the blessing of the tribes by moses

8/8/2019 The Blessing of the Tribes by Moses

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THE BLESSING OF THE TRIBES BY

MOSES

DEUTERONOMY33

Preached atClifton Hall in two parts October 2009

Hildenbrough Gospel Hall November 2009Ely 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 andjudgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God ofthy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye liveupon the earth.

3. LOOKING FORWARD. What God will do for them in thefuture (Chapters 27:1-34:12)

When the Lord Jesus was tempted of the Devil, He responded by quotingthree times from the first section. This covers all periods of Israels historyand mans history.

There are some 20 listings of the tribes of Israel in the Bible beginningwith the birth of Jacobs sons in order of their birth. However, all theother listings have the arrangements of the tribes in different orders withsometimes a tribe left out.


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

Jacob sees them in the light of GODS HOLINESS and therefore we find

that their sins are mentioned. Moses sees them in the light of GODSGRACE and therefore there is no mention of their sin.

e.g. Reubens sin and punishment is mentionedUnstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy fathers bed;then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. (Genesis 49:4)

Simeon and Levis cruelty and punishment is mentioned

Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O mysoul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thouunited: 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 dividethem in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. (Genesis 49:5-6)

Issachars laziness is foretoldIssachar 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 aservant unto tribute. (Genesis 49:14-15)

Dans craftiness was foretoldDan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, sothat 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 Godsholiness we were indeed great sinners but now saved by sovereign gracewe 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 nearTo harass and appal;

Let but my risen Lord appearBackward they go and fall"

In Deuteronomy 33, we see a type of the spiritual blessings enjoyed byChristians today whose blessing and inheritance is in heaven.The contrast being that though the blessing here was divided amongst thetribes, the Christian enjoys all of them.Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with allspiritual 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 Godblessed 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 49:34), butMoses promises that he will prosper. The phrase let not his men be fewmeans that his descendants would continue in existence and would not besmall 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 othersLet Reuben live and not die, nor his men be few. NIVLet Reuben live, and not die, nor let his men be few. RSVLet Reuben live, andnot 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; Andlet his men be few.May Reuben live and not die out, but let his men be few. NABLet the people of Reuben live and not die, but let the people be few. NCV

Others have a slightly different viewLet the tribe of Reuben live and not die out, though they are few in number. NLTMay 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 isunlikely the phrase means that Reuben will be small in number.

1KJV Bible commentary. 1997, c1994 (Dt 33:6). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
http://yltbible.com/deuteronomy/33.htmhttp://yltbible.com/deuteronomy/33.htm


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THE BLESSING OF LIFE

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1)

Gods people are not a small number but beyond number.

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of allnations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before theLamb, 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, andhold 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, teachingthe word of God among them. (Acts 18:9-11)

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

Illustration: John Patons determinationJohn Gibson Paton (24 May 1824 - 28 January 1907), born in Scotland,was a Protestant missionaryto the New Hebrides Islands of the SouthPacific. Paton undertook a tremendous work which would yield little fruitfor decades, convinced of the absolute sovereignty of God to build hischurch.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, -- wherewith 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 fellowshipHe vouchsafed me there, I must have gone mad and died beside thatlonely grave!Many years later after remarrying John Paton went to the nearby island ofAniwa.In Aniwa they found the natives to be very similar to those on Tanna -

"The same superstitions, the same cannibalistic cruelties and depravities,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotlandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missionaryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hebrideshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hebrideshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missionaryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland


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the same barbaric mentality, the same lack of altruistic or humanitarianimpulses were in evidence."Enduring many years of deprivation, danger from natives and disease, theycontinued with their work and after many years of patient ministry, theentire island of Aniwa professed Christianity. In 1899 he saw his Aniwa

New Testament printed and the establishment of missionaries on twentyfive of the thirty islands of the New Hebrides.

2.BLESSING OFJUDAH

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 besufficient for him; and be thou an help to him from his enemies.

