In this chapter we read of Moses blessing Israel, just as Isaac and Jacob did before He died, Deuteronomy 33:1 / Genesis 27:34-38 / Genesis 49:1-27. Remember a blessing which was spoken was binding, it was a will and testimony. Moses begins his blessing to Israel by speaking about God’s relationship with His people in the past.
They experienced the awesome power of God and were thereby thoroughly impressed by the seriousness of His Laws, Deuteronomy 33:2 / Exodus 13:21.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘These four places, Sinai, Seir, Paran, and Meribah-Kadesh, mentioned by Moses in the text, are the identical places where God manifested his glory in a fiery appearance, the more illustriously to proclaim his special providence over and care of Israel.’
He came with myriads of holy ones, that is angels, from the south, from His mountain slopes, Deuteronomy 33:2 / Zechariah 14:5. He says that God has always ‘loved’ them, Deuteronomy 33:3 / Exodus 19:4 / Deuteronomy 32:10-12, and He has demonstrated this by delivering a law to them. Notice that the holy ones, that is angels, attended the work of God among them, Deuteronomy 33:3 / Acts 7:54 / Galatians 3:19 / Hebrews 2:2.
Israel had sat down at God’s feet and received His words when receiving the Law at Sinai, Deuteronomy 33:3-4. They experienced the fire and smoke and were terrified at the sight, Exodus 13:21 / Exodus 19:16-21 / Exodus 20:18-21.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The people’ are the twelve tribes, not the Gentiles; and his saints refer to God’s chosen people just before spoken of, Deuteronomy 7:18 / Deuteronomy 7:21 / Exodus 19:6 / Daniel 7:8-21.’
Upon receiving the Law, God became their King, Deuteronomy 33:5, and their greatest possession, as citizens of God’s kingdom, was the law. The law set Israel apart from all the other nations, Deuteronomy 4:8, and so, they were sanctified through law-keeping and thereby brought near to God. The term ‘Jeshurun’, is found four times in the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 33:5 / Deuteronomy 32:15 / Deuteronomy 22:26 / Isaiah 44:2, and it means the ‘upright one.’ This may be something like a nickname for Israel since it is derived from the same Hebrew word that is translated ‘Israel’.
There is a comparison between the blessing of Moses here and that of Jacob in Genesis 49:1-27, which is significant. The comparisons show that while some tribes continued their spiritual weakness, others transformed into great tribes to the glory of God.
I’m sure you would have noticed that Simeon is missing from this list of tribes which Moses is about to bless. The reason for this is simply because Jacob had prophesied that Simeon would be scattered among the other tribes due to his part in avenging Dinah of the Shechemites, Genesis 49:5-7. All the tribes were blessed except Simeon who was eventually absorbed into the tribe of Judah, Numbers 1:22-23 / Numbers 26:12-14 / Joshua 19:2-9.
The pre-eminence among all the brothers belonged to Reuben, Deuteronomy 33:6, because he was the firstborn of Jacob, Genesis 49:3-4. However, he forfeited his firstborn rights with his sin when he slept with Rachel’s handmaid Bilhah, Jacob’s wife, Genesis 35:22, and in his rebellion with Korah, Numbers 16:1-3. Though he sinned, Moses continues the blessing of Jacob for this tribe and says they would grow into a great company of people, rather than seeing them blotted out in death, Deuteronomy 33:6.
Jacob had reserved the greatest blessing upon Judah in Genesis 49:8-12. Judah was to experience pre-eminence, great power, and authority among his brethren, Deuteronomy 33:7 / Genesis 49:9. Jacob states that the ‘sceptre’ of sovereignty and authority won’t depart from Judah ‘until Shiloh come’. The name Shiloh is the title of the Messiah, Genesis 49:10.
The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus came from the tribe of Judah, Hebrews 7:14. The genealogies of Matthew 1:1-17, illustrate the lineage of Christ through Judah, Matthew 1:2-3.
The importance of Jacob’s announcement was that he made a prophetic proclamation of who the promised Messiah would come. Since Judah would eventually comprise the southern kingdom of Israel, in the future they would be received back into the fold of the other tribes of Israel after the Babylonian captivity.
