THE BLESSING OF THE TRIBES BY

MOSES
DEUTERONOMY 33
Preached at
Clifton Hall in two parts October 2009
Hildenbrough Gospel Hall November 2009
Ely Gospel Hall, (inc brief report of work) 5 December 2009
Cyprus Road Gospel Hall, Faversham December 2009
(Not all the tribes covered in some meetings due to lack of time)
Tooting February (as part of 7 week study in Deuteronomy)

BRIEF OUTLINE
The book comprises of three broad sections –

1. LOOKING BACK. Rehearsal of what God has done for them.

(Chapters 1-4:43)

2. LOOKING UP. What God expects from them. (Chapters 4:44-

26:19). 12:1 is the key to this section. “These are the statutes and
judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of
thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth.”

3. LOOKING FORWARD. What God will do for them in the

future (Chapters 27:1-34:12)

When the Lord Jesus was tempted of the Devil, He responded by quoting
three times from the first section. This covers all periods of Israel’s history
and man’s history.

There are some 20 listings of the tribes of Israel in the Bible beginning
with the birth of Jacob’s sons in order of their birth. However, all the
other listings have the arrangements of the tribes in different orders with
sometimes a tribe left out.

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When this occurs there is a moral and spiritual reason for it as we see
when we contrast with Genesis 49 where Jacob speaks of the future of the
tribes.

Jacob sees them in the light of GOD’S HOLINESS and therefore we find
that their sins are mentioned. Moses sees them in the light of GOD’S
GRACE and therefore there is no mention of their sin.

e.g. Reuben’s sin and punishment is mentioned

“Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed;
then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.” (Genesis 49:4)

Simeon and Levi’s cruelty and punishment is mentioned

“Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O my
soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou
united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.
Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide
them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.” (Genesis 49:5-6)

Issachar’s laziness is foretold

“Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens: And he saw that rest was
good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a
servant unto tribute.” (Genesis 49:14-15)

Dan’s craftiness was foretold

“Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so
that his rider shall fall backward.” (Genesis 49:17)

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We have a lesson for ourselves that when viewed in the light of God’s
holiness we were indeed great sinners but now saved by sovereign grace
we can sing with the hymn writer.

I hear the accuser roar,

Of ills that I have done;
I know them well and thousands more,
JEHOVAH FINDETH NONE!

Sin, Satan, Death press near

To harass and appal;
Let but my risen Lord appear
Backward they go and fall"

In Deuteronomy 33, we see a type of the spiritual blessings enjoyed by

Christians today whose blessing and inheritance is in heaven.
The contrast being that though the blessing here was divided amongst the
tribes, the Christian enjoys all of them.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all
spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3)

We can say with David, “my cup runneth over” (Psalm 23:5)

1 ¶ And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God

blessed the children of Israel before his death.

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 1. BLESSING OF REUBEN
6 ¶ Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.

The right of the first-born was withheld from Reuben (Gen 49:3–4), but
Moses promises that he will prosper. The phrase let not his men be few
means that his descendants would continue in existence and would not be
small in number.1

There has been a difference of opinion arising from the second phrase.
There Hebrew reads as in Young's Literal Translation
 - “Let Reuben live,
and not die, And let his men be a number.”

Some take this in a positive way as the KJV and others

“Let Reuben live and not die, nor his men be few.” NIV
“Let Reuben live, and not die, nor let his men be few.” RSV
“Let Reuben live, and not die; Nor let his men be few.” ASV

Some take this to be negative

J. N. Darby translates the second phrase as “Let Reuben live, and not die; And
let his men be few.”
“May Reuben live and not die out, but let his men be few.” NAB
“Let the people of Reuben live and not die, but let the people be few.” NCV

Others have a slightly different view –

“Let the tribe of Reuben live and not die out, though they are few in number.” NLT
“May Reuben live, and not die out, even though his numbers are few.” NRSV

However, given the fact that this is a chapter of unmixed blessing it is

unlikely the phrase means that Reuben will be small in number.

1KJV Bible commentary. 1997, c1994 (Dt 33:6). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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 THE BLESSING OF LIFE
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1)

God’s people are not a small number but beyond number.

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all
nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the
Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice,
saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”
(Revelation 7:9-10)

“Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and
hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I
have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching
the word of God among them.” (Acts 18:9-11)

The Lord encouraged Paul when he was cast down with the great truth of
election.

Illustration: John Paton’s determination

John Gibson Paton (24 May 1824 - 28 January 1907), born in Scotland,
was a Protestant missionary to the New Hebrides Islands of the South
Pacific. Paton undertook a tremendous work which would yield little fruit
for decades, convinced of the absolute sovereignty of God to build his
church.
His wife and baby son died soon after landing in the Island of Tanna.
Paton wrote, Whensoever Tanna turns to the Lord, and is won for Christ,
men in after-days will find the memory of that spot still green, -- where
with ceaseless prayers and tears I claimed that land for God in which I had
"buried my dead" with faith and hope. But for Jesus, and the fellowship
He vouchsafed me there, I must have gone mad and died beside that
lonely grave!
Many years later after remarrying John Paton went to the nearby island of
Aniwa.
In Aniwa they found the natives to be very similar to those on Tanna -
"The same superstitions, the same cannibalistic cruelties and depravities,

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the same barbaric mentality, the same lack of altruistic or humanitarian
impulses were in evidence."
Enduring many years of deprivation, danger from natives and disease, they
continued with their work and after many years of patient ministry, the
entire island of Aniwa professed Christianity. In 1899 he saw his Aniwa
New Testament printed and the establishment of missionaries on twenty
five of the thirty islands of the New Hebrides.

2. BLESSING OF JUDAH
7 And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, Hear, LORD, the
voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be
sufficient for him; and be thou an help to him from his enemies.

Judah was given the responsibility to lead the tribes on the battlefield and
would be vulnerable to attack. Moses prayed for them to have military
success prayer. As he returns to the people after conquest, they are
obedient to him. It was through Judah that the kings would come and
ultimately the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ.
“The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until
Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” (Genesis 49:10)

This will be fulfilled when the Lord Jesus returns in glory and power as the
Lion of the tribe of Judah.
“And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda,
the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.”
(Revelation 5:5)

POWER THROUGH PRAYER

The first sign of spiritual life is prayer as in the case of Saul of Tarsus.
“And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight,
and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth”
(Acts 9:11)

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E. M. Bounds wrote a book which became a classic called power through
prayer. There is no book like it which expounds the Scriptures on prayer
and stirs up the believer to spend more time with God in prayer.

“The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better
men.”

“What the Church needs to-day is not more machinery or better, not new
organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost
can use -- men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not
flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on
machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men -- men of
prayer.”

Illustration: Organised but dead

The we read that Saul was brought unto the people of God
“And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with
the disciples which were at Damascus.” (Acts 9:19)

Saul also increased in strength and his hands were sufficient for him.
“But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at
Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.” (Acts 9:22)

Saul also had enemies who sought to slay him but the Lord was a hep to
him from his enemies and preserved him till his work was done.
“And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the
Grecians: but they went about to slay him. Which when the brethren knew, they brought
him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.” (Acts 9:29-30)

BLESSING OF SIMEON LEFT OUT

Simeon had their portion inside Judah as Jacob prophesied.
“Out of the portion of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of
Simeon: for the part of the children of Judah was too much for them: therefore the
children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of them.” (Joshua 19:9)

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A. C. Gaebelein has a suggestion why Simeon is left out. He links it with
the Second Coming of Christ.

Simeon is left out. We shall not give the different explanations which are
offered, nor burden our pages with the unworthy theories of higher
criticism.
Reuben (behold a son'); Simeon (hearing); Levi (joined); Judah (praise).
This is the order of the sons of Jacob according to their birth. It tells out
the gospel. In the blessing of Moses the order is: Reuben (behold a son!);
Judah (praise); Levi (joined). Simeon (hearing) is left out. When the Lord
comes Israel will behold Him as the Son and will break out in praise and
worship and become joined to Him. No "hearing" is needed then. We pass
this on to our readers for consideration. We have nowhere seen this
application.

“And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother,
saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the
greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember
their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34)
(Also quoted in Hebrews 8:11)

3. BLESSING OF LEVI
8 ¶ And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy
holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou
didst strive at the waters of Meribah;
9 Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him;
neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children:
for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.
10 They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they
shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine
altar.
11 Bless, LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands:
smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them
that hate him, that they rise not again.

