Deuteronomy 33 - Moses' Final Blessing on Israel | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Deuteronomy 33 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.

In Deuteronomy 33 contains the benediction of Moses. It is the last words of a very great man. In the ancient near east it was customary on a death bed for patriarchs to say important things, just as we saw with Jacob in Genesis 49. This death bed blessing however doesn’t have some of the obvious nasty “blessings” that Jacob spoke and is much more positive.

I call this a true blessing, because it is a passage of grace, with redemption being extended by God to every tribe, regardless of their past, or what God knows their future will be. For example in verse 6 Moses says of Reuben. “Let Reuben live, and not die;” This is a great example of the redemptive blessing given here by Moses. While the blessing of Jacob was true, here God’s mercy is extended despite the failure of Reuben.

This is the way of grace, and the message of the gospel for those who accept it. All of the tribes are treated like this. Another great example is to compare and contrast Jacob’s words over Levi in Genesis 49and Moses’ words over Levi. Another example is Dan. In Jacob’s blessing Dan was a snake that bit the rider. While in overall history Dan was such a thing, being the location of one of the two golden calves that helped bring down Israel, here Moses redeems Dan.

Dan is no longer a snake, but a lion. In verse 26 it says “There is no one like God... who rides on the heavens for your help.” The meaning of these blessings is clear. No matter who you are, or what you have done, or what has been spoken about you in the past, it does not define your future. The Lord himself speaks life and blessing over you, knowing both your past and future, and he holds out life. All that remains is for you to respond.