Year 1, Week 23, Day 4 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 23, Day 4

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Deuteronomy 33-34.

Today’s reading completes, not only Deuteronomy, also the collection of the first five Books of the Old Testament, commonly known as the Torah or Pentateuch; and sometimes just known as the Law. These five Books are fundamental to the Scriptures, for they explain not only the origins of the universe by the creative power of God, but also the start of God’s redemptive purposes to rescue a people for Himself. Deuteronomy 33, reminiscent of Genesis 49, records words of blessing. In Genesis 49, an aging, near death Jacob, blesses His sons; now here is Deuteronomy 33, an aging, near death Moses, blesses the tribes. Amid these blessings wonderful realities concerning the LORD are revealed. Deuteronomy 34 records the ascension of Moses on top Mt. Nebo, where he is shown the Promised Land, but then notes his death, the response of Israel to Moses’ death, and the emergence of Joshua as Moses’ successor.

One of the things that struck me in today’s reading was the assurance of the LORD’s abiding presence with His people, Israel: “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalm 90:1). This Psalm of Moses reflects Moses’ word from today’s reading: “The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deuteronomy 33:27a). As Moses has blessed the particular tribes that comprised Israel as a nation, the conclusion is a statement of blessing to the whole nation. The blessing upon the nation begins with a statement concerning God Himself: “There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty.” (Deuteronomy 33:26). There is no one like the LORD God and there is no one that the LORD promises to help like that of His people. The term “Jeshurun” is most likely something of a nickname for the nation of Israel. The LORD God chose to be King over His people: “Thus the LORD became king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people were gathered, all the tribes of Israel together.” (Deuteronomy 33:5). And as King, He gave His people His good Law as an expression of His love: “Yes, he loved his people, all his holy ones were in his hand; so they followed in your steps, receiving direction from you, when Moses commanded us a law, as a possession for the assembly of Jacob” (Deuteronomy 33:3-4). As Israel will soon be in the Land, it is not the Land but the LORD Himself who is the real blessing.

As a result of the LORD’s abiding presence with His people, the implications of this reality meant both protection and provision for His people: "And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, ‘Destroy.’ So Israel lived in safety, Jacob lived alone, in a land of grain and wine, whose heavens drop down dew.” (Deuteronomy 33:27b-28). As the LORD has already shown His commitment to protect and provide for His people as they wandered through the wilderness, life in the Promised Land will mean continued protection and provision. All of these promised blessings, both while they were in the wilderness and now as they were about to enter their Land, were connected to the LORD being with His people. Thus, all of these blessings could be counted on for as long as the LORD chose to be present with His people. Moses is passing away and Joshua is next to take the lead, but through this leadership transition, it would be the LORD Himself, neither Joshua or Moses, whose presence was crucial.

Moses started this section by declaring the uniqueness of the LORD, “There is none like God,” but now in his last words to the nation, Moses underscored the uniqueness of Israel because of the LORD’s relationship to them: “Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph! Your enemies shall come fawning to you, and you shall tread upon their backs.” (Deuteronomy 33:29). The true source of Israel’s happiness will not be the protection and provision they receive in the Land, but the prospects of the LORD’s presence with them as they dwell in the Land. While safety from their enemies would be a wonderful blessing, being safe will not be enough to satisfy their souls. Their souls would only be happy before the LORD: “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Psalm 42:1-2a). While living in a land of grain and wine would be a wonderful blessing, neither food nor drink alone will be enough to satisfy: “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” (Psalm 4:7). Protection and provision are good blessings from the LORD, to be received with thankful hearts. But we must always remember that good things from the LORD cannot replace what we need most—the LORD Himself. Only the LORD’s presence is there true happiness to be experienced. Tragically, Moses’ last words will be some of the first to be forgotten.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe