This chapter contains a blessing from Moses to the people just before his death. Moses blesses each tribe uniquely, beginning and ending his blessing with praise for God.
“Of Benjamin he said, ‘The beloved of the Lord dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between his shoulders.’ And of Joseph he said, ‘Blessed by the Lord be his land, with the choicest gifts of heaven above, and of the deep that crouches beneath…’ And of Naphtali he said, ‘O Naphtali, sated with favor, and full of the blessing of the Lord, possess the lake and the south.’ And of Asher he said, ‘Most blessed of sons be Asher; let him be the favorite of his brothers, and let him dip his foot in oil.’ ” (v12-13,23-24)
This blessing, which reads very much like a psalm, is Moses’ farewell words to his people. After reciting the entire law, Moses ends on a high note, speaking well of God and all of Israel, emboldening them to continue on the path of following their Lord and King, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Moses had an advantage here, God told him the time and place of his death. This meant Moses was able to choose his final words very carefully. Most of us on this earth do not know our final hour or even our final year, so we can’t know which words will be our final words in order to make them count.
That being said, my challenge is to bless people each and every day, making all of our interactions meaningful and powerful. We have been instructed to love, honor, respect and build up all those made in God’s image, so I encourage us to do that.
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” (1 Pt 3:8-9) “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 The 5:11) “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (Rm 12:14) “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” (Rm 15:2)
Father God, the provider of all blessing, holy and awesome is Your name. You have given us many blessings in this life, examples include salvation and opportunities to serve You. Please be our guide and help us to glorify You by blessing those around us. May we be encouraged to encourage others, and built up by You so we may build up others. Jesus thank you for showing us the way, and Spirit thank you for providing the words and wisdom. In our Lord and Savior Jesus’ name we ask this, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training