God’s Word Renewing Word of Faith
Introduction
Deuteronomy 33:18-29: Moses continues offering his blessing to the nation tribe by tribe. The concluding verses (26-29) read like a victory hymn in praise of God’s deliverance and, along with verses 2-5 from yesterday’s reading, form a celebratory framework surrounding the tribal blessings.
Scripture Reading
18 About the tribes of Zebulun and Issachar he said:
“May Zebulun be prosperous in their trade on the sea,
And may Issachar’s wealth increase at home.
19 They invite foreigners to their mountain
And offer the right sacrifices there.
They get their wealth from the sea
And from the sand along the shore.”
20 About the tribe of Gad he said:
“Praise God, who made their territory large.
Gad waits like a lion
To tear off an arm or a scalp.
21 They took the best of the land for themselves;
A leader’s share was assigned to them.
They obeyed the Lord’s commands and laws
When the leaders of Israel were gathered together.”
22 About the tribe of Dan he said:
“Dan is a young lion;
He leaps out from Bashan.”
23 About the tribe of Naphtali he said:
“Naphtali is richly blessed by the Lord’s good favor;
Their land reaches to the south from Lake Galilee.”
24 About the tribe of Asher he said:
“Asher is blessed more than the other tribes.
May he be the favorite of his brothers,
And may his land be rich with olive trees.
25 May his towns be protected with iron gates,
And may he always live secure.”
26 People of Israel, no god is like your God,
riding in splendor across the sky,
riding through the clouds to come to your aid.
27 God has always been your defense;
his eternal arms are your support.
He drove out your enemies as you advanced,
and told you to destroy them all.
28 So Jacob’s descendants live in peace,
secure in a land full of grain and wine,
where dew from the sky waters the ground.
29 Israel, how happy you are!
There is no one like you,
a nation saved by the Lord.
The Lord himself is your shield and your sword,
to defend you and give you victory.
Your enemies will come begging for mercy,
and you will trample them down.
Today’s Key Verse: Deuteronomy 33:27a
God has always been your defense; his eternal arms are your support.
Reflect
What is Moses’s blessing for each of the remaining six tribes cited in today’s reading? Reread verses 26-29. How is God described? What images for God resonate with you? Why?
Pray
No god is like you, O God! Your majesty is revealed in the wonders of your creation. When I feel helpless or troubled, you come to my aid and your eternal arms support me.
I thank and praise you for all your mighty works. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Deuteronomy 34:1-12: Moses dies in the land of Moab.