Concerning Zebulun he said: "Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar, in your tents. Sermons
I. TWO FORMS OF THE BLESSING OF THE ALMIGHTY. 1. Commerce. 2. Agriculture (ver. 18). Note: 1. Some are fitted for one kind of life, some for another. Varieties of disposition and talent. Variety of situation, giving scope for innate gifts. Divine providence, as here in allotment of the tribes, fits the one to the other. 2. God's blessing is needed in one kind of life as well as in another. Neither in commerce nor in agriculture can that blessing be dispensed with. It may rest on us in both, both being legitimate lines of human activity. It is in both equally efficacious. 3. Prosperity flowing to us from God's blessing is a just cause for rejoicing. Unblessed prosperity is not to be rejoiced in, but prosperity with God's blessing attending it is riches indeed. II. WEALTH DERIVED FROM GOD'S BLESSING IS TO BE SANCTIFIED TO HIS GLORY. (Ver. 19.) 1. The nations are to be invited to share the blessing. Note here: Commercial nations have peculiar opportunities for being missionary nations. Cosmopolitan in spirit. Come in contact with many nationalities. Usually possess the means. The preaching of Christ was largely in the region of Zebulun and Issachar, ourselves, and duty of consecrating wealth to missionary enterprise. 2. Sacrifices of righteousness are to be offered in: (1) recognition of God's gift; (2) dedication of wealth to God's service; (3) personal surrender of the offerer to God. - J.O. Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out. I. THE DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES AND OCCUPATIONS IN WHICH MEN ARE PLACED. It is owing to God's directing the inclinations of men that some are fond of the country and some of the town; that some love the noise and bustle of cities and seaports, the fatigue and hazard of navigation and travelling; while others prefer the retiredness and silence of the country. Some choose to dwell with Zebulun at the haven for ships; others with Issachar in the tents of the country, among the bleatings of the flocks. Nor is this different choice entirely owing to education and habit, since it is frequently seen that young people choose a different occupation from their fathers; and some are uneasy till they have changed that to which they were brought up. This diversity of inclination is by appointment and influence of God, the supreme sovereign of every community. Further, His hand is to be owned and adored in giving men ability and skill to pursue their several occupations, in giving them the use of their limbs and senses, health of body, and capacities of mind. II. THE DUTIES INCUMBENT UPON MEN, HOWEVER DIFFERENT THEIR OCCUPATIONS BE. 1. To be content and cheerful with their lot and calling. Every calling hath its conveniences and inconveniences. A dislike to the business to which a man hath been brought up generally ariseth from pride, ignorance, or an inordinate love of wealth or ease; and if the discontented person were to have his wish, and change with the person he envies, in all probability he would repent it speedily, and wish he had continued as he was. But prudence, diligence, and good economy will gradually lessen the difficulties of any employment, and piety and humility reconcile the mind to them. We are to guard against that excessive application, hurry, and fatigue, on the one hand, which men of ambitious and covetous spirits impose upon themselves, so that they can have no real pleasure in the enjoyment of life. On the other hand, we are to guard against a trifling, indolent, extravagant disposition, by which men first lose their trade, and then complain of the deadness or unprofitableness of it. 2. To make religion their chief business and greatest concern. Those who pretend that they cannot find time for religion can find time for pleasure, and spend more in unnecessary sleep, idle chat with their neighbours, or other amusements than would be necessary for the acts of religious worship, secret and social. Where a person's disposition is serious and spiritual, and when his great aim is to please God and save his soul, there will be no difficulty at all to find time for religion. 3. To endeavour to promote religion in others. Thus it is said in the text, "They," that is both Zebulun and Issachar, "shall call the people to the mountain"; to the house of God, which Moses foresaw, by a spirit of prophecy, would be built upon a mountain. The tribes spoken of in the text, though their employments were so different, were to unite in promoting the interests of religion. Thus, though Christ hath appointed pastors and teachers in His Church, yet it is the duty of every one of His disciples to "do good to all men" as they "have opportunity," to "seek the things of Jesus Christ," and to "exhort one another daily." Let merchants and tradesmen, then, improve their commerce to spread the knowledge of God and religion, and to promote piety, justice, and charity. Let farmers improve their business and connections with others to the same good purpose. Let those of you whose labours God hath prospered honour the Lord with your substance, and cheerfully concur in any good design for promoting the happiness of all around you, supplying the needy, and relieving the afflicted; and thus, according to that expression of the prophet, "consecrate your gain unto the Lord and your substance unto the Lord of the whole earth" (Micah 4:13). But the great thing you are to be solicitous about is to promote the salvation of one another's souls. () The blessings of the tribes are ours, for we are the true Israel who worship God in the spirit, and have no confidence in the flesh. Zebulun is to rejoice because Jehovah will bless his "going out"; we also see a promise for ourselves lying latent in this benediction. When we go out we will look out for occasions of joy. We go out to travel, and the providence of God is our convoy. We go out to emigrate, and the Lord is with us both on land and sea. We go out as missionaries, and Jesus saith, "Lo, I am with you unto the end of the world." We go out day by day to our labour, and we may do so with pleasure, for God will be with us from morn till eve. A fear sometimes creeps over us when starting, for we know not what we may meet with; but this blessing may serve us right well as a word of good cheer. As we pack up for moving, let us put this verse into our