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This week’s Parasha is entitled V’Zot HaB’racha, meaning “This is the blessing.” Taken from Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12, this records the final acts of Moses as leader of Israel, first in the form of blessings and then in the account of his death.

Before Moses gives his final blessings to the tribes, he reminds Israel of who their God is and what He has done for them. God came to His people in power and glory. He revealed Himself to them and gave them His Word. At the heart of it all is this wonderful truth: God loves His people. His people belong to Him. They are in His hands. They follow where He leads and receive His instruction. The Law He gave them was a special gift and a treasured possession. And when Israel gathered together as one people, the Lord was their King.

Moses then blesses Reuben, Jacobs’s firstborn by birth, whose position had been affected by his moral failure: “Let Reuben live and not die out, even though his population is small.” Even after Reuben’s failure, Moses asks God to preserve and increase his tribe. The reminder here is that God’s mercy can extend beyond our failures.

Of Judah, Moses asks God to gather Judah as a people and give them strength against their enemies. We can’t read that blessing without looking ahead to Judah’s greatest Son, Yeshua the Messiah. Yeshua came from the tribe of Judah, and He is the One who gathers His people together. He gathers the Jewish people, the faithful remnant of Israel, and people from the nations who have come to God through faith in Him. Yeshua is our great Defender, the One who stands for His people and ultimately defeats every enemy.

Of Levi, Moses asks the Lord to bless the tribe’s work, accept its service and protect it from its enemies. Levi had been set apart for service to the Lord, and Moses’ blessing recognizes the importance of that calling. Their blessing was connected not simply with what they would possess, but with their service to God.

Of Benjamin, Moses says that the beloved of the Lord will live in safety, with the Lord protecting and surrounding him. Benjamin’s blessing emphasizes security in the presence of God. The Lord Himself would be near His people and watch over them.

Of Joseph, Moses gives the richest blessings. He asks that Joseph’s land be blessed with the precious gifts of Heaven and Earth, with abundant crops and the favor of God. Joseph is pictured as a powerful bull with the horns of a wild ox, a picture of strength and influence. This blessing extends to Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who would become two great tribes in Israel.

Of Zebulun and Issachar, Moses speaks of prosperity in their activities, whether traveling or dwelling at home. They would enjoy the abundance God provided. They would call people to the mountain to offer sacrifices of righteousness. Their blessing reminds us that God’s provision is meant to lead us toward worship and gratitude.

Of Gad, Moses speaks of enlarged territory, strength and courage. Gad would receive a choice portion of the land and would faithfully fulfill the Lord’s commands. This was a tribe that had shown courage in helping the other tribes take possession of their land.

Of Dan, Moses says, “Dan is a lion’s cub, leaping out from Bashan.” The picture speaks of strength, vigor and movement. Like a young lion, Dan would have the strength to advance.

Of Naphtali, Moses says that Naphtali will be richly blessed and will possess the abundance of the west and the south. The emphasis is on the abundance of God’s blessing and the inheritance He would give them.

Of Asher, Moses says, “Asher is the most blessed of sons.” He speaks of favor, strength and security, ending with the wonderful promise, “May you be secure all your days.” What a blessing that is: not merely prosperity, but security under God’s care.

Moses then lifts his eyes from the individual tribes to God and to Israel as a whole: “There is no one like the God of Israel.” The eternal God is Israel’s refuge, and His everlasting arms are underneath His people always.

Moses reminds them that their ultimate security is not in their leaders or even the land. Their security is only in the Lord their God.

What a fitting way for Moses to end his life. He had led Israel out of Egypt, mediated the Sinai Covenant, endured their rebellion and brought them to the edge of the Land of Promise.

In chapter 34, Moses climbed Mount Nebo to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. Adonai showed him the Promised Land, but Moses was not permitted to enter it. Moses then died in Moab at the age of 120. Scripture says that his eyes were not weak and his strength had not diminished. The Lord buried him, and no one knows the location of his grave. Israel mourned for Moses for thirty days.

Joshua, the son of Nun, succeeded Moses. He was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands upon him. So the people followed him.

Deuteronomy closes by saying that no prophet had arisen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. Moses was unique in his relationship with God and in the signs and wonders God performed through him. Yet Scripture points us beyond Moses to Yeshua, the greater Mediator. Moses mediated the Sinai Covenant, but Yeshua is the Mediator of the New Covenant. Moses died and was buried by God, but Yeshua died, was buried and was raised by God. Moses led Israel toward the Promised Land, while Yeshua brings His people into salvation and eternal life and into the Kingdom of Heaven through the promises of the New Covenant.

Glorious and precious Father, please keep us ever mindful of the grace that drew us to Messiah, the blood that cleanses us, the righteousness that justifies us and the truth that sanctifies us. We long to love You with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength. But to do that, we need a greater outpouring of Your Holy Spirit, that we may live according to Your truth and serve and glorify You.