The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Bless” it comes from the Hebrew Word “barak” which means “to bless.”
Before he dies, Moses speaks one final blessing over each tribe of Israel. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is Deuteronomy 33.
Moses, “the man of God,” blesses the children of Israel before his death, opening with a majestic description of the Lord coming from Sinai, shining forth with ten thousands of saints, a fiery law given to His people, becoming king in Jeshurun, a poetic name for Israel. He blesses each tribe individually, beginning with Reuben, that he might live and not die, and continuing through Judah, asking that the Lord bring him to his people and be a help against his enemies.
Moses blesses Levi specifically for their faithfulness, even in the difficult moment following the golden calf when they stood firmly with God rather than compromising, declaring they shall teach Israel God’s judgments and law and offer incense before Him. He blesses Benjamin as “the beloved of the LORD,” dwelling safely, and blesses Joseph richly with the precious things of heaven, the deep, the sun, and the everlasting hills, describing him as separated from his brothers with abundant blessing resting on his head.
Moses continues blessing Zebulun, Issachar, Gad, Dan, Naphtali, Asher, and the others, each receiving specific, personal words fitting their particular character and future. He closes with a sweeping declaration over the whole nation together. “There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help… The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” He describes Israel as blessed above all peoples, “a people saved by the LORD,” their enemies submitting before them, and the land itself yielding abundant blessing for them.
Even facing his own imminent death, Moses spent his final recorded words pouring out specific, personal blessing over every single tribe of Israel, not generic wishes, but words shaped to each tribe’s particular character and calling. His last act as leader was pure, generous blessing rather than any lingering concern for his own unfulfilled hope of entering the land.
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