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Because of their loyalty to Moses and to the Lord (Exodus 17:1-7; 32:26-
27) they were given the blessing of the Priesthood which included the
privilege of (1) knowing the mind of the Lord through the Urim and the
Thummim; (2) teaching the Word of God; (3) worshipping in the
sanctuary; (4) acceptance with the Lord.

3.1 KNOWING THE MIND OF THE LORD

Thummim and Urim are first mentioned in connection with the garments
of glory and beauty for Aaron.
“And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and
they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall
bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD
continually.” (Exodus 28:30)
They were for making judgments, decisions for Israel, to make know the
mind of the Lord on certain matters.

They were placed in the breastplate, which is called “the breastplate of

judgement” three times in Exodus 28 or decisions in the Bible.

Mentions in Scripture

These stones are only mentioned three times in the Pentateuch (Exodus
28:30; Numbers 27:21; Deuteronomy 33:8), once in 2 Samuel and twice
after the Babylonian exile (Ezra 2:63; Nehemiah 7:65)

(a) They were put inside the breastplate pocket

“And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and
they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall
bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD
continually.” (Exodus 28:30)

(b) The Urim declared the judgment of the Lord

“And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the
judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they

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shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.”
(Numbers 27:21)

“And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by
dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.” (1 Samuel 28:6)

Note that the Thummim is not mentioned in these above passages.

The will of God could not be revealed without these stones

“And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till
there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.” (Ezra 2:63)

“These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not
found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. And the Tirshatha said
unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest
with Urim and Thummim.” (Nehemiah 7:64-65)

There are places in the Bible where Urim and Thummim may be implied
but are not named (Josh. 7:14–18; 1 Sam. 14:37–45; 2 Sam. 21:1).2

“The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.”
(Proverbs 16:33)

The word for lap is translated as “bosom” 32 times in the AV. It could
refer the to breastplate which was upon the bosom of the High Priest. The
lot would be the Urim and Thummim stones which were cast in.

Various theories about the Urim and Thummim

Otherwise, there is no indication that the nation used them to make
decisions.
Perhaps as a result, there is a great deal of speculation as to how the
Urim and Thummim delivered a verdict. Some believe that the gemstones
were cast like dice. Others believe that the stones were engraved with

2
Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson
Publishers. (1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Nashville: T.
Nelson.
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symbols that signified yes or no, true or false.
The Jewish historian Josephus (a.d. 37–100?) believed that the Urim
and Thummim had to do with the flashing of the precious stones in the
breastplate. Other writers held that the letters in the names of the twelve
tribes of Israel engraved on the stones stood out or flashed in succession
to spell out God’s reply. Another theory is that by staring at the glow of
the stones, the high priest would go into a trance during which God would
speak to him.
All of these theories are pure guesswork. No one knows the exact
nature of the Urim and Thummim or precisely how they were used.
However, it is easy to see that in the days before much of the Scriptures
were written or collected, there was a need for some kind of divine
guidance. Today, of course, we have God’s complete written revelation,
and therefore have no need of devices such as the Urim and Thummim.3

We have the mind of the Lord

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the
mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)

Illustration: The Old Scottish Woman’s stick

Walter Knight told of an old Scottish woman who went from home to
home across the countryside selling thread, buttons, and shoestrings.
When she came to an unmarked crossroad, she would toss a stick into the
air and go in the direction the stick pointed when it landed.
One day, however, she was seen tossing the stick up several times. "Why
do you toss the stick more than once?" someone asked. "Because," replied
the woman, "it keeps pointing to the left, and I want to take the road on
the right." She then dutifully kept throwing the stick into the air until it
pointed the way she wanted to go!
Today in the Word, May, 1989.

3.2 TEACHING THE WORD OF GOD

3
Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (Ex 28:30).
Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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They proved they were fit to teach God’s laws for when the real tests
came, this tribe stood loyal to the covenant with God and were even
willing to slay family members who had sinned.

3.3 WORSHIPPING GOD IN THR SANCTUARY

Following on from the blessing of Judah we see that once the believer is
brought unto people, the people of God, there develops a life of
consecration and worship as seen in the blessing of Levi.

