Deuteronomy 33

Joshua was an Ephraimite; it is thought that when Moses said, “Joseph will gore the nations” (verse 17), he was referring to Joshua. But later too, the Ephraimites with their ten thousands were very powerful in battle.

18–19 Zebulun and Issachar shared a blessing. The word mountain in Hebrew poetry⁹³ often referred to a place of worship rather than to a specific peak; there the two tribes would offer sacrifices of righteousness—that is, sacrifices acceptable to God. They would also benefit from the produce of the seas (see Genesis 49:13); though initially their land did not border on the sea, it’s possible that later on it did as the result of changes in tribal boundaries.

20–21 God enlarged Gad’s domain by giving that tribe land to the east of Canaan (Numbers 32:31–33). The tribe of Gad had chosen that land, but they had also agreed to carry out the LORD’S righteous will (verse 21)—namely, that before settling in their land they fight alongside the other tribes in the conquest of Canaan (see Numbers 32:20–22,25–27). Both Jacob and Moses predicted that Gad would be an aggressive fighter (Genesis 49:19).

22 The lions of Bashan were well known. Dan would be like a lion’s cub.

23 The tribe of Naphtali would be abundantly blessed, and their land would extend southward to the lake, that is, to the Sea of Galilee.

24–25 Asher also received a great blessing from Moses. Asher’s people would be defended by strong gates, and they would produce so much olive oil they’d be able to bathe their feet in it!

26–29 In these final verses, Moses again praises God. These blessing were given as an encouragement to the Israelites as they entered Canaan. They needed to remember that the God who rides on the heavens would also extend His everlasting arms down to earth to lift up and carry His people and fight for them (verses 26–27). Jacob’s spring, that is, the descendants who “flowed” from Jacob, would be secure and prosperous in their new land. Blessed are you, O Israel (verse 29).

But while the Lord would fight for them and prosper them, the Israelites also had to do their part: to obey the Lord’s commands (see Exodus 17:10–13 and comment). All blessings come from God; we humans cannot bring about the victory, the prosperity, by ourselves. But we can forfeit those blessings by failing to cooperate with God, by failing to obey Him. If we will but work together with God, the final outcome will be assured (see Philippians 2:12–13).

Let us remember too that all the blessings described in this chapter are marvelous gifts of God; God desires to give His children the best possible gifts (Matthew 7:9–11; Luke 11:11–13). But the greatest gift of God by far is the gift of Himself—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If He is with us, our future is indeed secure.

Who is like you,a people saved by the LORD? (verse 29). What a privilege it is to be saved by the Lord, to be a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ!