331 This is the blessing, with which Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. 2 He said,
“Yahweh came from Sinai,
And rose from Seir to them.
He shone forth from Mount Paran.
He came from the ten thousands of holy ones.
At his right hand was a fiery law for them. 3 Yes, he loves the people.
All his saints are in your hand.
They sat down at your feet;
Everyone shall receive of your words. 4 Moses commanded us a law,
An inheritance for the assembly of Jacob. 5 He was king in Jeshurun,
When the heads of the people were gathered,
All the tribes of Israel together.
6 “Let Reuben live, and not die;
Nor let his men be few.” 7 This is the blessing of Judah: and he said,
“Hear, Yahweh, the voice of Judah.
Bring him in to his people.
With his hands he contended for himself.
You shall be a help against his adversaries.”
8 Of Levi he said,
“Your Thummim and your Urim are with your godly one,
whom you proved at Massah,
with whom you strove at the waters of Meribah; 9 who said of his father, and of his mother, ‘I have not seen him;’
Neither did he acknowledge his brothers,
Nor did he know his own children:
For they have observed your word,
and keep your covenant. 10 They shall teach Jacob your ordinances,
and Israel your law.
They shall put incense before you,
and whole burnt offering on your altar. 11 Yahweh, bless his substance.
Accept the work of his hands.
Strike through the hips of those who rise up against him,
of those who hate him, that they not rise again.”
12 Of Benjamin he said,
“The beloved of Yahweh shall dwell in safety by him.
He covers him all the day long.
He dwells between his shoulders.” 13 Of Joseph he said,
“His land is blessed by Yahweh,
for the precious things of the heavens, for the dew,
for the deep that couches beneath,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 33:1-13
Commentary on Deuteronomy 33:1-5
(Read Deuteronomy 33:1-5)
To all his precepts, warnings, and prophecies, Moses added a solemn blessing. He begins with a description of the glorious appearances of God, in giving the law. His law works like fire. If received, it is melting, warming, purifying, and burns up the dross of corruption; if rejected, it hardens, sears, pains, and destroys. The Holy Spirit came down in cloven tongues, as of fire; for the gospel also is a fiery law. The law of God written in the heart, is a certain proof of the love of God shed abroad there: we must reckon His law one of the gifts of his grace.
Commentary on Deuteronomy 33:6-23
(Read Deuteronomy 33:6-23)
The order in which the tribes are here blessed, is not the same as is observed elsewhere. The blessing of Judah may refer to the whole tribe in general, or to David as a type of Christ. Moses largely blesses the tribe of Levi. Acceptance with God is what we should all aim at, and desire, in all our devotions, whether men accept us or not, 2 Corinthians 5:9. This prayer is a prophecy, that God will keep up a ministry in his church to the end of time. The tribe of Benjamin had their inheritance close to mount Zion. To be situated near the ordinances, is a precious gift from the Lord, a privilege not to be exchanged for any worldly advantage, or indulgence. We should thankfully receive the earthly blessings sent to us, through the successive seasons. But those good gifts which come down from the Father of lights, through the rising of the Sun of righteousness, and the pouring out of his Spirit like the rain which makes fruitful, are infinitely more precious, as the tokens of his special love. The precious things here prayed for, are figures of spiritual blessing in heavenly things by Christ, the gifts, graces, and comforts of the Spirit. When Moses prays for the good will of Him that dwelt in the bush, he refers to the covenant, on which all our hopes of God's favour must be founded. The providence of God appoints men's habitations, and wisely disposes men to different employments for the public good. Whatever our place and business are, it is our wisdom and duty to apply thereto; and it is happiness to be well pleased therewith. We should not only invite others to the service of God, but abound in it. The blessing of Naphtali. The favour of God is the only favour satisfying to the soul. Those are happy indeed, who have the favour of God; and those shall have it, who reckon that in having it they have enough, and desire no more.