“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood…But ye are
a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should
shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous
light” (1 Peter 2:5-9)

We are able offer spiritual sacrifices such as praise and worship (Hebrews
13:15), our bodies for His service (Romans 12:1), our financial help to
those in need (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:6); Following on from the
blessing of Judah we see that once the believer is brought unto people, the
people of God, there develops a life of consecration and worship as seen
in the blessing of Levi; We are able to intercede for others (Colossian 4:12)

4. BLESSING OF BENJAMIN
12 ¶ And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell
in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and
he shall dwell between his shoulders.

Jacob had a special love for Benjamin.

“And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a
little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth
him.” (Genesis 44:20)
The Lord also declares His love for Benjamin.

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Dwelling between his shoulders means that Benjamin will lie in the bosom
of the Lord like John leaned on the bosom of the Lord (John 13:23) or
that they would be carried on the shoulders like a man carries his son. This
seems more likely given that the Lord says this of all Israel in
Deuteronomy 1:31
“And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee,
as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.”

“Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.” (John
13:23)
The word for bosom in the Greek is kolpos (Strongs 2859) “the front of
the body between the arms”

Either way, it speaks of close fellowship with God.

THE BLESSING OF FELLOWSHIP

The blessing of Benjamin reminds us of what the Lord Jesus prayed in His
High Priestly prayer of John 17.

Our safety
“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest
me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture
might be fulfilled.” (John 17:12)

God’s care for us

“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep
them from the evil.” (John 17:15)

We are the beloved of the Lord

“I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world
may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” (John
17:23)

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Illustration: The father and daughter
G. Campbell Morgan told a story about a father and his young daughter
who were especially close. They enjoyed spending time together. If he
went for a walk or made a social call, she wanted to go along. But then he
began to notice a change. When he asked her to accompany him on
errands, she made excuses. As the weeks passed, he became concerned
about it.
When his birthday came, she presented him with a pair of slippers she
had made. Then he realized that she had been working on them while he
was out of the house. "Darling, I like these slippers very much," he said
gently, "but next time buy the slippers and let me have you all the days. I
would rather have you than anything you can make for me."
Beyond any work we may do for God, time spent in His presence must
take priority. He desires our fellowship first of all. If our worship is
neglected, our work will be deficient.

Reader, seek to know, more and more, the reality and blessedness of
Benjamin's place and portion. Be not satisfied with anything short of the
enjoyed presence of Christ, the abiding sense of relationship and nearness
to Him. Be assured of it, it is your happy privilege. Let nothing rob you of
it. Keep ever near the Shepherd's side, reposing in His love, lying down in
the green pastures and beside the still waters. (C. H. Mackintosh)

5. BLESSING OF JOSEPH
13¶ And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the
precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that
coucheth beneath,
14 And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the
precious things put forth by the moon,
15 And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the
precious things of the lasting hills,
16 And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and
for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come
upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that
was separated from his brethren.

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17 His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like
the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together
to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim,
and they are the thousands of Manasseh.

Joseph received the blessing of the first born son, a double portion of the
inheritance.
“Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but,
forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph
the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.” (1
Chronicles 5:1)

Note the word “precious” occurring five times in relation to Joseph’s

blessings. Joseph would get the choicest and the best of everything.
The Hebrew word meged means “excellence”

“Separated” is the Hebrew word meaning “distinguished” of the one

distinguished ‫ יר‬ne·zir 5139 one consecrated, devoted from nazar
The Nazarite was separated to God

Though the word “separated” is understood as Joseph’s separation in the

land of Egypt from his brethren, we can see it means more than that.
It could speak of Joseph’s pre-eminence. Jacob gave him a coat of many
colours and he was exalted by God over his brethren over all Egypt.

Magnificent range of blessing! And all this flowing from and based upon
his sufferings. It is needless to say that all these blessings will be made
good in the experience of Israel, by-and-by. The sufferings of the true
Joseph will form the imperishable foundation of the future blessedness of
His brethren in the land of Canaan (C. H. Mackintosh)

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 THE BLESSING OF FRUITFULNESS
Illustration: Loving God’s Son

Joseph inherited the best blessing but we too have inherited the very best
God can give us.
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we
suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:17)

Joseph’s blessing was the greatest for he had suffered the most, first at the
hands of his brethren and then at the hands of the Egyptians.

