ADULT STS LESSON 149 THE BLESSING OF THE TRIBES AND DEATH OF MOSES
MEMORY VERSE: “Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! And thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places” (Deuteronomy 33:29).
TEXT: Deuteronomy 33:1-29; 34:1-12
The parting words of true servants of God are very significant as revealed in the Scripture. It was a common practice for aged fathers to bless their children especially when they perceive their imminent departure from the earth. Moses, the lawgiver and prophet of Israel also demonstrated his love, care and concern for the Israelites by his last words to them before his demise. Our Lord Jesus Christ, before He left this world, also blessed His disciples. “And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them” (Luke 24:50). Before pronouncing blessings on Israel, Moses reminded them of God’s purpose of giving them the law and its significance (Deuteronomy 33:3). The purpose is to prove His love for us and show us that our relationship with Him is hinged on our receiving and obeying His word (John 14:23). We cannot expect God to bless us if we do not pay attention to His word. Unfortunately, many so-called believers are selective when it comes to obeying God’s word. While they accept the parts of the Scriptures that make them feel comfortable and secure, they jettison any part that is against their stubborn will. This explains why the blessing of God has remained elusive to many believers and families. When we hear God’s word, absolute obedience is what He demands from us.
DECLARATION OF PROPHETIC BLESSINGS ON EACH TRIBE (Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Numbers 6:22- 27; Ephesians 4:29; James 3:8-10)
A Bible scholar commented on the differences in the blessings that God gave to each tribe of Israel. To one, He gave the best land; to another, strength; and to another, safety. Too often, we see someone with particular blessings and think that God loves that person more than others. Think rather that God draws out in all people their unique talents. All these gifts are needed to complete God’s plan. There is no need to be envious of the gifts of others, instead, look for the gifts God has given you and resolve to do the tasks He has uniquely qualified you to do. Though Reuben had lost the honour of his birthright as the first son of Jacob, yet Moses began with him. He pronounced blessings of preservation upon this tribe. “Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few” (Deuteronomy 33:6). The appropriateness of his blessings would be appreciated when one considers the fact that the tribe of Reuben was one of the frontier tribes that had already got their inheritance on the other side of Jordan. The prayer was therefore, to prevent the ruin of Reuben by his neighbours and to enable them preserve their peculiar identity of holiness. This is similar to the priesthood prayer of Jesus for all His followers that God should keep them from the pollution of the world. “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:15,16). Moses blessed Judah without any mention of Simeon before passing on to the next tribe. The Scripture clearly declares: “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). Thus, we understand that the mention of Judah in effect, includes Simeon. Moses prayed that the enemy would never prevail against them. Besides, in his usual selfless and compassionate manner, Moses could not have omitted Simeon when he prayed for the survival and multiplication of Reuben who forfeited his birthright as a consequence of his sin of immorality. Again, Moses recalls the selfless and prompt response of Levi to God’s commandments: “…neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant” (Deuteronomy 33:9). The same passage alludes to the selfless action of the Levites who obeyed the commandment of God to “…slay every man his brother” (Exodus 32:25-28). Their prompt obedience to this command attracted God’s favour and halted the consequences of Israel’s sin. Phinehas, a Levite, manifested similar zeal against unrighteousness in the camp of Israel and received a covenant of everlasting priesthood (Numbers 25:5-13). As believers, we must be bold in rebuking sin in the light of God’s word. Our familiarity with sinners and backsliders should not deprive us of our responsibility of presenting the gospel to them. We must not compromise our faith by partaking in their sin. Rather, the Lord expects us to expose them so that His presence will continuously be felt among His people. This is the only way we can prove our love and zeal for the Lord and receive His blessing in return.
The blessings pronounced on Joseph were more abundant than that of the other tribes. While some tribes received few blessings, Joseph was lavishly bequeathed with numerous blessings, having received a double portion in Ephraim and Manasseh, who were adopted by Jacob as his direct sons. Zebulun and Issachar were to rejoice; Gad was to have victory over their enemies. Moses referred to Benjamin as a place where the beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety, referring to Mount Moriah, where the temple was situated, which also belongs to the tribe of Benjamin. The pronouncement on Dan was very brief and the prophecy that Dan shall leap from Bashan probably referred to the eventual relocation from Bashan to the north to enlarge their portion which was too small for them (Joshua 19:47).
Naphtali was to be satisfied with favour and filled with the blessings of the Lord while Asher would be blessed with children. After blessing Israel, tribe by tribe, Moses blessed them generally. “There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew. Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! And thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places” (Deuteronomy 33:26-29).
In the same manner, there are general blessings for God’s people and there are specific blessings for every child of God. The lesson for us here is that though heaven is the general reward awaiting every faithful believer, still the Scripture reveals that, “…every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour” (1 Corinthians 3:8). Hence, we should strive to go the extra mile in our service for the Master. Moses’ blessings on Israel include strength all the days of their lives; help from trouble and protection from their enemies; joy and happiness as a nation and unlimited prosperity. These blessings are still applicable to present-day believers provided we remain steadfast with God. Divine blessings are only accessible by true children of God who are in current relationship with Him. Also worthy of note is Moses’ ascription to God as our Refuge, our only true Security. At a time like this, when money, career, lifelong dream, etc., cannot guarantee our safety, we need to acknowledge the fact that our true refuge is the eternal God. He always holds out His arms to support us.
DEATH OF MOSES AFTER SIGHTING THE PROMISED LAND (Deuteronomy 34:1-8; 32:48-52; Numbers 27:12-14; Deuteronomy 1:37; 3:26-28; Psalm 116:15; Revelation 14:13)
The last chapter of the book of Deuteronomy records the death of Israel’s greatest and most respected prophet and leader, Moses. It also records his burial, as well as Israel’s mourning for him. God gave to Moses the great privilege to view Canaan before his death. In obedience to God’s earlier command, “Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan” (Deuteronomy 34:1). From the mountain, the Lord Himself showed Moses the Promised Land from north to south, east to west as well as the district on east of Jordan. For contemporary believers, climbing the peak of Pisgah may be likened to growing and attaining greater spiritual heights for better insight and clearer view of our eternal home. Our vision of eternity should get clearer as we get closer to the Lord’s coming. It should be noted that Moses’ inability to enter the Promised Land was not a sign of his rejection by God, but was a disciplinary action for his failure to sanctify the Lord in the sight of the children of Israel at Meribah (Numbers 20:12). God is no respect of persons and would punish anyone for disobedience and transgression. Personal greatness does not prevent one from being disciplined by the Lord when the need arises.
Church leaders, therefore, should be able to discipline erring subordinates to maintain the standard and deter others from going into sin. This must be done regardless of the abilities and potentials of such erring believers. Moreover, whenever believers are disciplined, they should not respond in anger or resentment. Like Moses, they should accept it graciously in response towards a loving Father whose desire is to make His children better spiritually. “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11).
Moses’ fate concerning Canaan is a lesson in watchfulness, carefulness and attention to details. Christians, church leaders and ministers should not be overwhelmed with the work to the detriment of their souls. Moses walked with God as a faithful and worthy servant, hence God’s delight in his death (Psalm 116:15). Moses faced death with courage because of his absolute trust in God. This is a common characteristic of those who have lived their lives in fellowship with God. God’s approval of Moses’ ministry and his departure to be with Him is clearly demonstrated when he appeared on the mount of transfiguration along with Elijah and spoke with Jesus (Matthew 17:3; Mark 9:4). Getting to heaven must be the priority and the goal of every believer irrespective of our lack, loss or achievement in the world.
DIVINE TESTIMONY OF MOSES’ UNCOMMON CREDENTIALS (Deuteronomy 34:9-12; Numbers 27:15-17; 12:3,7,8; Exodus 33:11; Acts 6:3)
“And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel” (Deuteronomy 34:10-12). The divine testimony concerning Moses is not due to his natural endowment but because of his implicit obedience and loyalty to God. He followed God with unparalleled humility and faithfulness (Numbers 12:3; Hebrews 3:5). Judging by the greatness, incomparable personality and ministry of Moses, one would easily conclude that he was irreplaceable and therefore, the nation would not move on without him. But Israel’s progress through the leadership of Joshua dismissed this supposition. Joshua’s attitude in waiting patiently for the divinely appointed time even though he had been selected and anointed to take over from Moses is quite instructive. One quality of a godly leader is his willingness and ability to prepare a replacement for himself (2 Timothy 2:2). Moses carefully followed the will of God and commissioned Joshua to take over the leadership of Israel. His name is still being remembered in the New Testament. We shall bid this world farewell one day; what would you be remembered for?
Questions for review:
- Explain the primary condition for receiving God’s blessings.
- What significant lessons can believers draw from the diverse blessings pronounced on each tribe? 3. What can we learn from the blessing of Reuben?
- What lesson can believers draw from the blessing of the tribe of Levi?
- Mention some blessings Moses pronounced on Israel which are applicable to present-day believers. 6. How can church leaders and ministers avoid the mistake of Moses?
- What challenge do we receive from the divine testimony concerning the character of Moses?
