Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Prayer Meeting Lesson Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/pm/pm20030423.htm

DEUTERONOMY: GETTING OTHERS TO BE VICTORS, NOT CASUALTIES
Part XXXIII: Discipling Others On Knowing And Succeeding In God's Personal Assignments
(Deuteronomy 33:1-29)
  1. Introduction
    1. Every believer is to use of his supernatural enabling from the Lord for Christian service, 1 Peter 4:10.
    2. However, believers may often wonder what their gift is, or what God wants them to do.
    3. Deuteronomy 33:1-29 offers insight on discerning our assignments and giftings as follows:
  2. Discipling Others On Knowing And Succeeding In God's Personal Assignments, Deut. 33:1-29.
    1. In typical patriarchal fashion, Moses gave a blessing to each of the tribes, Deut. 33:1. He was a kind of "father figure" to the nation at this late date in his life, so this blessing was respected by Israel as such.
    2. The way he did so shows each tribe how it was to fulfill God's will to gain His blessing, Deut. 33:2-29:
      1. Moses began his blessing by reminding the nation of the many things God had performed to prepare it to enter the Land, Deut. 33:2-5. This would assure Israel that God really desired to bless the nation.
      2. Then, Moses detailed what he in his wisdom and prophetic insight saw each tribe doing to serve God in blessing, insight in PART based on each tribe's historical background: (B.K.C., O.T., p. 321f).
        1. Reuben - As Moses realized the Reubenites were prone to have adversity (due to Jacob's prediction, cf. Gen. 49:4), he urged the Reubenites to rely upon God to stay bountiful in adversity. (33:6)
        2. Judah - As the tribe of Judah led Israel into battle, Moses urged the men of Judah to rely on the Lord for military conflict blessings. (Deuteronomy 33:7)
        3. Levi - As the Levites had been faithful to God in Moses and impartial in the golden calf matter (Ex. 32:25-29), they were trustworthy in teaching the other tribes God's Word, Deut. 33:8-11. Thus, the men of Levi were to trust God to remain impartial and teach God's Word in Israel.
        4. Benjamin - As Benjamin was Jacob's youngest and especially loved son, Moses urged it be shielded by God, 33:12. Thus, Benjamin was to trust God for protection amidst threats to its weakness.
        5. Joseph's (Ephraem/Manasseh) children - Moses realized God's blessing to Joseph would pass to his sons, that they were destined for agricultural and military might, Deut. 33:13-17. Thus, Ephraem and Manasseh were to trust the Lord for agricultural and military successes.
        6. Zebulun and Issachar - Moses saw both of these tribes being blessed in connection to bodies of water, one by the Sea of Galilee and the other near the Mediterranean, 33:18-19. Thus, Zebulun and Issachar were to trust the Lord for blessings and bounty in commerce related to the seas.
        7. Gad - Though the tribe of Gad had the best land, they would fight valiantly for the conquest of the Promised Land (Deut. 33:20-21). Thus, Gad was to trust the Lord to do His will well in battle.
        8. Dan - If "Bashan" should be rendered "serpent" as some hold, Moses' would claim though the Danites were able to be strong, they could still be timid before a serpent, Ibid., p. 322; Deut. 33:22. Thus, the people of Dan were to trust God to be strong rather than faithlessly acting in fear.
        9. Naphtali - Moses realized this tribe, akin to the experience of Ephraim, Manasseh and Asher, would enjoy God's blessing, but in connection to the Sea of Galilee, Ibid.; Deut. 33:23. Thus, Naphtali was to trust the Lord for His blessings relative to livelihood from the Sea of Galilee.
        10. Asher - Moses knew the people of Asher would experience great agricultural blessings and military might, Deut. 33:24-25. Thus, Asher was to trust the Lord for abundance and military might.
      3. In closing, Moses shared a sevenfold promise of God's bounty to equip each tribe to trust God: (a) He would provide intimate fellowship for encouragement, 33:26; (b) He would have eternal resources to cover all events they faced, 33:27a; (c) He would be a refuge where people could hide in trials, 33:27a; (d) He would supply everlasting support in times of weakness and defeat, 33:27a; (e) He would oppose their enemies, 33:27b,c; (f) He would supply their material needs, 33:28 and (g) be their key to joy, 29.
Lesson: God intended to use EACH tribe based on (1) their own PAST histories and characteristics in relating to Him and (2) in accord with the view of the GODLY leader and overseer in Moses, a respected counselor of theirs. (3) Thus, each tribe was to trust God to fulfill these their own callings.

Application: (1) We learn how God wants to use us by (a) noting His use of us in the PAST (b) along with the advice of godly leaders. (2) Then, we ACCEPT that task and (3) TRUST God to do His will.