Deu 33:1 This is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the people of Israel before his death.
Deu 33:6 “Let Reuben live, and not die, but let his men be few.”
This tepid blessing was consistent with Jacob’s prophecy concerning the tribe of Reuben (you shall not excel, Genesis 49:4). The tribe of Reuben never did excel. As far as is known, there never came a prophet, a judge, or a king from the tribe of Reuben. (Guzik)
Deu 33:7 And this he said of Judah: “Hear, O LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him in to his people. With your hands contend for him, and be a help against his adversaries.”
Moses prayed for the blessing and sustaining of the tribe of Judah, so that it would fulfill its prophetic destiny to bring the Messiah. Moses knew this destiny for the tribe of Judah from Jacob’s prophecy in Genesis 49:10: The scepter shall not depart from Judah. (Guzik)
Deu 33:8 And of Levi he said……
Deu 33:11 Bless, O LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands; crush the loins of his adversaries, of those who hate him, that they rise not again.”
Because of their obedience and loyalty to God, Levi had a blessed place among the tribes of Israel. Moses prayed that the substance of Levi would be blessed and that their enemies would be defeated. (Guzik)
“The blessing of God to the tribe of Levi was peculiarly necessary, because they had no inheritance among the children of Israel, and lived more immediately than others upon the providence of God.” (Clarke)
In the golden calf incident, “Moses had asked ‘whoever is for the Lord’ (Exodus 32:26) to come forward and punish the Israelite idolaters even to the extent of ‘brother and friend and neighbor’ (Deuteronomy 33:27). Levi volunteered and proceeded to slay their own ‘sons and brothers’ (Deuteronomy 33:29).” (Merrill)
Deu 33:12 Of Benjamin he said, “The beloved of the LORD dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between his shoulders.”
The tribe of Benjamin had their inheritance close to mount Zion. To be situated near the ordinances, is a precious gift from the Lord, a privilege not to be exchanged for any worldly advantage, or indulgence. We should thankfully receive the earthly blessings sent to us, through the successive seasons. But those good gifts which come down from the Father of lights, through the rising of the Sun of righteousness, and the pouring out of his Spirit like the rain which makes fruitful, are infinitely more precious, as the tokens of his special love. (Henry)
