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Deut. 33:12-29 — blessings for all of Israel

God’s blessings for the tribes of Israel reach down through time, though apostasy and repentance. These are blessings for all Israel, all those who put their trust in the LORD God, the Creator.

God’s blessings for the tribes of Israel reach down through time, though apostasy and repentance. These are blessings for all Israel, all those who put their trust in the LORD God, the Creator.

Food for thought

Why did God give the gifts to the tribes described in Deut. 33:12-29? Were they given for the particular tribe alone?

Where does Benjamin dwell? Which tribe is closer to God?

Yosef (Joseph) got the lion’s share of the blessings. What were those blessings? What was Yosef supposed to do with these blessings?

Did God take these blessings back when Israel backslid or rejected God? If not, what does that say about the common teaching that the blessings God gave Israel were transferred to the church?

What does Deut. 33:17 tell us? What do Ephraim and Manasseh do together?

Why are Zebulun and Issachar put together in blessing? What do they accomplish together?

How does God bless Gad? How does Gad conquer? What is Gad supposed to do? What is he supposed to do with the Law? How does the lion symbolize Gad, Yehudah (Judah), and Messiah? Who is going to judge the rest of the world? How does this fit into apostle Paul’s admonition for believers to judge their own matters rather than depending on secular courts (1st Cor. 6:1-8)?

Apostle Paul reminds us that “there are many gifts but one Spirit” (Eph. 4:4). He also reminds us that “there are many parts but one body” (1st Cor. 12:20). How do these blessings for Israel benefit the whole “body,” i.e., all those who put their faith in the LORD God?