The amount of glory and blessing is related to the extent of suffering for
the Lord.
“But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I
drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” (Mark 10:38)

Our blessing is based on the sufferings of Christ and our reward on our
willing to suffer reproach for our Lord.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that
beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (John 15:2)

Apostate Christians are taken away and true believers are pruned to bear
more fruit.

God removes all things in the believer’s life that would hinder fruit-
bearing, i.e., he chastises to cut away sin and hindrances that would drain
spiritual life just as the farmer removes anything on the branches that keep
them from bearing maximum fruit (Heb. 12:3–11).4

4MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Jn 15:2). Nashville: Word Pub.
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 6. BLESSING OF ZEBULUN & ISSACHAR
18 ¶ And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out;
and, Issachar, in thy tents.

Zebulun was assured prosperity in the seas (in fishing, maritime

commerce, etc.) and at the seashores (in shellfish; purple dye, made from
shellfish; and glass, made from sand).5

Issachar. He was blessed in thy tents, which speaks of the comfortable

enjoyment of life. Taken together, Zebulun and Issachar had the joint
blessings of labor and rest. They would enjoy the prosperity of God, both
at home and abroad.6

Zebulun and Issachar, the last two sons of Leah, are mentioned together
and in the same order as they are in Jacob's blessing, the younger being
placed first. What is asserted of these two tribes speaks of them together as
a unit. The poetic parallelistic structure of the first two lines is to be
understood as a play on the fairly common expression of one's daily
activity as "going out and coming in," with "in your tents" equivalent to
"coming in." So then the sense is "Rejoice, Zebulun, and you, Issachar, in
all your activities." EBC

19 ¶ They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall
offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance
of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand.

The mountain would refer to the mountain of the Lord’s house.

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house
shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and
all nations shall flow unto it.” (Isaiah 2:2)

5King James Version study Bible . 1997, c1988 (electronic ed.) (Dt 33:18). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
6KJV Bible commentary. 1997, c1994 (Dt 33:18). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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Here we see the spiritual lesson of evangelical activity, a going forth to
others to call them unto the Lord.

The sea and the sand represent the vast multitudes of people in this world.

Thus it is always in principle. It is our privilege to rejoice in the Lord, come

what may, and to draw from those eternal springs and hidden treasures
that are to be found in Himself. Then shall we be in a condition of soul to
call others to taste and see that the Lord is good; and, not only so, but to
present to God those sacrifices of righteousness so acceptable to Him. (C.
H. Mackintosh)

THE BLESSING OF EVANGELISM AND THE PILGRIM LIFE

Like Zebulun we are to go forth to the sea of the Gentiles and bring in the
precious souls to God reminding ourselves that we are in this world for
only a while as pilgrims and strangers.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Issachar would depict the joy of the pilgrim. However, some like C. A.
Coates view the tent as the assembly into which the souls are brought. In
connection with this he notes Paul was a tent maker and planter of
assemblies.

Illustration: The frozen crew

A small ship was seen among the icebergs of the arctic regions. It did not
seem to be moving when seen at a distance. Another ship hailed the vessel
with a loud, "Ship ahoy," but there was no response. On entering the craft,
it was found that all on board were frozen and dead. The captain was
sitting at a table as if writing. The book on the table contained a record of
conditions.

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They had been out of fuel for weeks, according to the diary, and were just
drifting. From the last entry of the diary, it was found that they had been
frozen, dead, and drifting for about thirteen years!

7. BLESSING OF GAD
20 And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he
dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.

The Gadites were to play an important role in the battle. Even though they
had already possessed their portion of the land east of the Jordan, they
would nevertheless cooperate faithfully along with the rest of Israel in the
completion of the conquest.7

Moses praises God for enlarging Gad, implying an unlimited space for
development. Gad is likened to a lioness, a fierce beast that was
unchallenged in the area where she dwelt. As a lioness must capture its
food and lodging, so Gad would have to conquer that which they desired.
The reference to Gad’s choosing the first fruit territory, i.e., the first part,
relates to Gad’s obtaining land beyond Jordan from Moses. The tribe’s
initiative in being the first to request land predated this reference to its
geographical expansion, but confirmed Moses’ prediction concerning
them.8

21 And he provided the first part for himself, because there, in a

portion of the lawgiver, was he seated; and he came with the heads
of the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and his
judgments with Israel.