As keepers of the judgments of God, that is, the Thummim and Urim, Deuteronomy 33:8, Levi was scattered among the tribes, Genesis 49:5-7, for priestly functions and thus blessed in their work to keep the tribes close to God. During the events of the golden calf at Mount Sinai, Levi remained strong for God, Exodus 32:26-29. However, at Meribah they were tested, and failed in their tribal leadership, Deuteronomy 33:8 / Exodus 6:16 / Exodus 17:1-7.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘From the words of St. Paul, 1 Corinthians 10:8-12, it is evident that these words, at least in a secondary sense, belong to Christ. He is the Holy One who was tempted by them at Massah, who suffered their manners in the wilderness, who slew 23,000 of the most incorrigible transgressors, and who brought them into the promised land by his deputy, Joshua, whose name, and that of Jesus have the same signification.’
He said of his father and mother, I have no regard for them. He did not recognize his brothers or acknowledge his own children, but he watched over your word and guarded your covenant, Deuteronomy 33:9 / Matthew 10:37 / Luke 14:26.
The high calling of Levi was that they were to be teachers of the law of God, Deuteronomy 33:10 / Leviticus 10:11, and attend to the temple with its sacrifices, Deuteronomy 33:10. Moses calls upon God’s protection against Levi’s enemies that may rise up against him, Deuteronomy 33:11 / Numbers 16:1-50.
Levi would continue to exercise their duties of instructing Israel in the law and carrying out the sacrifices for Israel. Bless all his skills, LORD, and be pleased with the work of his hands. They will strike down those who rise against him, his foes till they rise no more, Deuteronomy 33:11.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The blessing of God to the tribe of Levi was peculiarly necessary because they had no inheritance among the children of Israel and lived more immediately than others upon the providence of GOD. Yet, as they lived by the offerings of the people and the tithes, the increase of their substance necessarily implied the increase of the people at large: the more fruitful the land was, the more abundant would the tithes of the Levites be and thus in the increased fertility of the land the substance of Levi would be blessed.’
The Urim and the Thummim were to be kept in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD, and so Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD, Exodus 28:30.
The breastplate was folded double to form a pocket Exodus 28:16 / Exodus 39:9. Inside the pocket, the Urim and Thummim were kept. Urim means ‘lights’ and Thummim means ‘perfections’. They were probably two jewels. When someone had to make an important decision, the request was made known to the high priest. He would stand before the lampstand, holding the Urim in one hand and the Thummim in the other.
As the light reflected from the Urim and the Thummim onto the stones of the breastplate, this flash of light provided up to twenty-four combinations, two by twelve. Since there are twenty-two letters in the Hebrew alphabet, the flashes of light could produce strings of letters.
As God breathed through the ark, the veil would move, permitting a breeze to flicker the flames in the Lampstand to momentarily alter the angle of direction of the light onto the Urim and Thummim, and thence to the Breastplate. Thus, God was able to communicate directly, but not audibly, to the high priest and answer the enquiry.
The Urim and Thummim were a means of revelation entrusted to the high priest. No description of them is given. This oracular apparently consisted of a material object or objects since it was physically stored in the breastpiece of the high priest, Exodus 28:30 / Leviticus 8:8.
Most people today think that the Urim and Thummim were a lottery oracle, but this is by no means certain. Besides being mentioned by their full name, Exodus 28:30, and Leviticus 8:8, and Ezra 2:63, and Nehemiah 7:65, in reverse order with possessives, Deuteronomy 33:8, the Urim and Thummim could also be referred to by Urim alone, Numbers 27:21, and 1 Samuel 28:6.
Sometimes the mention of the ephod, on which the breastpiece housing the Urim and Thummim were fastened, includes a reference to the Urim and Thummim, 1 Samuel 23:9-12, and 1 Samuel 30:7-8. Also, the verb ‘inquire of’ followed by ‘the Lord’ or ‘God’ when no means of revelation is specified refers to a usage of the Urim and Thummim.
The Urim and Thummim were used at critical moments in the history of God’s people when special divine guidance was needed. The civil leader was expected to make use of this means for all important matters for which he needed direction.
Although referred to in Ezra 2:63, and Nehemiah 7:65, there is no convincing evidence that the Urim and Thummim were used after the time of David. The reason for the demise of the Urim and Thummim is not explicitly given. Since the Urim and Thummim, in whatever way they functioned, were a physical means of revelation, it appears that God was taking his people away from the easy certainty inherent in a mechanical means of revelation to the more consistent use of prophecy and the Word alone.
This would require the more difficult application of the norms for true and false prophecy, Deuteronomy 13:1-4 and Deuteronomy 18:20-22 and thus necessitate a faithful teaching priesthood, Deuteronomy 33:10 / Malachi 2:7.
Although the lot theory has wide support today, there are significant difficulties with so identifying the Urim and Thummim. It is questionable whether the key evidence, the Greek text of 1 Samuel 14:41, is really to be preferred over the Hebrew text. Also, the vocabulary of lot casting is not used, and the answers contain more information than the casting of lots could yield, e.g. 1 Samuel 1:1, and 1 Samuel 5:23-24.
This last point suggests the involvement of prophecy and the divine inspiration of the high priest in giving revelation. It can also be noted that the use of the actual object(s) constituting the Urim and Thummim appears to have been self-authenticating.
Even in extremely difficult circumstances, the guidance of the Urim and Thummim is followed, Judges 20:18-28. It could be theorised that a perfect light that miraculously shone from the gem(s) constituting the Urim and Thummim, which belonged to God, Deuteronomy 33:8, gave the needed authentication to the actual answer spoken by the high priest under divine inspiration. In this way, the judgment of the Urim, the light, may have been given, Numbers 27:21. Such authentication would not have been out of place in Old Testament times when special signs were provided more often.
Newton, in his commentary, says the following.
‘They were something in Aaron’s breastplate, but what, critics and commentators are by no means agreed. It is most probable that they were only names given to signify the clearness and certainty of Divine answers which were obtained by the High Priest consulting God with his breastplate on, in contradistinction to the obscure, enigmatical, uncertain, and imperfect answers of the heathen oracles.’
Benjamin was the second son born to Jacob through his beloved wife Rachel, Genesis 35:24. The tribe of Benjamin was to inherit the small portion of land just northwest of the Dead Sea. The people of Benjamin were powerful and warlike and so, Benjamin is compared to a ravening wolf devouring the prey, Genesis 49:27.
As Benjamin occupied a special place in Jacob’s heart, even so, the Lord would show this love by protecting them against their enemies, Deuteronomy 33:12. God would dwell with this tribe because Benjamin would bear God upon his shoulders, Deuteronomy 33:12 / Deuteronomy 1:31. God would be the headship of this tribe throughout her history.
Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph, were the tribal extensions of the seed of Joseph, Genesis 48:20. Joseph was the favoured and well-beloved son of Jacob being the firstborn of his beloved Rachel, Genesis 48:9. By far the lands of Joseph, that is, Ephraim and Manasseh exceeded the other tribes in landmass, Deuteronomy 33:13.
Joseph’s land will be blessed with the precious dew from heaven above and with the deep waters that lie below, Deuteronomy 33:13. It will be blessed with the best the sun brings forth and the finest the moon can yield, Deuteronomy 33:14.
It will be blessed with the choicest gifts of the ancient mountains and the fruitfulness of the everlasting hills, Deuteronomy 33:15. It will be blessed with the best gifts of the earth and its fullness and the favour of him who dwelt in the burning bush, Deuteronomy 33:16. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers, Deuteronomy 33:17.
Jacob said that Joseph’s lands would be fruitful, but not without problems from enemies, Genesis 49:22-26. Although the enemy’s bow and arrow would annoy Joseph, he would still prevail against them. God’s blessings and help would be with Joseph and others would look to him as the rock of Israel for influence and strength, Deuteronomy 33:17.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘A bullock was the most excellent of animals among the Jews, not only because of its acceptableness in sacrifice to God, but because of its great usefulness in agriculture. There is something peculiarly noble and dignified in the appearance of the ox, and his greatest ornament are his fine horns, these the inspired penman has particularly in view, as the following clause proves and it is well known that in Scriptural language horns are the emblem of strength, glory, and sovereignty, Psalms 75:5 / Psalms 75:10 / Psalms 89:17 / Psalms 89:24 / Psalms 112:9 / Daniel 8:3 / Luke 1:69 / Revelation 17:3.’
These two tribes would grow into great military strength, Ephraim becoming the predominant tribe of Israel, Deuteronomy 33:17.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘That is, The horns signify the ten thousands of Ephraim, and the thousands of Manasseh. Jacob prophesied, Genesis 48:19, that the younger should be greater than the elder so here TENS of thousands are given to Ephraim, and only thousands to Manasseh. See the census, Numbers 1:33-35.’
Moses blesses Zebulun’s goings out, Deuteronomy 33:18. Jacob said Zebulun would live by the seashore, Genesis 49:13. Interestingly, this prophecy actually came to pass for Asher rather than Zebulun. Zebulun didn’t border the Mediterranean or the Sea of Galilee but was rather located between Asher and Naphtali, Joshua 13-21.
