Enduring Word – Devotion

 

Romans 5:1-2   Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[ have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

Ephesians 6:2    And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. (Genesis 28:12)

The sins of Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, and Jacob all combined to make a big mess, so big that Jacob had to flee from his twin brother who had vowed to kill him. Jacob traveled eastward toward Haran, in the ancestral lands of his grandfather Abraham (Genesis 11:31-32) and his mother Rebekah (Genesis 24:3-4).

Traveling alone through the desolate landscape, Jacob had a significant dream as he used a stone for a pillow. One can only imagine the strange flood of feelings in Jacob at this moment: the fear, the loneliness, the isolation, the excitement, and the anticipation. This was an important time in Jacob’s life.

Jacob’s dream presented an interesting image. He saw a ladder on the earth, one that reached to heaven. Jacob saw in his dream the angels of God going up and down (ascending and descending) on the ladder.

Through this dream, God told Jacob that there was a way to access heaven – that heaven and earth were not permanently and completely separated – there was access to heaven. Jacob now knew God was closer than he had ever before believed and there was real interaction between heaven and earth. Heaven is not shut up, and God concerns Himself with what happens on earth. All this was a life-changing revelation to Jacob, who previously seemed to have litter interest in or regard for God.

In the New Testament, Jesus made specific reference to this dream of Jacob when He said to Nathanael: Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man (John 1:51). Here, Jesus said that He was the fulfillment of the ladder that Jacob saw in his dream. Jesus is humanity’s access to heaven, and Jesus is how heaven comes down to people and by which people can go to heaven. Jesus the Messiah is this ladder, the way to heaven.

Remember the great words Jesus spoke to His disciples the night before He went to the cross: I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6). Jesus didn’t say that He knew the way; Jesus said that He was the way. Jesus didn’t say that He pointed to the way; Jesus said that He was the way.

Jesus is the ladder, the way to God – and there is no other ladder or way. Jesus is the bridge between heaven and earth, and the way was made through His own sacrifice. it is in this sense that Jesus could say in John 1:51 that those angels were ascending and descending upon the Son of Man. He made the way Himself, by His own sacrifice.

Billy Grahram – Devotion

 

“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins.” —Isaiah 43:25

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. … I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.” —Psalm 32:1–2, 5

“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’” —Luke 23:34

Forgiveness can be an emotion-laden word, perhaps because it is at the foundation of all our relationships—with God, with others, and with ourselves.

God’s Forgiveness

When we have fallen into deep sin, it can be difficult to understand why or how God could forgive us. But the Bible assures us that God is willing to forgive our sin when we have submitted our lives to Jesus Christ. In 1 John 1:9 we read, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Billy Graham has said, “God’s forgiveness is not just a casual statement; it is the complete blotting out of all the dirt and degradation of our past, present, and future. The only reason our sins can be forgiven is that, on the cross, Jesus Christ paid their full penalty. [But] only as we bow at the foot of the cross, in contrition, confession, and repentance, can we find forgiveness.”

What must we do to receive God’s forgiveness?

Repent. This means owning up to what we have done—and turning away from our sin: “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight” (Psalm 51:3–4, ESV).

Ask for forgiveness. “For Your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is great” (Psalm 25:11).

Remission. Like a debt that has been covered by someone else, the penalty for our sins was paid by Jesus. “This is My blood … which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28).

Purification. The very essence of forgiveness is that we are totally cleansed from our sins. “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. … Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:7, 9–10).

Reconciliation. When God forgives, we may still suffer consequences for our sin. But through forgiveness, the separation between us and a Holy God is bridged, and we can then enjoy God’s complete love, acceptance, and friendship. God is always in the business of “reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespass against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19, ESV).

Forgiving Yourself

You may be dealing with guilt and fearful feelings from your past. Bondage to the past prevents you from experiencing freedom in the present. This is not God’s will for you; He desires that you experience abundant life (see John 10:10)!

The secret to forgiving yourself is found in accepting God’s forgiveness for you. When you are tempted to look back on your past sins and condemn yourself, remember how God Himself thinks of you: “I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more” (Jeremiah 31:34).

Forgiving Others

Colossians 3:13 says, “Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”

At times, we may not “feel” like forgiving those who hurt us; however, forgiving is a choice, not a feeling. God is grieved and angered by our sins (see Psalm 7:11), yet He chooses to forgive us. We must do the same with each other. Matthew 6:14–15 says, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

When you choose to forgive those who have wronged you, you are not saying that what they did was right; neither are you excusing their sin. Instead you are releasing them to God and letting Him deal with their offense. You are no longer holding their sin against them.

