Ga – Hear the Voice of Judah 33: 7

Hear the Voice of Judah
33: 7

Hear the voice of Judah DIG: How does Moshe’s prophecy clarify Jacob’s prophecy? Who is the “Him” in this prophecy? When will that take place?

REFLECT: By what names do you call out to ADONAI? As you read through these blessings, what names imply God’s blessings? How does that encourage you?

On the day Moses died, he delivered his final blessing
and then ascended Mount Nebo to view the Land of Promise from afar.

The blessing on Judah is much shorter than the one found in Genesis 49:8-12, and has no Messianic overtones. It does not deny those overtones, but assumes that the Israelites are already aware of them. It seems clear that the last line that it has reference to is military matters. After all, Judah was to march at the head of the Israelite army whenever they entered the field of battle (Numbers 2:9).⁶⁹¹ So, this blessing was basically a prayer for Judah’s military success by God’s help.

The next tribe mentioned is Judah, from which the Messiah would come (see the commentary on Revelation, to see link click Ce – The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David Has Triumphed). Moshe knew it, not only from Jacob’s prophecy (see the commentary on Genesis Lg – The Scepter Will Not Depart from Judah Until He Comes to Whom It Belongs), but from this new revelation: Now this is for Judah. He said: Hear, ADONAI, the voice of Judah! Bring Him to his people. His hands contended for him, so You will be a help against his foes. Who is the Him in this verse? It cannot be Moses. It has to be the Messiah.

It is puzzling that Moses omits the tribe of Simeon from his blessings. You may recall from Genesis that Jacob blessed the tribes of Simeon and Levi with a “blessing” that was more like a curse. He prophesied that they would be dispersed in Jacob and scattered in Isra’el (Genesis 49:7). As it happened, Simeon never really did hold his own territory. The tribe of Simeon diminished in size until it was swallowed up by Judah. The Simeonites were assimilated into Judah, and their territory came to be regarded as Judah’s.

Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You that You are the best that ever could be! Thank You that you bless Your children (John 1:12) with an eternal blessing of joy and peace in heaven where there will be no tears and no pain. He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. Nor shall there be mourning or crying or pain any longer, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Thank You for the opportunity to bless You by fighting battles for Your honor. Judah marched out leading Isra’el (Numbers 2:9). Judah also led his brothers in the very emotional battle over Benjamin (Genesis 44:18-34).

You have granted us the wonderful joy and privilege of showing our love for You by what choices we make as we fight battles for You. There are many battles in this life. The time battle calls for my attention to do x, y, and z, all in a short time. The money battle begs for resources to care for family and future. The emotional battle tries to sort out what is important to do and how to best handle the many problems that come my way. Praise You that when Your children run to You, You are always right there with us, helping and guiding (Psalm 139; Hebrews 13:5).

In your graciousness, You have promised rewards for your children (John 1:12, Romans 10:9-10) as they serve You, based on their heart attitude.  Now he who plants and he who waters work as one, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor . . . let each consider carefully how he builds on it.  For no one can lay any other foundation than what is already laid – which is Yeshua the Messiah.  Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear. For the Day will show it, because it is to be revealed by fire; and the fire itself will test each one’s work – what sort it is (First Corinthians 3:8, 10c-13). Whatever the reward might be, it will be a joy to lay it at Your feet in worship of you (Revelation 4:10). The reward of pleasing you is the greatest reward! It is a joy and a privilege to fight earthly battles for You. Thank You for the times of trials and problems in my life; for though they are not pleasant, they allow me to turn to you for Your help and to glorify You in my choices. I rejoice in serving You – in good times and in hard times. I love You! In Yeshua’s holy name and His power of resurrection. Amen