Moses blesses Issachar in their tent dwellings, Deuteronomy 33:18 / Genesis 49:14-15. Issachar’s inheritance in Canaan was small and located south of Zebulun. Issachar seemed only interested in gaining wages through agriculture rather than warring with the Canaanites and helping their brethren. They would use their religious cerebrations as opportunities for commercial negotiations, Deuteronomy 33:19 / Psalms 4:5 / Psalms 51:19.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following, concerning Zebulun and Issachar.
‘Both tribes distinguished themselves in the contest with Jabin, Judges 5:14-15 / Judges 5:18, and of Zebulun it is particularly noted that it produced the officers and tacticians who led and marshalled the host which vanquished Sisera, Judges 5:14 / 1 Chronicles 12:33.’
Gad are described as a lion, tearing at arm or head, Deuteronomy 33:20 / 1 Chronicles 12:8. Gad was blessed because he became a strong military force, Deuteronomy 33:20 / Genesis 49:19. This tribe chose the fruitful pasture lands east of the Jordan, Deuteronomy 33:21 / Numbers 32:1-5 / Numbers 32:17 / Numbers 32:21 / Numbers 32:32 / Joshua 1:14, despite being irritated by various attacks of troops, they still prevail, Judges 11:33 / 1 Chronicles 12:14.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The warlike character of this tribe is shown by their leading the van in the long campaigns of Joshua, Joshua 4:12-13 / Joshua 22:1-4.’
Jacob said that Dan would be like a snake which sits on the site of a path, Genesis 49:16-17, Moses, on the other hand, compares Dan to ‘a lion’s cub,’ Deuteronomy 33:22. Dan would bring trouble to his enemies like a young lion leaping out of the brush in ambush. They were known for sudden and devastating military attacks against the enemies of God, Joshua 19:47 / Judges 18:27.
Dan’s inheritance in Canaan would border the Mediterranean Sea to the south and west of Ephraim. The sad news
concerning Dan was that they were the tribe to introduce idolatry into Israel, Judges 18:30 / 1 Kings 12:26-30 / Amos 8:14.
Jacob compared Naphtali to a free moving gazelle saying, Genesis 49:21. The inheritance of Naphtali was a large plot of land primarily to the Northwest of the Sea of Galilee, Deuteronomy 33:23.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The light of the glorious Gospel of Christ shone brightly here, Matthew 4:13 / Matthew 4:15-16. Christ’s chief residence was at Capernaum in this tribe, Matthew 9:1 / Mark 2:1, and this city, through Christ’s constant residence, and the mighty miracles he wrought in it, is represented as being exalted unto heaven, Matthew 11:23.’
Asher was blessed with great prosperity, Genesis 49:20. Asher would grow into a populous tribe and enjoy great popularity, Deuteronomy 33:24. The inheritance of Asher would lie due west of Naphtali and bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Although the tribe settled in the north-western part of the land, they would be a strong tribe to buffer Israel from any invasion from the north, Deuteronomy 33:25 / Isaiah 26:4 / Revelation 1:15.
There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides across the heavens to help Israel and on the clouds in His majesty, Deuteronomy 33:26.
The term ‘Jeshurun’ is found four times in the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 22:26 / Deuteronomy 33:5 / Deuteronomy 32:15 / Isaiah 44:2, and it means the ‘upright one.’ This may be something like a nickname for Israel since it is derived from the same Hebrew word that is translated ‘Israel’.
The eternal God is Israel’s refuge, Deuteronomy 33:27 / Psalms 90:1 / Psalms 91:9 / Romans 3:2. Moses declares that God will help, provide a dwelling place, and exercise everlasting love for His people, there is no one else like Him, Deuteronomy 33:27. God offers land that has had His people’s enemies thrust out and blessed with grain and new wine, Deuteronomy 33:27-28 / Psalms 68:26 / Isaiah 48:1.
God is pictured as the help of Israel who comes to her rescue in times of trial, Romans 8:31. Israel was the dwelling place of God on earth because the prosperity and religious nature of the people demonstrated His presence.
The protecting arms of God are always around Israel, even while they digress into sin, Deuteronomy 33:29. Although the enemies of Israel would seek to destroy them, through the help of God, Israel would occupy their high places, Deuteronomy 33:29.