I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” The judgment of God and will of God are infallibly discerned and declared by Jesus. Thus, he can lay claim to the first blessing of Levi.

Levi’s second blessing is that he would disregard his family for the sake of the Word and the covenant.

Matthew 12:47-50 “Someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.” But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! “For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”” Jesus disregarded his own family for the sake of the Word and covenant. Thus, He can lay claim to Levi’s second blessing.

Levi’s third blessing is that he would teach the laws and rules of Yahweh to Yahweh’s people.

Matthew 5:1-2 “When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them.”

Matthew 7:28-29 “When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”

Jesus taught with authority the things of God to the people of God. Thus, He can lay claim to Levi’s third blessing.

Levi’s fourth blessing is that they would offer incense and animal sacrifices.

Ephesians 5:1-2 “Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

Jesus offered himself as a fragrant offering and acceptable sacrifice. Thus, He can lay claim to Levi’s fourth blessing.

Levi’s fifth blessing is that His enemies would be crushed and shattered.

Revelation 20:10 “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

Jesus’ adversary, the one who hates him, will ultimately be thrown into the lake of fire, never to rise again. Thus, He can lay claim to Levi’s fifth blessing.

By virtue of Jesus’ judgment and discernment, His forsaking of His family, His teaching, His sacrifice, and His final victory over His enemies, He proves Himself to be the true and better Levi.

Benjamin

Benjamin’s blessing is that He would be a refuge and dwelling place for God’s people.

Matthew 11:28-29 ““Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

By virtue of the rest, refuge, and dwelling that Jesus provides for His people, He proves Himself to be the true and better Benjamin.

Joseph

Joseph’s first blessing is bountiful harvest.

John 2:7-10 “Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it to him. When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.””

John 6:8-13 “One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. When they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.” So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.”

Jesus brought a bounty of food and drink during His ministry. But He also brought a bounty of spiritual food and drink.

John 6:53-58 “So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. “For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. “As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. “This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.””

Jesus provided food and drink for both body and spirit. Thus, He can lay claim to Joseph’s first blessing.

Joseph’s second blessing is that he will push or gore or destroy the peoples to the ends of the earth.

Psalm 2:8-9 “‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.’ ””

Revelation 12:1-5 “A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; and she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child. And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne.”

Jesus rules as the God-installed King of Zion, to the ends of the earth, pushing and ruling the nations with a rod of iron. Thus, He can lay claim to Joseph’s second blessing.

By virtue of His bountiful supply and his global rule, Jesus proves Himself to be the true and better Joseph.

Zebulun and Isaachar

Zebulun and Isachaar’s shared blessing is that they will call the nations to the mountain to worship.

Matthew 28:16-20 “But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””

Jesus, by way of His disciples, called all nations, from a mountain, to offer living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is spiritual worship, and thus proves Himself to be the true and better Zebulun and the true and better Isachaar.

Gad and Dan

The blessing of Gad and Dan is that they are likened to a lion, the ancient symbol of royalty and kingship.

Revelation 5:5 “and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.””

Matthew 12:14-21 “But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him. But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. Many followed Him, and He healed them all, and warned them not to tell who He was. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen; My Beloved in whom My soul is well-pleased; I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. “He will not quarrel, nor cry out; Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. “A battered reed He will not break off, And a smoldering wick He will not put out, Until He leads justice to victory. “And in His name the Gentiles will hope.””

Jesus is the lion that executes the justice of Yahweh, thus proving himself to be the true and better Gad and the true and better Dan.

Naphtali

Naphtali’s first blessing was the favor and pleasure of the Lord.

Matthew 3:16-17 “After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.””

Jesus was the object of the favor and blessing of His Father. Thus, He can lay claim to Naphtali’s first blessing.

Naphtali’s second blessing is that he would possess the sea and the south.

Psalm 2:8 “‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.”

Jesus was given posession of not only the sea and the south, but indeed the end of the earth. Thus, He can lay claim to Naphtali’s second blessing.

As the recipient of God’s divine favor, and as the possessor of the ends of the earth, Jesus proves himself to be the true and better Naphtali.

Asher

Asher’s first blessing is that he would be the most blessed and favored son.

Colossians 1:15 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”

Romans 8:29 “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;”

Philippians 2:9-11 “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Jesus is exalted, blessed, and favored even among His brethren. Thus, He can lay claim to the first blessing of Asher.

Asher’s second blessing is that he will dip his foot in oil.

John 12:3 “Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”

Jesus partook of the royal ritual of anointing the feet with oil, thus He can lay claim to Asher’s second blessing.

By virtue of His exaltation and anointing, Jesus proves himself to be the true and better Asher.

Conclusion

Moses’ blessing thus extends far beyond the 12 tribes of Israel, and points to the fulfillment of the purpose and blessing of each tribe. Jesus Christ is the true and better Israel, securing for the nation that which they could not secure for themselves: the blessings of faithfulness to the covenant. Where they failed, Christ succeeded, and now they receive the blessings of faithful obedience not by works of the law, but by faith in Christ. Israel must trust His work, and not their own, if they are to receive Moses’ blessings. This then is the unbreakable, immutable, triumphant grace of God that so captivated Moses. Grace that would triumph in the end because it gives righteousness as a gift rather than a wage. Grace that cannot be broken because it gives righteousness based on Christ’s merit and not the merit of the nation. Grace that cannot fail because it is accomplished and applied in Christ alone.

And this grace promised to Israel is the same grace promised to us. The blessings received by the 12 tribes in Christ are also yes and amen to us in Christ.

Therefore, we can say with confidence in Moses’ own words in verse 29:

Blessed are you, West Hills Church. Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, who is the shield of your help and the sword of your majesty. So your enemies will cringe before you, and you will tread upon their high places.

This is our hope. In Christ, Yahweh becomes our salvation, our sword, and our shield. In Him, we will finally be victorious. In Him, sin, the flesh, and the devil will one day cringe before us. In Him, we will one day tread upon their high places.

May we trust Christ in order to receive these blessings.