In these verses, Moses blesses the three remaining tribes: Dan, Naphtali, and Asher. Then, he exalts the greatness of God and declares the happiness of Israel as the people of God. This passage is a fitting close to the blessing of Moses the man of God (Deuteronomy 33:1And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.
See All...).

What Does It Say?

1. Naphtali is satisfied with __________ and full with the _____________ of the Lord.
2. Asher is to be ____________ to his brethren.
3. The God of Jeshurun is He who “rideth upon the ___________ in thy _________.”
4. Israel then shall dwell in ___________ alone.
5. The enemies of Israel shall be “found __________ unto thee.”

What Does It Mean?

1. The tribe of Dan is compared to a lion’s whelp (a young lion) that will leap from Bashan (Deuteronomy 33:22And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.
   See All...). The picture is of one who has trouble staying put in one place. Read Judges 18:1-2 [1] In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day all their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel. [2] And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there.
   See All..., 27-29 and tell one possible application of this prophecy.
2. Deuteronomy 33:27The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.
   See All... states, “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” This is the only place where the exact phrase, “eternal God,” is used to refer to God, although He is called the “everlasting God” in three places (Genesis 21:33And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.
   See All...; Isaiah 40:28Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
   See All...; Romans 16:26But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
   See All...). What is the significance of this title? What is the meaning of the eternal God being their refuge (that is, a place of shelter and safety)?
3. Take each of the three statements in Deuteronomy 33:28Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.
   See All... and explain their meaning. What do you think “the fountain of Jacob” is talking about? Compare Psalm 68:26Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.
   See All...; Jeremiah 2:13For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
   See All...; Hosea 13:15Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.
   See All...; Zechariah 13:1In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
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What Does It Mean to Me?

1. To Asher, Moses says, “as thy days, so shall thy strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:25Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.
   See All...). The hymn “Day by Day” by Lina Sandell Berg uses this phrasing in its second stanza: “Every day the Lord Himself is near me with a special mercy for each hour; All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me, He whose name is Counselor and Power. The protection of His child and treasure is a charge that on Himself He laid; As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure; This the pledge to me He made.” Explain the meaning of the statement and tell how it applies to our lives.
2.  In Deuteronomy 33:29Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.
   See All..., God is presented as Saviour, Shield, and Sword. Find the statement that identifies Him as each of these and give the meaning of each statement. Explain the importance of God being all three of these. How does God work in our lives as Saviour? As Shield? As Sword?

Suggested Memory Verses

 Deuteronomy 33:25Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.
See All..., 27, 29