Sun.’s Devo - The Tribal Blessings

Read: Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Luke 13:1-21; Psalm 78:65-2; Proverbs 12:25 Moses gave a metaphor about the sun representing God who appeared in divine light on sinai. He scattered his beams on all the region that Israel would march to Canaan. He mentions mountains of Seir on the east and Paron to the west. *** Then Moses gave a blessing to each of the tribes. Reuben had lost the status of the first born but Moses prayed that they would not die out. They ended up going from a large tribe to a small nomadic tribe with few members. The last part of that verse is thought to be for Simeon which says, “though they are few in numbers.” Judah was blessed with strength to defend against their enemy. Judah was the first to march in military expeditions. Moses applauded the Levites in their fight against sin even when they had to go against their own family with the golden calf. Favor was given to Benjamin by putting Jerusalem in their territory. The tribe of Joseph would have land that would produce olives, grapes, and figs as well as grain and herbs. They were blessed with glory and strength. Zebulun would be blessed with commercial enterprises and trade since they were by the sea. Issachar would be blessed in their tents because they also lived by the sea. Both Zebulun and Issachar would trade with the Phoenicians in gold, silver, pearl, coral, shells, dyes and in glass which was manufactured in the sand. Gad had more than they would have had if they had settled west of the Jordan. They were blessed to have Moses settle with them. They had faithfully helped the other tribes capture their lands. Dan was so large it needed more land and lept as a lion from the hills of Bashan to conquer more land for themselves. Naphtali was blessed with favor and riches. Asher was blessed with all the earth could give, especially olive oil that is pressed by the feet. He also talked about Asher haven shoes of iron and brass because their terrain was rocky. *** As long as God was their king he would protect them and be their refuge. He would drive out their enemies before then and they would lie in safety and security. *** In Luke, Jesus learned about the people Pilate murdered as they came to worship at the Temple. Jesus wanted to right a wrong teaching they had. They were taught that bad things happen to bad people and if disaster hit then you deserved it. Jesus explained that they were no more evil than they were. Disaster happens because Satan is alive and well on planet earth. We are born for God’s purpose which is to produce fruit for him. He is very patient with us, wanting us to die with rewards not empty.-handed. *** One day a woman came to the Temple who had been crippled for 18 years. Jesus didn’t condemn her for some sin that caused her to be crippled. He blessed her with healing., The scribes and Pharisees were indignant that he did this on the Sabbath. Jesus shamed them comparing her to their own donkey who they would stop and pull out of the mud on the Sabbath. Jesus explained that she had been held bondage by Satan all these years and it was time for her release. They should be happy for her. *** Jesus then went into several parables about the Kingdom of God. He compared it to a mustard seed and yeast. Both started out small and grew and grew. No one would be able to stop what God was going to do. *** Lord, may we be a part of the spread of your Kingdom. May it be on earth as it is in heaven.