The Danger of Unforgiveness

If the choice to forgive seems too painful, consider that the alternative—not forgiving—will bring you infinitely more pain. Unforgiveness creates a barrier in your relationships with others and with God; it can lead to depression, burnout, physical problems, broken relationships, and bitterness.

God commands us to forgive others because He loves us. He wants you to experience the immense freedom and joy that come from forgiving, instead of the pain and bitterness that unforgiveness brings.

Moving Forward

  • If you have never asked God to forgive you of your sins and surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, do so now. If you have already turned your life over to Jesus Christ, make your relationship with Him primary in your life (see Matthew 6:33).
  • Examine your heart for ways that you may have wronged others, and then seek their forgiveness. (see Psalm 139:23–24).
  • Make a choice to forgive others who have wronged you. If you do not feel that you can forgive, ask God for the willingness to do so.
  • Actively put behind you those things which hurt you, and refuse to bring them up again.
  • Spend time each day reading God’s Word and talking with Him in prayer. This will be a great help to your spiritual growth.
  • Get involved in a church that lifts up Jesus and the Bible. Find a small group where you can regularly meet for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship.

Turning Point – Devotion

 

That I may know Him.
Philippians 3:10

“Who is the most important person you know?” a man asked his friend. “I am,” came the reply. Perhaps there are better answers. Some would name a president or prime minister, a billionaire or movie star. But none of those answers are the best. The apostle Paul said, in essence, “I want to know Christ.”

The Amplified Bible Classic Edition renders that phrase like this: “[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly].”

As Christians, we’re to give ourselves with intensity to knowing Christ Jesus. We’re to be passionate in doing so—not just in knowing about Him but in knowing Him personally and progressively, more deeply and intimately. Like every other relationship, we draw closer to Him through time spent in conversation. That takes prayer (when we speak with Him) and Bible study (when He speaks to us). That’s why we should open our Bibles every day and pray on a regular basis.

Make sure you don’t miss your regular meetings with the Lord!

It is in getting to know my Bible that I get to know Jesus.

Pathway to Victory – Devotion

 

The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

–Psalm 19:7

If you want a firsthand account of somebody who was at peace no matter what was happening around him, read Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Paul was in prison, potentially facing execution. In addition, there were other Christians slandering him and trying to make a name for themselves at his expense. Paul didn’t worry about those things. Instead, he wrote, “My circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel” (1:12), and, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (4:11).

What was Paul’s secret for maintaining peace? He stayed in regular communication with God. In Philippians 4, Paul wrote about two spiritual disciplines in his life that allowed him to experience God’s peace. One discipline was prayer–that is, speaking to God. Verses 6–7 say, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Just as soldiers march around a fortress to secure it, when you pray about whatever is worrying you, God’s peace will march around the fortress of your mind and protect it from the enemy’s attacks.

The second spiritual discipline Paul mentioned is meditating on God’s Word–that is, allowing God to speak to him. Verse 8 says, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” In this verse, I think Paul was talking about God’s Word. Notice how the psalmist described God’s Word in a similar way: “The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (19:7–8). Reading God’s Word brings God’s peace into our lives. That’s because the Bible is a record of God’s faithfulness to His people. Since God doesn’t change, we can be assured that the same God who was faithful in the past will be faithful to you and me.

Maintaining communication with God freed Paul from anxious thoughts while he was in prison. He wasn’t consumed by his problems; instead, he was consumed by what God was doing for him through his problems. The same can be true for you. You can experience the supernatural peace of God when you make the decision to let the peace of Christ have the final say in your life.

53.v. Wilderness – 18.a. “Death of Moses”

 

Deu 34:1-12  Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, the Negeb, and the Plain, that is, the Valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. And the LORD said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, ‘I will give it to your offspring.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD, and he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor; but no one knows the place of his burial to this day. Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated. And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses. And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Moses was commanded in Deuteronomy 32:48-52 to climb Mount Nebo for his death. Here that command was fulfilled. This was God’s kind grace to Moses. Though he could not set foot in the Promised Land, God allowed him to see it. Standing on the peak of Nebo on the collection of mountains called Pisgah, Moses stood on what is the modern Kingdom of Jordan, looking westward to Canaan. 

Moses lived 120 years (Deuteronomy 31:2), and his life was divided into three 40-year periods. The first 40 years of Moses ended with a murder and a flight from justice (Exodus 2:11-15). The second 40 years of Moses ended with a revelation of God at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-10).The last 40 years of Moses ended with the vision of the Promised Land.

Moses’ epitaph – what we might call the writing on his tombstone, though he had no tombstone – was simple.

· It was not “Moses, prince of Egypt.”

· It was not “Moses, murderer of an Egyptian.”

· It was not “Moses, shepherd in the wilderness.”

· It was not “Moses, spokesman for a nation.”

· It was not “Moses, miracle worker.”

· It was not “Moses, prophet.”

· It was not “Moses, the man who saw a piece of God’s glory.”

· It was not “Moses, who never entered the Promised Land.”

· At the end, the title was simple: Moses the servant of the LORD. (Guzik)

 “His death leaves nothing to regret; neither is any desirable thing lacking. Failing to pass over Jordan seems a mere pin’s prick, in presence of the honours which surrounded his departing hours. His death was the climax of his life. He now saw that he had fulfilled his destiny, and was not as a pillar broken short. He was ordered to lead the people through the wilderness, and he had done so.” “As a mother takes her child and kisses it, and then lays it down to sleep in its own bed; so did the Lord kiss the soul of Moses away to be with him for ever, and then he hid his body we know not where.” (Spurgeon)

 Given the great challenges and responsibilities Moses faced, his relative health at the time of his death was remarkable. “He had seen plenty of sorrow and toil; but such was the simple power of his faith, in casting his burden on the Lord, that they had not worn him out in premature decay. There had been no undue strain on his energy. All that he wrought on earth was the outcome of the secret abiding of his soul in God. God was his home, his help, his stay. He was nothing: God was all. Therefore his youth was renewed.” (Meyer)

53.u. Wilderness – 18. “Conclusion of Blessing”

 

 

Deu 33:26-29  “There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, ‘Destroy.’ So Israel lived in safety, Jacob lived alone, in a land of grain and wine, whose heavens drop down dew. Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph! Your enemies shall come fawning to you, and you shall tread upon their backs.”

What blessing God gave to Israel! As Paul wrote in Romans 3:2: To them were committed the oracles of God. The true greatness of Israel is the same as the greatness of the Christian: not in and of themselves, but in their God, that there is no one like the God of Jeshurun. God is great and uses His greatness on behalf of His people, upholding them with the everlasting arms. When believers are a people saved by the LORD, it means that God is for them, and heaven is on their side. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31). He is the shield of the believer’s help. 

The everlasting arms of God are underneath, as a foundation for everything. Everything in the universe, all creation, the church, the individual believer – all built on a firm foundation, with God’s everlasting, strong, arms underneath. They are also underneath the believer as a place of rest. Our Father’s arms are a perfect pillow, giving perfect rest. We can put all our weight on these strong arms, leaning heavily on them. 

With this salvation, with God as their shield and sword, with victory assured, all this gave God’s people great reason to be happy. These blessings, in their spiritual sense, were not limited to Israel. Believers, God’s people under the new covenant, also have such blessings and reasons to be happy. (Guzik)

If we sink deep from humiliation, from trials, inner conflict, weary working, illness, or impending death – no matter what brings us low – we have God’s everlasting arms underneath us. “You cannot go so low but that God’s arms of love are lower still. You get poorer and poorer; but ‘underneath are the everlasting arms.’ You get older and feebler; your ears are failing, your eyes are growing dim; but ‘underneath are the everlasting arms.’”  “I recollect being at the funeral of one of our brethren, and a dear friend in Christ offered prayer in which there was a sentence which struck me, ‘O Lord,’ he said, ‘thou hast laid our friend low, but we thank thee that he cannot go any lower, for underneath him are the everlasting arms.’ Yes, underneath the bodies of the saints are the everlasting arms of God.” “They are arms which always were, and always will be: arms which always were strong, and never will grow faint or weary; arms which once outstretched will never be drawn back again; arms which once engaged for the defense of the chosen people shall never cease to work for their good world without end. Not failing arms, nor dying arms, but everlasting arms, are underneath the saints of God.” “If you are indeed believers in Christ, you are ‘a people saved by the Lord.’ If you only read as far as the word ‘saved’ and there pause, what music there is in the words—‘a people saved’! Not a people who may be saved, who are in process of being saved, but a people saved; for he that believes in Jesus is saved. The work is done.” “Remember that, O believer. Not half saved, but completely saved; saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation; you shall not be ashamed nor confounded, world without end. Why, that one word ‘saved’ is enough to make the heart dance as long as life remains.” (Spurgeon)

53.t. Wilderness – 17.z. “Blessing – Asher”

 

Deu 33:24-25  And of Asher he said, “Most blessed of sons be Asher; let him be the favorite of his brothers, and let him dip his foot in oil. Your bars shall be iron and bronze, and as your days, so shall your strength be.

The abundance of the tribe of Asher was also expressed by Jacob in Genesis 49:20 (he shall yield royal dainties). Here, Moses blessed Asher with an abundance of olive oil. 

The tribe of Asher would be blessed with wealth so that even their sandals would be made of the best, strongest, most durable materials.

i. Sandals of iron and bronze have a spiritual sense for the believer. Spurgeon suggested several applications.

· Such sandals would protect tender feet, and God protects.

· Such sandals would be sturdy for travel, and God enables us to walk difficult paths.

· Such sandals would be good for soldiers, and we wage war in the Spirit and crush spiritual adversaries under our feet.

· Such sandals would be good for climbing mountains, and God has heights for His people to climb.

· Such sandals would last a long time, needed for our long journey with the LORD. (Guzik)

“The saying, I have no doubt, has comforted the souls of multitudes. The meaning is obvious: ‘Whatever thy trials or difficulties may be, I shall always give thee grace to support thee under and bring thee through them.’” (Clarke)

We receive strength from God as we do our days – day by day, piece by piece. We receive one day at a time and receive strength for that day. We receive strength from God proportionally. A day of little service or little suffering may receive little strength; but days of greater service or greater suffering will receive greater strength. We receive strength from God in many ways. As our days differ, so does the strength God gives us, always suited to the day. We receive strength from God as long as our days continue; it is a constant provision. (Spurgeon)

There is no blessing greater than The Son through whom we receive eternal life. All other blessings are gifts from God through which we are able to recognize more fully His grace, mercy, and love.

53.s. Wilderness – 17.y. “Blessing of Dan & Naphtali”

 

Deu 33:22  And of Dan he said, “Dan is a lion’s cub that leaps from Bashan.”

This may not be a complimentary phrase. History records that Dan was a troublesome tribe. They were the tribe to introduce idolatry into Israel (Judges 18:30); Jeroboam set up one of his idolatrous golden calves in Dan (1 Kings 12:26-30), and later Dan became a center of idol worship in Israel (Amos 8:14). Indeed, Jacob said of Dan in Genesis 49:17, Dan shall be a serpent by the way. (Guzik)

Dan is a lion’s whelp; or like one for boldness, strength, and courage; and was verified in Samson, who was of this tribe; who, when a young lion roared against him, the Spirit of the Lord came on him, and he tore it to pieces, Judges 14:5, (Gill)

Jacob compared Dan to a serpent that suddenly springs forth by the way, and bites the heels of a horse so that the rider falls backward. Moses here compares the tribe to a young lion that suddenly leaps from its lair in Bashan on the object of its attack. Both similitudes relate to the vigor and force which the tribe should display in conflict. (Unknown)

Deu 33:23  And of Naphtali he said, “O Naphtali, sated with favor, and full of the blessing of the LORD, possess the lake and the south.”

The tribe of Naphtali was indeed satisfied with favor. Naphtali’s land was in a key portion near the Sea of Galilee, the region where Jesus did much of His teaching and ministry. Since the ministry of Jesus was based in the tribal lands of Naphtali, his blessing was indeed full. (Guzik)

 “Scarcely any of the tribes was more particularly favoured by the wondrous mercy and kindness of God, than Naphtali and the tribe of Zebulun. The light of the glorious Gospel of Christ shone brightly here, Matthew 4:131516. Christ’s chief residence was at Capernaum in this tribe, Matthew 9:1Mark 2:1; and this city, through Christ’s constant residence, and the mighty miracles he wrought in it, is represented as being exalted unto heaven.” (Clarke)

That only is the favour that satisfies the soul. They are happy indeed that have the favour of God; and they shall have it that place their satisfaction in it. And full with the blessing of the Lord — Not only with corn, wine, and oil, the fruit of the blessing, but with the blessing itself, the grace of God, according to his promise and covenant. (Benson)