Judah was given the responsibility to lead the tribes on the battlefield andwould be vulnerable to attack. Moses prayed for them to have militarysuccess prayer. As he returns to the people after conquest, they areobedient 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, untilShiloh 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 theLion 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)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity


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E. M. Bounds wrote a book which became a classic called power throughprayer. There is no book like it which expounds the Scriptures on prayerand 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 neworganizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghostcan use -- men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does notflow through methods, but through men. He does not come onmachinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men -- men ofprayer.

Illustration: Organised but dead

The we read that Saul was brought unto the people of GodAnd when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days withthe 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 atDamascus, proving that this is veryChrist. (Acts 9:22)

Saul also had enemies who sought to slay him but the Lord was a hep tohim 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 theGrecians: 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 ofSimeon: for the part of the children of Judah was too much for them: therefore thechildren 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 withthe Second Coming of Christ.

Simeon is left out. We shall not give the different explanations which areoffered, 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 outthe gospel. In the blessing of Moses the order is: Reuben (behold a son!);Judah (praise); Levi (joined). Simeon (hearing) is left out. When the Lordcomes Israel will behold Him as the Son and will break out in praise andworship and become joined to Him. No "hearing" is needed then. We passthis 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 thegreatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remembertheir 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 thyholy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thoudidst 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: theyshall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thinealtar.11 Bless, LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands:smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of themthat 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 theprivilege of (1) knowing the mind of the Lord through the Urim and theThummim; (2) teaching the Word of God; (3) worshipping in thesanctuary; (4) acceptance with the Lord.

3.1KNOWING THE MIND OF THE LORD

Thummim and Urim are first mentioned in connection with the garmentsof glory and beauty for Aaron.And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; andthey shall be upon Aarons heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall

bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORDcontinually. (Exodus 28:30)They were for making judgments, decisions for Israel, to make know themind of the Lord on certain matters.

They were placed in the breastplate, which is called the breastplate ofjudgementthree times in Exodus 28 or decisions in the Bible.

Mentions in Scripture

These stones are only mentioned three times in the Pentateuch (Exodus28:30; Numbers 27:21; Deuteronomy 33:8), once in 2 Samuel and twiceafter the Babylonian exile (Ezra 2:63; Nehemiah 7:65)

(a) They were put inside the breastplate pocketAnd thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; andthey shall be upon Aarons heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shallbear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORDcontinually. (Exodus 28:30)

(b) The Urim declared the judgment of the Lord

And heshall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after thejudgment 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 bydreams, 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, tillthere stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim. (Ezra 2:63)

These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but itwas notfound: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. And the Tirshatha saidunto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priestwith Urim and Thummim. (Nehemiah 7:64-65)

There are places in the Bible where Urim and Thummim may be impliedbut are not named (Josh. 7:1418; 1 Sam. 14:3745; 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 couldrefer the to breastplate which was upon the bosom of the High Priest. Thelot would be the Urim and Thummim stones which were cast in.

Various theories about the Urim and ThummimOtherwise, there is no indication that the nation used them to makedecisions.

Perhaps as a result, there is a great deal of speculation as to how theUrim and Thummim delivered a verdict. Some believe that the gemstoneswere cast like dice. Others believe that the stones were engraved with

2

Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas NelsonPublishers. (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. 37100?) believed that the Urim

and Thummim had to do with the flashing of the precious stones in thebreastplate. Other writers held that the letters in the names of the twelvetribes of Israel engraved on the stones stood out or flashed in succession

to spell out Gods reply. Another theory is that by staring at the glow ofthe stones, the high priest would go into a trance during which God wouldspeak to him.

All of these theories are pure guesswork. No one knows the exactnature 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 Scriptureswere written or collected, there was a need for some kind of divineguidance.Today, of course, we have Gods complete written revelation,

and therefore have no need of devices such as the Urim and Thummim.3

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

Illustration:The Old Scottish Womans stickWalter Knight told of an old Scottish woman who went from home tohome across the countryside selling thread, buttons, and shoestrings.When she came to an unmarked crossroad, she would toss a stick into theair and go in the direction the stick pointed when it landed.One day, however, she was seen tossing the stick up several times. "Whydo 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 onthe right." She then dutifully kept throwing the stick into the air until itpointed the way she wanted to go!Today in the Word, May, 1989.

3.2TEACHING THEWORD OF GOD

3Word 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 Gods laws for when the real testscame, this tribe stood loyal to the covenant with God and were evenwilling to slay family members who had sinned.

3.3WORSHIPPING GOD IN THR SANCTUARY

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

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthoodBut ye are

a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye shouldshew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellouslight (1 Peter 2:5-9)

We are able offer spiritual sacrifices such as praise and worship (Hebrews13:15), our bodies for His service (Romans 12:1), our financial help tothose in need (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:6); Following on from theblessing of Judah we see that once the believer is brought unto people, thepeople of God, there develops a life of consecration and worship as seenin 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 dwellin 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, alittle one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father lovethhim. (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 bosomof the Lord like John leaned on the bosom of the Lord (John 13:23) orthat they would be carried on the shoulders like a man carries his son. Thisseems more likely given that the Lord says this of all Israel inDeuteronomy 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. (John13:23)The word for bosom in the Greek is kolpos (Strongs 2859) the front ofthe 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 HisHigh Priestly prayer of John 17.

Our safetyWhile I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavestme I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripturemight be fulfilled. (John 17:12)

Gods care for usI pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keepthem from the evil. (John 17:15)

We are the beloved of the LordI 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. (John17:23)
http://net.bible.org/search.php?search=greek_strict_index:2859http://net.bible.org/search.php?search=greek_strict_index:2859http://net.bible.org/search.php?search=greek_strict_index:2859


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Illustration: The father and daughterG. Campbell Morgan told a story about a father and his young daughter

who were especially close. They enjoyed spending time together. If hewent for a walk or made a social call, she wanted to go along. But then hebegan to notice a change. When he asked her to accompany him on

errands, she made excuses. As the weeks passed, he became concernedabout it.

When his birthday came, she presented him with a pair of slippers shehad made. Then he realized that she had been working on them while hewas out of the house. "Darling, I like these slippers very much," he saidgently, "but next time buy the slippers and let me have you all the days. Iwould 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 isneglected, our work will be deficient.

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

5.BLESSING OFJOSEPH

13 And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for theprecious 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 theprecious things put forth by the moon,15 And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for theprecious things of the lasting hills,16 And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, andfor the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing comeupon 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 likethe horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people togetherto 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 theinheritance.Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but,forasmuch as he defiled his fathers bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Josephthe son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. (1Chronicles 5:1)

Note the word precious occurring five times in relation to Josephsblessings. Joseph would get the choicest and the best of everything.The Hebrew word megedmeans excellence

Separated is the Hebrew word meaning distinguished of the one

distinguished nezir 5139 one consecrated, devoted from nazarThe Nazarite was separated to God

Though the word separated is understood as Josephs separation in theland of Egypt from his brethren, we can see it means more than that.It could speak of Josephs pre-eminence. Jacob gave him a coat of manycolours and he was exalted by God over his brethren over all Egypt.

Magnificent range of blessing! And all this flowing from and based uponhis 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 trueJoseph will form the imperishable foundation of the future blessedness ofHis brethren in the land of Canaan (C. H. Mackintosh)
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THE BLESSING OF FRUITFULNESS

Illustration: Loving Gods 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 wesuffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17)

Josephs blessing was the greatest for he had suffered the most, first at thehands 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 Idrink 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 ourwilling 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 thatbeareth 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 bearmore fruit.

God removes all things in the believers life that would hinder fruit-bearing, i.e., he chastises to cut away sin and hindrances that would drainspiritual life just as the farmer removes anything on the branches that keepthem from bearing maximum fruit (Heb. 12:311).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, maritimecommerce, etc.) and at the seashores (in shellfish; purple dye, made fromshellfish; and glass, made from sand).5

Issachar. He was blessed in thy tents, which speaks of the comfortableenjoyment of life. Taken together, Zebulun and Issachar had the joint

blessings of labor and rest. They would enjoy the prosperity of God, bothat home and abroad.6

Zebulun and Issachar, the last two sons of Leah, are mentioned togetherand in the same order as they are in Jacob's blessing, the younger beingplaced first. What is asserted of these two tribes speaks of them together asa 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 dailyactivity as "going out and coming in," with "in your tents" equivalent to"coming in." So then the sense is "Rejoice, Zebulun, and you, Issachar, inall your activities." EBC

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

The mountain would refer to the mountain of the Lords house.And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORDS houseshall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; andall 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 toothers 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, comewhat may, and to draw from those eternal springs and hidden treasuresthat are to be found in Himself. Then shall we be in a condition of soul tocall others to taste and see that the Lord is good; and, not only so, but topresent 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 theprecious souls to God reminding ourselves that we are in this world foronly a while as pilgrims and strangers.Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, andof 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. Inconnection with this he notes Paul was a tent maker and planter ofassemblies.

Illustration: The frozen crewA small ship was seen among the icebergs of the arctic regions. It did notseem to be moving when seen at a distance. Another ship hailed the vesselwith 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 wassitting at a table as if writing. The book on the table contained a record ofconditions.


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

7.BLESSING OF GAD

20 And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: hedwelleth 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, theywould nevertheless cooperate faithfully along with the rest of Israel in thecompletion of the conquest.7

Moses praises God for enlarging Gad, implying an unlimited space fordevelopment. Gad is likened to a lioness, a fierce beast that wasunchallenged in the area where she dwelt. As a lioness must capture itsfood and lodging, so Gad would have to conquer that which they desired.

The reference to Gads choosing the first fruit territory, i.e., the first part,relates to Gads obtaining land beyond Jordan from Moses. The tribesinitiative in being the first to request land predated this reference to itsgeographical expansion, but confirmed Moses prediction concerningthem.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 headsof the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and hisjudgments with Israel.



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THE BLESSING OF COURAGE

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as alion. (Proverbs28:1)

Illustration: David Wilkersons courage before Nicky Cruz.I heard Nicky Cruz share his testimony at the Fairfield Hall in Croydonmany years ago. He said that slapped Wilkerson once and when hethreatened to cut up the preacher with his knife, David Wilkerson said tohim 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 tothose involved in gangs.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on thewhole 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 lions whelp: he shall leap fromBashan.

Dan. When Jacob blessed Dan, he compared him to a serpent that bit ahorses feet so that the rider fell backward (Gen 49:17). Now Mosescompares the tribe to a young lion which suddenly springs from its

ambush to make an attack. He is making reference to the impetuous natureof the Danites and to the fact that they were quick to follow theirinclinations.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, andfull 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 skyand 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 fortheir crops so that they might have a good harvest but did not discern thespiritual lessons clearly brought before them in the mighty ministry ofChrist.

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

10.BLESSING OFASHER

24 And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; lethim 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 thystrength be.

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


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They were to be the most happy among the happy tribes Cf. happy artthou 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 thetemple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in thatinstant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that lookedfor redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38)

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

10

Bathing his feet in olive oil (probably mixed with various fragrantunguents) and having a secure residence behind gates bolted with iron andbronze bars, the tribe of Asher will grow in strength as its days increase innumber. 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 oilmeant prosperity. Also, the phrase as thy days, so shall thy strength bemeant 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 lethim 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, andsorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isa.35:10). Dipping his foot in oilspeaks of the Holy Spirit (the oil) influencing his walk from this timeonward."Your sandals shall be iron and bronze (or copper)." Iron speaks ofstrength and copper holiness. There will be no weakening of a consistentwalk 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



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millennial age, and "as your days, so shall your strength be" (v.25). Theirstrength 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 isa joy that is unspeakable.Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, yerejoice 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 footin oil, the believer is to walk in the Spirit and experience the joy of theHoly Ghost.There is therefore now no condemnation to themwhich are in Christ Jesus, who walknot 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 joyin 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

the blessing of the tribes by moses

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