What Will Be Said of You

"Of Levi he said, 'Let Your Thummim and Your Urim belong to Your godly man, whom You proved at Massah, with whom You contended at the waters of Meribah; who said of his father and his mother, 'I did not consider them'; and he did not acknowledge his brothers, nor did he regard his own sons,
For they observed Your word, and kept Your covenant. They shall teach Your ordinances to Jacob, and Your law to Israel. They shall put incense before You, and whole burnt offerings on Your altar. O Lord, bless his substance, and accept the work of his hands; shatter the loins of those who rise up against him, and those who hate him, so that they will not rise again." -Deuteronomy 33.8-11

Deuteronomy 33 records the blessings that Moses spoke over the tribes of Israel. Each of them is personal, just as they were when Jacob spoke blessings over each of his sons before his death. Of all them, the blessing spoken over the tribe of Levi stands out to me the most.

We see that their only focus was on the Word of God and remaining faithful to the covenant. It was the Levites who strapped their swords to their sides and went through the camp killing those who worshiped the Golden Calf (Exodus 32), purging the camp of idolatry. Because of their faithfulness they were honored with the calling of serving God as priests, and instructing the people in the teachings of God. They alone had the opportunity to serve in the worship of God by doing the work of the Tabernacle and later the Temple.

This blessing spoken by Moses was a personal blessing that was warranted by the faithful actions of the Levites in the wilderness. It leads me to ask this question: What blessing would I be given? What would be said of me?

Men, what would be said of you? If you were to be given a personal blessing what would it consist of?

Let us live in a manner that warrants a blessing of faithfulness. Let our only concern be for living faithfully before God.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Blessing

"Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the sons of Israel before his death." -Deuteronomy 33.1

Moses has led the people for forty years. He has taught them about God and instructed the people on how to live for Him. He is a beloved and respected leader. The Bible doesn't tell us this, but I'm guessing the people were at least a little apprehensive to enter the Promised Land without him. But Moses is a good leader, and he knows that he is not the point. He knows that God is in charge, and that God will continue to lead His people after he is gone. And so Moses does what a good leader does, he blesses the people.

A few months ago at church they finished a series on Genesis, and concluded with Jacob pronouncing blessings on his sons. The pastor ended the service by having people who had never received a blessing come forward and receive one. Receiving a blessing is a sign of affirmation and love. The pastor and two others pronounced blessing on the people at church. Jacob pronounced deeply personal blessings on his sons, and in Deuteronomy 33 Moses pronounces a personal blessing on the people of Israel.

Men, have you received a blessing in your life?

May God bless you and initiate you. May you know the strength that you have been created with and learn to use it in the service of God. May God bless you and help you live passionately from a heart of genuine strength. May you know that you are a man of God.

Have you pronounced blessing on others? Have you blessed your children?

Let us be men who bless others, speaking the truth of God into their lives. Let us build others up and encourage them to pursue the will of God. Let us bless others.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor