Read Deuteronomy
33-34 & Luke
1:24-56
To discover:
As you read note what Israel
learn about her future.
To ponder:
Between the instruction and then activity of Moses climbing Mount
Nebo, we have his blessings (32v48-52,
34v1-8). Once more with poetry we’re reminded of God coming with his angels and
in love to Israel.
They are pictured as humbly receiving God’s law with Moses acting like a king. This
is the ideal for God’s people.
Reuben is blessed with life and
multiplication, and Judah
with help against foes. But the focus is on Levi. Although not recorded, it is
implied that the tribe didn’t share in the grumbling at Massah and Meribah. And
they proved their qualification to watch over God’s word and guard his covenant
when they put him first by executing his judgement even on their relatives (Exodus 17). It seems this is why the
decision-making of the Thummim and Urim are entrusted to them. Their other
tasks are to teach the law, and co-ordinate Israel’s
worship. And Moses prays for them to be blessed and protected in this. Within
the church too, it is those who have proved themselves who are to be given the
greater responsibility (1 Tim 3:2-4,
10).
Benjamin is
blessed with security stemming from God’s love, and Joseph (comprising the two
half-tribes) with the best of the land as “prince among his brothers.” This
reflects the prominence of Ephraim in particular within the future northern kingdom
of Israel. Indeed, reflecting
Joseph’s blessing, Moses blesses Ephraim with more descendents than Manasseh.
Zebulun and Issachar are blessed with prosperity from sea and sand, that leads
to offering sacrifices, probably of thanksgiving. Gad is blessed with the good
land he chose east of the Jordan,
which is his because of his willingness to carry out God’s will by going ahead
of Israel in
taking the land. The future strength of a lion is promised Dan, and God’s
favour and blessing are granted Naphtali. Finally Asher is promised special
favour, living amongst olive trees (the oil) and in great strength and
security.
These blessings
are those we’ve come to expect: increase, strength, security, abundance,
wealth, and favour. And there is no doubt where they come from. They are Israel’s
because there is “no-one” like her God, whose power and readiness to bless is
seen in him being a king, riding on the clouds of the heavens “to help.” He is
her “shield and helper” and her “glorious sword.” We can apply this wonderful language
to ourselves as God’s people now. He effectively “rode” to help us in Christ,
who will return on a horse named “faithful and true,” to defeat all God’s
enemies (Rev 19v11). God’s love makes him swift to act for us.
The book
ends with Moses climbing Mount Nebo.
In granting him a view of the land, God is portrayed as acting kindly so Moses
would see what he had worked so hard to achieve. But, it is also stressed that
his death is not due to ill health (34v7). It was the penalty for his lack of
faith in Numbers 20v6-12, which kept God’s holiness from being honoured for his
gift of water (32v51).
Moses’ role
has however passed to Joshua, marked by his being “filled” with the “spirit of
wisdom” through the laying on of hands. This provides some background to the
practice of laying on hands for the giving of the Spirit in the NT. The writer
is however clear that despite Joshua’s leadership, since then the promised “prophet
like Moses” (Deut 18v15) has not yet come. The book therefore ends looking later
generations to a prophet and King (33v5) like Moses, who will speak God’s word
and administer his will. Whoever else would rise to lead the nation, it is this
man she really needs. And now he has come!
Praying it home:
Thank God for the coming so readily to our help in Christ. Reflect
on the key lessons you’ve learnt from Deuteronomy and pray them home.
Thinking further:
Congratulations. We have now completed the Pentateuch, ie.
the first five books of the Bible. This is sometimes known by the Jews as the “Torah,”
which means “instruction;” although this term can also refer to wider Jewish
teaching too. You may have noticed that these books are foundational to all
else. They reveal God’s uniqueness, power and nature. They set out the redemptive
framework for his wider interaction with human beings. And in what follows, the
history books essentially recount the working out of his covenant blessing and
curses on Israel, whilst much of the prophetic books are a record of their
sermons in which the covenant and its terms were preached and applied to the
situations in their day.
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