Deuteronomy 33 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study
Deuteronomy 33 Summary - A Quick Overview
WHEN:
Moses’ speech, recorded in the opening chapters of Deuteronomy, occurred immediately following the Israelites’ 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.
The Israelites were in the wilderness from approximately 1490-1450 B.C.
The Book of Deuteronomy opens on the 1st day of the 11th month in the 40th year (Deu 1:3) following the Israelites departure from Egypt (approximately 1450 B.C.).
CHARACTERS:
Israelites (Hebrews) – The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God granted them freedom after several hundred years in slavery in Egypt. Leading up to the book of Deuteronomy, the Israelites had spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness as they made their way to Canaan, the land God promised to give them as a home.
Moses – Moses was selected by God to lead the Israelites to Canaan. God spoke directly to Moses and Moses communicated God’s words and laws to the people.
Joshua - Moses’ assist and while he led the people in the wilderness. God selected Joshua to lead the Israelites after Moses’ death.
WHERE:
Deuteronomy 1:5 tells us Moses spoke the words recorded in Deuteronomy while in Moab, probably on the plains of Moab near Pisgah (Numbers 22:1).
Mount Nebo (Mount Pisgah; 34:1) is highlighted in this chapter. God appointed Mount Nebo as the place where Moses would die.
OUTLINE:
MOSES BLESSES THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL BEFORE HIS DEATH (33:1-29):
In Deuteronomy 32, God told Moses the day of his death had arrived.
Before his death, Moses spoke a blessing over the people.
He began by speaking about the glorious God who descended from heaven and gave the people His law on Mount Sinai.
Then Moses blessed the tribes of Israel one by one, giving each a unique blessing (33:6-25). The blessings contain a lot of metaphor and figurative language.
Moses’ blessing ended with praise to God and a reminder to Israel of how lucky they were.
God would ride through the heavens in His majesty to come to Israel’s aid.
Moses’ concluded by saying, “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!”
APPLICATION:
Why did Moses bless the people even though he knew they weren’t going to be as faithful to God as they should be?
Israel could receive a blessing, not based on their personal righteousness, but because Moses knew God would work through the nation to accomplish His will.
We should bless the Church for a similar reason.
The people that make up the Church aren’t always perfect, and they don’t always represent Jesus well, but we can be certain that God is at work even in the imperfections of those He called to be His people.
