YOUTH STS LESSON 149 THE BLESSINGS OF THE TRIBES AND DEATH OF MOSES

TEXT: Deuteronomy 33:1-29; 34:1-12.    

MEMORY VERSE: “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15).

Anything God begins must surely come to a successful end. The prophecy and promise which God gave to the children of Israel was now fulfilled. To accomplish this, He raised and used Moses His servant to bring His people out of Egypt and they were now very close to the Promised Land. In our study today, God commanded him to go up to mount Nebo, see the land and he was to die there. This he did without hesitation. What a challenge to Christian youths! Moses was a great prophet appointed by God. His life and ministry distinguished him from other prophets. The Scripture says: “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face” (Deuteronomy 34:10). He had a challenging beginning, but a remarkable life and ministry. He was a preacher, prophet, teacher, intercessor and a selfless leader. He had a Christ-like love for the children of Israel as he pleaded with God to destroy him for their sins.

Above all, as part of the exhortation to Israel, he blessed them before his final departure from the earth. As described by an author, “The life of Moses presents a series of striking contrast. He was a child of a slave and the son of a queen. He was born in a hut, and lived in a palace. He inherited poverty, and enjoyed unlimited wealth. He was keeper of flocks, and leader of armies. He was the mightiest of warriors, and the meekest of men. He was educated in the Court, and dwelt in the desert. He had the wisdom of Egypt, and the faith of Abraham’s seed. He was brought up in the city, and he wandered in the wilderness. He was raised in luxury and comfort, but endured hardship willingly. He was backward in speech, yet talked with God. He had the rod of a shepherd, but the power of the Infinite. He was a fugitive from Pharaoh, yet an ambassador from heaven. He was the giver of the Law, but the forerunner of grace. He died alone on Mount Moab and appeared with Christ on another mount in Judea. No man assisted at his funeral, yet God buried him”. What can you do for God and His people in this generation?

PROCLAMATION OF THE GLORIOUS MAJESTY OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL (Deuteronomy 33:1-25; Exodus 19:16-20; 34:5-8; Hebrews 12:18-23; Genesis 49:1-28; 27:1-7; 28:1-4; Luke 24:50; Mark 7:10; Ephesians 6:1-3; Proverbs 10:1)

“And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them” (Deuteronomy 33:2). Moses pronounced divine blessings on Israel by proclaiming the glorious majesty of the God of Israel first. He refreshed their memory of the experiences they had with God in Mount Sinai. This was to make them avoid ascribing him the honour of God in thinking that the blessing comes from him. He wanted them also to look always to God for divine blessings and obey His commands. This majestic revelation was a proof to Israel of God’s power and authority above the gods they had known. It is also to reveal Him as a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). His aim was to instill in them His fear. Moses, seeing their future from the past, wanted them to exhibit a change from hardness and rebellion to obedience. From this proclamation, we can see that God desired their transformation through His laws.

This reveals the potency of God’s word to transform an individual who truly yields. God used Moses as an instrument to give His commandments to the children of Israel. God was their King in Jeshurun. Moses’ humility is a model of God’s expectation from His people. Moses did not engage in self projection or exaltation till the time of his death; he sought only the glory of God. His concern was only to build up a people prepared to inherit the Promised Land. Christian youths should not share God’s glory but should always point people to God no matter their talents and achievements in life.

Question 1: What were Moses’ pronouncements on Israel?

Moses perceived that the best way to part from his people is leaving them with blessings from God. These are the blessings Moses pronounced on Israel. Reuben, he said, “Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few” (Deuteronomy 33:6). It is focused on their growth. It was necessary because Jacob had earlier cursed Reuben for his sin (Genesis 49:4). History revealed that Reuben did not excel. There came not a Judge, Prophet, and a King from the tribe of Reuben. Judah was blessed thus, “Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou a help to him from his enemies” (Deuteronomy 33:7). The name of Judah means praise. He prayed that God will hear the voice of praise. He prayed also for their blessings and sustenance until the fulfilment of his prophetic destiny of bringing the Messiah (Genesis 49:10). Levi received for his obedience and separation from the nation’s sins divine blessing of substance, victory over their enemies, and the ministry of teaching Israel the law of God (Deuteronomy 8-11; Exodus 32:26). “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” (Deuteronomy 33:12).

Benjamin had special place of love and blessings (Deuteronomy 33:14-16). Moses portrayed Joseph’s glory to be “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” (Deuteronomy 33:17). Indeed Ephraim and Manasseh, the descendants of Joseph were far more numerous than other tribes of Israel. This fulfilled Jacob’s prophecy (Genesis 49:22). Zebulun and Issachar were jointly blessed. Zebulun was to rejoice in her going out, and Issachar was to rejoice in her tent. Both tribes were geographically situated near the sea of Galilee and they took advantage of the sea. Gad – “he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head” (Deuteronomy 33:20). This was accomplished as the tribe of Gad furnished many fine troop for David (1 Chronicles 12:14). This also fulfilled Jacob’s words that, “he shall overcome at the last” (Genesis 49:19). Of Dan, he said, “Dan is a lion’s whelp: he shall leap from Bashan” (Deuteronomy 33:22). They were to be courageous, generous, strong and successful against their enemies. Naphtali, he said, “O Naphtali, satisfied with favor, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south” (Deuteronomy 33:23).

Naphtali’s land was situated in a key portion near the sea of Galilee where Christ did most of His teachings and ministry. This fulfilled the prophecy of Moses that Naphtali was satisfied with favour. Jacob also predicted that Naphtali gave goodly words. Lastly, he said of Asher, “Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil. Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:24,25). He was the most blessed of the sons. He was to be favoured by his brothers, prospered in all things and his shoes are to be iron and brass. This is a mark of victory and sufficiency. As his days are so shall his strength be. Christian youths should learn to live their lives, to impress their parents in order to attract blessings from them at old age. A life of disobedience will always attract a curse upon rebellious Children.

PERCEPTION OF THE GRACIOUS EXCELLENCY OF ISRAEL (Deuteronomy 33:26-29; 8:12-17; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11, 12)

“There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky” (Deuteronomy 33:26). Moses concluded his blessings by revealing the gracious excellency Israel enjoyed from the almighty God. The unconquerable God manifests His greatness and glory for the help of His people. He stated that God is the refuge of Israel and underneath was the everlasting hand of God guarding them from falling preys to their enemies. God adopted the needed strategy to make Israel victorious over their enemies. Moses assured Israel of future victory in the Promised Land as they obey God’s commands. “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” (Deuteronomy 33:27). He assured them of their safety in the Promised Land and divine blessings (Deuteronomy 33:28). “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). The high position they had was only by virtue of God’s grace and faithfulness. Christian youths should be determined to live in total obedience to God because His blessings are conditional.

Question 2: Can Christian youths also experience God’s glory today?

This is possible and can be experienced by Christian youths through fervent prayer and faith in God. “And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering” (Luke 9:28,29).

THE PERSONALITY AND THE GLORIOUS EXIT OF ISRAEL’S LEADER (Deuteronomy 34:1-12; 32:48-52; Numbers 27:12-14; Psalm 90:10,12; Ecclesiastes 3:1,2)

Before this time, God commanded Moses to go up to Mount Nebo and see the land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 32:48-50). He was shown all the geographical areas of the land from Gilead to Dan, Naphtali, Ephraim and others.

Question 3: How would you assess the obedience of Moses to this command?

“Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he” (Exodus 40:16). Moses had a habit of obeying the Lord. As Christian youths, we should know that obedience is the hallmark of a Christian life. Apart from Moses, Jesus Christ shows us a perfect example of how to obey God. He said: “I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29). The Lord is asking us this question: “why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). What is your response? Stop and meditate. “And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither” (verse 4). Moses was instructed to see the Promised Land. This was a fulfilment of the promise and prophecy of God to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God can fulfil all the promises He made in His Word. There is no area of our lives that is not covered by His promises. We should search and seek diligently for these promises and believe God for their fulfilment. Also, we should pray and patiently wait for God to accomplish His word in our lives. Remember, it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we should rely on His promises. “So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD” (verse 5). Death is certain! Both sinners and saints die. We do not know when it will come. Wisdom demands we prepare for it.

Question 4: What are the differences between the death of the righteous and that of the wicked?

“Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!” (Numbers 23:10). There are great differences between the death of the righteous and the wicked.

One, when the righteous dies, his soul goes to heaven while that of the wicked goes to hell (Acts 7:55, 56, 59, 60; Luke 16:22-24).

Two, the death of the saint is precious in the sight of the Lord while that of the wicked causes pain (Psalm 116:15; 7:11).

Three, the death of the righteous causes joy in heaven while that of the wicked leads to judgment (Psalm 9:17).

Four, the righteous gets into rejoicing after death while the wicked gets into regret.

Five, the righteous will receive eternal rewards after death while the wicked receives retribution for his evil deeds.

Six, the Lord prepares mansions for the righteous after death while the wicked will live in misery for eternity.

Seven, the soul of the righteous will live with God forever while the soul of the wicked will be with the Devil forever. What kind of death are you expecting? “And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day” (Deuteronomy 34:6). Moses died at the age of one hundred and twenty years; yet, “his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated” (verse 7). His ministry was approved by God and appreciated by men. Israel expressed their appreciation by weeping and mourning for thirty days. He was one of the greatest men who ever lived. He was a great instrument in the hand of God to bring deliverance to oppressed people. “And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses” (Deuteronomy 34:9). Joshua, who was to succeed him as a leader by divine appointment, had received trainings and instructions from Moses before now (Numbers 27:18-23). However, he must wait for the call and commission from the Lord before he stepped into the leadership. Also, he had been Moses’ minister for a long time. He had followed Moses in the way of service (Exodus 32:17; 17:8-14).

This tells us to always seek to hear from God especially when human leaders are not around. When we look up to God, He will surely speak and lead us aright. “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,” (Deuteronomy 34:10). Moses had the privilege of talking with God face to face. These confirmed his call and commission from the Lord. As soul- winners, we should be faithful in preaching the transforming gospel with the power of God and He will confirm His word with signs and wonders. This was what God did for those before us (Hebrews 2:4). “And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel” (Deuteronomy 34:12). Moses was great in the sight of Israel. It is remarkable to note that Moses’ greatness and acceptability was not without sacrifice. It was hard earned through diligence and determination to please God.

Moses’ greatness could be attributed to his peculiar intimacy or fellowship with God.

Second, the love he had for God and Israel.

Third, his commitment to service.

Fourth, his confidence and trust in God.

Fifth, the reality of the power of God upon him. These are the sources of true greatness.

Question 5: What can a Christian youth learn from the life of Moses?

Christian youths should learn from the life of Moses to be:

(1) Intimate with God in fellowship;

(2) Love God above all;

(3) Trust and fear God always;

(4) committed to His service without excuse or complaint;

(5) obey God promptly and always;

(6) humble;

(7) always accept correction.

By so doing, the testimony of Moses will be fulfilled upon you. At the same time, Christians should watch against the pitfall of Moses; guide against anger and bitterness.