THE AUDITORIUM SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

NOVEMBER 21ST, 2004

DEUTERONOMY 33

BLESSINGS TO THE HOUSE OF JACOB

 

 

 

 

I.                   Moses, before his death, is to bless the Children of Israel with Jacob’s blessing.   (1-3)

 

     A.     Moses is the  “Man of God.”   (1)

 

B.          Moses received the Law for the people of God because God loved His people.   (3)

 

1.          The Biblical principles and commands of God are given to God’s children out of Love.

2.          Like a loving father, God gives us a way of life that is superior to any other way of life that we could live.

 

II.                The words of Moses are a repeat of Jacob’s blessings on is sons in Genesis 49.   (5-25)

 

A.           Why would Moses repeat the blessings of Jacob to his sons?

 

1.          The twelve tribes of Israel, in Deuteronomy 33, are the descendents of the twelve sons of Jacob in Genesis 49.

2.          Remember, this is a younger generation that is entering the Promised Land.

-          It is important that the younger generation understands their own identities as Children of God.

 

B.           The Twelve Tribes of Israel are given in verses 5-25:

 

          1.     Reuben     ( 6)                                    11.     Dan          (22)

          2.     Judah        (7)                                     12.     Nephtali  (23)

          3.     Levi           (8)                                     13.     Asher       (24)  

4          Benjamin (12)

5.     Joseph      (13)

6.     Ephraim   (17)

7.          Manasseh (17)

8.          Zebulun    (18)

9.          Issachar    (18)

10.      Gad           (20)

 

 

 

 

C.           Notice the special attention given to Joseph in verses 13-16.

 

1.          Notice the word “precious” is used to describe Joseph in verses 13 – 16.

2.          Joseph stands out as an untarnished figure in the Bible.

 

III.             Moses closes out the chapter with a reminder about God’s protective care over Israel.

 

     A.     The Refuge of Israel is the eternal God.     (27)

 

1.          Protection is found in the arms of God.   (27)

2.          Israel will “in safety alone.”   (28)

 

B.          Moses makes a great statement that we should ponder today:  “…..who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord…..”

 

1.          Only God’s people can claim the promises of God.

2.          Only God’s people can claim the shield of God’s help.   (29)

3.          Only God’s people can rest in God’s presence.

4.          Only God’s people know the real meaning of what it means to be SAVED.

 

 

 

 

CONCLUSION -      Please read Deuteronomy 34 for Next Sunday