O Naphtali, satisfied with favour; with the favour of men, which to have is a great blessing; and as he gave goodly words to others, he had the good word of others, Genesis 49:21; and with the favour of God, as the next clause shows; which is the greatest blessing of all, and is special and peculiar, free and sovereign, and the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; and to be full of this, and satisfied of an interest in it, is the highest of enjoyments; and nothing is of a more satisfying nature, it is a feast of itself. The blessing of the Lord; as such must needs be who are full of and satisfied with the your, good will, and love of God; for they are filled with all spiritual blessings, with all the blessings of grace, which spring from his free favour, as pardon of sin, a justifying righteousness, adoption, sanctifying grace, a right and title to eternal life. (Gill)

In Jacob’s blessing, Naphtali appears invested with the attributes of freedom, gracefulness, and graciousness; here Moses assures that tribe of the Divine grace and blessing, and promises to it prosperity, joyfulness, satisfaction, and pleasure. (Unknow)

53.r. Wilderness – 17.x. “Blessings – Gad”

 

Deu 33:20-21  And of Gad he said, “Blessed be he who enlarges Gad! Gad crouches like a lion; he tears off arm and scalp. He chose the best of the land for himself, for there a commander’s portion was reserved; and he came with the heads of the people, with Israel he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments for Israel.”

The lion-like character of the tribe of Gad was shown by the fact that Gad furnished many fine troops for David. Gad held the central area of land among the Israelite tribes on the eastern side of the Jordan. (Guzik)

“Gad’s area was by far the largest and best, conforming well to its description as ‘the leader’s portion.’” (Merrill)

Teareth the arm with the crown of the head, i.e. utterly destroys his enemies; both the head, the seat of the crown, their dignity and principality, and the arm, the subject of strength and instrument of action; both chief princes, and their instruments and subjects. (Poole)

He dwelleth as a lion; bold and courageous, secure, and without fear of any of his enemies, though near him, on his borders, as the Moabites and Ammonites were; of the same spirit and temper were the men of the tribe of Gad in the times of David

The Gadites had promised this to Moses and the heads of the people; and this promise Moses regarded as an accomplished act, and praised in these words with prophetic foresight as having been already performed, and that not merely as one single manifestation of their obedience towards the word of the Lord, but rather as a pledge that Gad would always manifest the same disposition. (Keil)

I like how Keil said it above. Could you imagine if our lives were lived for Christ in like manner? “As if already performed”, “always manifest the same disposition”. The commitment so deep and strong, the desire to always perform, and the intentional choice ever before them should be more than fitting for us. The problem with being consumed by the busyness of life is that it draws away from our commitment to Jesus Christ. We allow shallow commitment through neglect of God’s Word, desire to study it, and certainly knowing how to apply it. 

When being “lukewarm” is considered being “hot” there is a falling away. Confusion, worry, hate, fear, stagnation, division, darkness, boastfulness, arrogance, pride, greediness, self-worth, self-reliance, jealousy, and loneliness are close companions. 

If you’re inclined to know, it is very easy to know if you’re “lukewarm”. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you discernment in this. You will be amazed at how much of our lives are being consumed with the busyness of life that yields being lukewarm.

53.q. Wilderness – 17.w. “Blessings – Zebulun”

 

 

Deu 33:18-19  And of Zebulun he said, “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and Issachar, in your tents. They shall call peoples to their mountain; there they offer right sacrifices; for they draw from the abundance of the seas and the hidden treasures of the sand.”

Both the tribes of Zebulun and Issachar were in the Galilee region and were blessed to take advantage of the Sea of Galilee. (Guzik)

 “That is, as Zebulun should be prosperous in his shipping and traffic, so should Issachar be in his tents—his agriculture and pasturage.” (Clarke)

The providence of God appoints men’s habitations, and wisely disposes men to different employments for the public good. (Henry)

Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; in their going out to sea, to merchandise, to traffic in foreign parts, it being a maritime tribe, see Genesis 49:13; and so are called upon to rejoice and be thankful for their safe preservation on the seas, and success in trade. Issachar, in thy tents; being a tribe that stayed at home, and attended to husbandry, and dwelt in tents, to take care of and feed their cattle; in doing which they should be prosperous, and have occasion to rejoice, and be thankful to the Lord. (Gill)

I like how Henry put it; “The providence of God appoints men’s habitations, and wisely disposes men to different employments for the public good.”

Likewise, we have been blessed by God through Jesus Christ for public good, but more importantly, in this public good, there should be seen in our lives Honor and Glory to the blessing giver at all times.