7King James Version study Bible . 1997, c1988 (electronic ed.) (Dt 33:20). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
8KJV Bible commentary. 1997, c1994 (Dt 33:20). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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 THE BLESSING OF COURAGE
“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” (Proverbs
28:1)

Illustration: David Wilkerson’s courage before Nicky Cruz.

I heard Nicky Cruz share his testimony at the Fairfield Hall in Croydon
many years ago. He said that slapped Wilkerson once and when he
threatened to cut up the preacher with his knife, David Wilkerson said to
him that even if he did that each piece of him would not stop loving him.
Nicky Cruz was eventually saved and started a ministry to reach out to
those involved in gangs.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
(Ephesians 6:10-11)

8. BLESSING OF DAN
22 ¶ And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion’s whelp: he shall leap from
Bashan.

Dan. When Jacob blessed Dan, he compared him to a serpent that bit a
horse’s feet so that the rider fell backward (Gen 49:17). Now Moses
compares the tribe to a young lion which suddenly springs from its
ambush to make an attack. He is making reference to the impetuous nature
of the Danites and to the fact that they were quick to follow their
inclinations.9

9KJV Bible commentary. 1997, c1994 (Dt 33:22). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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 9. BLESSING OF NAPHTALI
23 ¶ And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and
full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the
south.

THE BLESSING OF SATISFACTION

The West and the South are mentioned by the Lord in the gospel of Luke.
“And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye
say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say,
There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky
and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?” (Luke 12:54-56)

Weather forecasters of that day were looking out for good weather for
their crops so that they might have a good harvest but did not discern the
spiritual lessons clearly brought before them in the mighty ministry of
Christ.

We shall have showers of blessing through Christ and the sunshine of His
love upon us.

10. BLESSING OF ASHER

24 ¶ And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let

him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil.
25 Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy
strength be.

This last blessing is taken from the name of Asher himself, which means
“happiness”
“And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his
name Asher.” (Genesis 30:13)

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They were to be “the most happy” among the happy tribes Cf. “happy art
thou O Israel (v.29).

Anna fulfilled this in her life.

“And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser:
she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the
temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that
instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked
for redemption in Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:36-38)

They would be secure from their enemies, thus blessed by God with
strength to live life to its fullest throughout their lifetime.
10

Bathing his feet in olive oil (probably mixed with various fragrant
unguents) and having a secure residence behind gates bolted with iron and
bronze bars, the tribe of Asher will grow in strength as its days increase in
number. EBC

The name Asher meant “prosperous,” and the tribe justly bore its name.
Moses blessed it with earthly goods. Even the expression dip his foot in oil
meant prosperity. Also, the phrase as thy days, so shall thy strength be
meant technically, “let thine old age be as thy youth.”11

Asher, meaning "happy," appropriately concludes this interesting list.

"Asher is most blessed of sons: let him be favored by his brothers, and let
him dip his foot in oil" (v.24). Again, all Israel is represented in the lasting
joy of which Asher speaks. "They shall obtain joy and gladness, and
sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isa.35:10). Dipping his foot in oil
speaks of the Holy Spirit (the oil) influencing his walk from this time
onward.
"Your sandals shall be iron and bronze (or copper)." Iron speaks of
strength and copper holiness. There will be no weakening of a consistent
walk before God in holiness throughout the millennium. Their days will be
"as the days of a tree" (Isa.65:22), continuing for the thousand years of the

10King James Version study Bible . 1997, c1988 (electronic ed.) (Dt 33:24). Nash ville: Thomas Nelson.
11KJV Bible commentary. 1997, c1994 (Dt 33:24). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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millennial age, and "as your days, so shall your strength be" (v.25). Their
strength will not fail even after 1000 years! (L. M. Grant)

THE BLESSING OF HAPPINESS

The greatest possible happiness and joy has been given to the believer. It is
a joy that is unspeakable.
“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye
rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8)

In order to maintain this joy of seeing Christ, just as Asher dipped his foot
in oil, the believer is to walk in the Spirit and experience the joy of the
Holy Ghost.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk
not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy
in the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 14:17)

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)

Illustration: The minister who gave thanks in miserable weather

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