Charles Spurgeon Commentary Deuteronomy 33
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
Deuteronomy 33
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
Deuteronomy 33
"And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death." — Deuteronomy 33:1 (ASV)
A very beautiful thought, that he should conclude his life with a blessing. Though they had greatly grieved and provoked his spirit, he was always meek and tender, but he had very much to bear from them, and this is the end of it all, that he will dismiss them with his blessing.
"And he said, Jehovah came from Sinai, And rose from Seir unto them; He shined forth from mount Paran, And he came from the ten thousands of holy ones: At his right hand was a fiery law for them. Yea, he loveth the people; All his saints are in thy hand: And they sat down at thy feet; [Every one] shall receive of thy words." — Deuteronomy 33:2-3 (ASV)
Yea, he loved the people; God's appearance on Sinai was a sign of his love to them, even though it amazed them and distressed many of them. Yet still it was a great thing that God should come so near to these people and reveal his will to them.
Dear friends, if God should come to you with his fiery law, if he should humble you and make you exceeding fear and quake, it would be a sign of love. The ungodly are left to go in their sin, but as for you, if you are one whom he loves, he will rebuke you, and he will bring his law to do its work upon your heart and conscience. It seems strange to you, but so it is. From his right hand went a fiery law for them.
Yea, he loved the people; Oh! it is so, because he loves them, he reveals to them his fiery law.
All his saints are in thy hand: A place of safety, a place of privilege, where they learn how precious they are to him, for he holds them so dear that he keeps them always in his hand.
All his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; Another place for saints; they are always learning; they are disciples; they sit with meek humility at their Master's feet and drink in his words, Everyone shall receive of thy words. Those who do not know God's love trifle with God's words and reject them; those whom he loves receive his words and feed upon them.
"Moses commanded us a law, An inheritance for the assembly of Jacob. And he was king in Jeshurun, When the heads of the people were gathered, All the tribes of Israel together. Let Reuben live, and not die; Nor let his men be few." — Deuteronomy 33:4-6 (ASV)
Here is his blessing, Let Reuben live. Reuben's great sin had lost him his birthright, yet Moses gives him as much of his blessing as he can. If we are not allowed to draw the largest blessing, let us go as far as we can.
"And this is [the blessing] of Judah: and he said, Hear, Jehovah, the voice of Judah, And bring him in unto his people. With his hands he contended for himself; And thou shalt be a help against his adversaries. And of Levi he said, Thy Thummim and thy Urim are with thy godly one, Whom thou didst prove at Massah, With whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; Who said of his father, and of his mother, I have not seen him; Neither did he acknowledge his brethren, Nor knew he his own children: For they have observed thy word, And keep thy covenant." — Deuteronomy 33:7-9 (ASV)
Judah was the royal tribe—it had much to do with warfare. Lord give him power in prayer! This is the distinctive benediction for those who have to lead the way in the battles of God.
In the service of God, Levi was impartial; he did not wink at sin in his dearest relatives. You remember how they took the sword, and went through the camp, and killed their own brothers when they found them guilty of idolatry, and because of this faithfulness we read, They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law. Above all things, a teacher of the truth of God must be fearless and impartial in the delivery of God's Word; then God will bless him, and it shall be said of such, They shall teach Jacob, etc.
"They shall teach Jacob thine ordinances, And Israel thy law: They shall put incense before thee, And whole burnt-offering upon thine altar." — Deuteronomy 33:10 (ASV)
True hearts alone can be God's priests; he will not accept sacrifices from those who will toy with his truth, and trifle with his Word.
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