LESSON 45 THE BLESSING OF THE TRIBES AND DEATH OF MOSES
Deuteronomy 33:1-29; 34:1-12
Moses was the great leader God used to bring the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. He was a faithful prophet, leader and father to the twelve tribes of Israel. He loved the people, taught them the laws of God, rebuked and corrected them. He was a committed and faithful servant of God. When the time of his death was approaching, God asked Moses to bless each of the tribes of Israel. He gathered them together and pronounced blessings on them according to God’s instruction.
After this, he climbed up mount Nebo to the top of Pisgah, “...And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan, And all Naphtali, and all the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea.” (Deuteronomy 34:1, 2) So Moses, a faithful servant of the Lord, died in the land of Moab according to the word of the Lord. Death is not the end of life. After death, there is heaven for all true believers. On the other hand, sinners who die in their sinful ways will go to hell-fire. The choice of where to spend eternity after death is in the hands of the individual to decide.
- MOSES BLESSED THE PEOPLE OF GOD: Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Genesis 49:1-28
The tribes we are considering in this study are the descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob called Israel. Their names are: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph and Benjamin. They are the people commonly referred to in the Bible as the children of Israel or the Israelites. They were chosen people of God whom Moses led out of slavery in Egypt. Their fore-father Jacob who later became Israel, had pronounced blessings on them before his death. He also told them their seed would be slaves in a strange land but they would be delivered by God at His own appointed time. When the time came, God raised Moses to lead them out of their captivity in Egypt. Moses himself, having led the children of Israel out of Egypt, was getting to the end of his life. God therefore instructed him to address the Israelites, to remind them of God’s laws and the importance of obedience to them. He again pronounced God’s blessings on them. There are records of people who blessed others in the Scriptures:
(a) Melchizedek, king of Salem blessed Abraham (Genesis 14:18, 19).
(b) Isaac blessed his son, Jacob (Genesis 27:25-29).
(c) Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph’s sons (Genesis 48:8-20).
(d) Jesus 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).
(e) Jesus also blessed the little children that were brought to Him (Mark 10:16). When you come to Jesus in faith, He will take you up in His hands and bless you.
It is important to know that God’s blessings are conditional. How can a sinner receive God’s blessings? Three things are required:
(i) be born again
(ii) be obedient to God’s word and have faith in Him
(iii) abstain from all evils.
- MOSES VIEWED THE PROMISED LAND: Deuteronomy 34:1-4; 32:48-52; Numbers 20:8-12
God allowed Moses to view (see) the promised land of Canaan, but he was disallowed from entering because of disobedience to God’s instruction. Just as obedience brings blessings and favour of God, disobedience brings displeasure and punishment from God. God wants complete obedience to His instruction. A time came in the wilderness when the children of Israel needed water to drink and God wanted to perform a miracle. He instructed Moses to assemble the people before a rock and declared to Moses “... speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink” (Numbers 20:8). Instead of speaking to the rock, he smote it with his rod. Though water still came out of the rock for the people to drink, God was not happy with Moses. He disallowed him entry into the promised land (Canaan) but only showed him the place from the top of mount Nebo. God punishes disobedience in any of His children as He is not a Respecter of persons. As friends of Jesus, heaven is our promised land, where He has gone to prepare beautiful mansions for us. A sinful, disobedient child should do the following in order to be qualified for heaven:
(a) know that you are a sinner
(b) confess your sins to God and ask Him for forgiveness and cleansing through Jesus Christ’s blood. (c) Invite Jesus into your heart and life as Saviour and Lord.
(d) Believe by faith that you are saved.
(e) Continue to follow Jesus by reading His word and praying every day.
Jesus says “… verily verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
- MOSES’ DEATH AND BURIAL: Deuteronomy 34:5-12; Joshua 1:1,2
Moses, the great servant of God, eventually died in the land of Moab, “. according to the word of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 34:5), and God buried him in a valley. But no one knows his grave or sepulchre. Moses lived a life that gave glory to God and he was honoured and buried by God Himself. He was one hundred and twenty (120) years old when he died having led the children of Israel in the wilderness for forty years.
Moses started his walk (ministry) ( with God at the burning bush at Horeb (Exodus 3:4). He walked with God faithfully till the end of his life. We learn the following lessons from the life of Moses:
(a) Meekness/lowliness of heart
(b) Obedience, courage and faith in God
(c) Supplication, prayer and intercession for the people of God.
(d) Enduring walk and close fellowship with God
(e) Saintliness, hatred for sin and faithful service to God.
Death is a gateway to either heaven or hell. Friends of Jesus should not fear death because it is the gateway to eternal bliss in heaven with Jesus. Repent of your sins now and avoid hell if you are a sinner.
QUESTIONS:
- How many tribes of Israel did Moses bless?
- Mention four people who pronounced blessings on others in the Bible.
- What should a sinner do in order to receive God’s blessings?
- Why did God disallow Moses from entering the promised land?
- State five qualities worthy of emulation in the life of Moses.
- Death is a gateway to _____________or______________
MEMORY VERSE: “Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, Oh people saved by the LORD, the shield of thyhelp, 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).
LESSON: Obedience to the commandments of God attracts His blessings.
THOUGHT: I will live a holy life and obey God to enjoy His blessings.
ACTIVITY: Search the Scriptures and write out five passages about God’s promises to bless those who serve or obey Him.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 151 – THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING
CHORUSES: (1) Abraham’s blessings are mine (2) Running over … (3) Heaven is full of joy.
HOMEWORK: Write down in your homework book three blessings you will receive as obedient child of God.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meanings of these words.
You can use your dictionary.
- Command 2. Excellency 3. Sepulchre 4. Sufficient 5. Descendant.