travelling trunk; let us drop it into our hearts, and keep it there; yea, let us lay it on our tongue to make us sing. Let us weigh anchor with a song, and jump into the carriage with a psalm. Let us belong to the rejoicing tribe, and in our every movement praise the Lord with joyful hearts. () Two tribes are joined together in this common blessing and prediction; and there was a long-established reason for close community of interest between them. Their ancestors were sons of the same mother, Leah, and were born, in close succession of time, under circumstances which made it almost inevitable that, as they grew up, they should form a little group by themselves. Yet the two brothers were far from being alike. Both in character and in personal appearance they presented contrasts that were strongly marked. The Rabbinical traditions on these points simply confirm the hints which we gather from Scripture, and which lead us to picture Issachar as a large made, heavy, and sluggish man, not over bright in intellect, but honest, good-natured, and full of plodding industry; whilst Zebulun is distinctly mentioned as one of the five "men of activity" whom Joseph selected from among his brethren and brought before Pharaoh, to give the best possible idea of their intelligence and cleverness. Issachar was the elder, yet Zebulun is almost invariably named before him: a clear sign that the younger had taken precedence of the elder by virtue of his natural superiority in energy. The characters of Zebulun and of Issachar seem in many respects to have been complementary, and, with the wisdom which springs from true affection, they seem to have made all their possessions and resources complementary also, holding their lots in Canaan as a sort of partnership estate, by which each should be benefited alike. Zebulun gave himself mainly to the exciting tasks for which his adventurous nature fitted him, and sought to win the harvests of that capricious field, the broad salt sea. Issachar, more stolid by his tastes, held contentedly by the tamer toils of one who tills the bosom of mother earth; but both brothers rejoiced in common over the gains of each, and each grew richer because his labour and his chosen employment nourished the other's store. This idea is concealed in the "parallelism" of verse 18, which, in its poetic way, describes the united life of the two linked tribes in the mutually helpful aspects of work and rest; and, lest any superficial reader should imagine that one tribe was to monopolise active toils and the other the comforts procured thereby, the next verse significantly mingles both sides of the common picture, saying, "they," i.e. both of them and all of them, without distinction of private property or of original right to the gains — "they shall stink of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hidden in the sand." Thus also it ought to be with Christian brethren in their handling of the diverse opportunities and gifts which God may have severally bestowed. True Christian count it a holy duty to combine their talents; and when gain accrues from their united efforts they rejoice together, and no one member grudges another his praise or his honour in the result, even though he himself has no share therein.()
People Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Israelites, Issachar, Jacob, Joseph, Levi, Manasseh, Moses, Naphtali, Reuben, Seir, ZebulunPlaces Bashan, Massah, Meribah, Moab, Mount Paran, Seir, SinaiTopics Forth, Glad, Issachar, Is'sachar, O, Rejoice, Tents, Zebulun, Zeb'ulunOutline 1. The majesty of God 6. The blessings of the twelve tribes 26. The excellence of Israel
Dictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 33:1-29 8638 benedictions Deuteronomy 33:18-19 4360 sand Library Israel the Beloved 'The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between His shoulders.'--DEUT. xxxiii. 12. Benjamin was his father's favourite child, and the imagery of this promise is throughout drawn from the relations between such a child and its father. So far as the future history of the tribes is shadowed in these 'blessings' of this great ode, the reference of the text may be to the tribe of Benjamin, as specially distinguished by Saul … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureShod for the Road 'Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.' DEUT. xxxiii. 25. There is a general correspondence between those blessings wherewith Moses blessed the tribes of Israel before his death, and the circumstances and territory of each tribe in the promised land. The portion of Asher, in whose blessing the words of our text occurs, was partly the rocky northern coast and partly the fertile lands stretching to the base of the Lebanon. In the inland part of their territory … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture God and his Saints 'He loved the people; all His saints are in Thy hand: and they sat down at Thy feet; every one shall receive of Thy words.'--DEUT. xxxiii. 3. The great ode of which these words are a part is called 'the blessing wherewith Moses blessed the children of Israel before his death.' It is mainly an invocation of blessing from Heaven on the various tribes, but it begins, as the national existence of Israel began, with the revelation of God on Sinai, and it lays that as the foundation of everything. It … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Shoes of Iron, and Strength Sufficient: a New Year's Promise "And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil. Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be."--Deuteronomy 33:24-25. I once heard an old minister say that he thought the blessing of Asher was peculiarly the blessing of ministers; and his eyes twinkled as he added, "At any rate, they are usually blessed with children, and it is a great blessing for them if they are acceptable to their … Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 35: 1889 "As Thy Days, So Shall Thy Strength Be" In addressing you this morning, I shall first have to notice the self-weakness which is implied in our text; secondly, I shall come to the great promise of the text; and then I shall try and draw one or two inferences from it, ere I conclude. I. First, the SELF-WEAKNESS HINTED AT IN THE TEXT. To keep to my figure, if this promise be like a star, you know there is no seeing the stars in the daytime when we stand here upon the upper land; we must go down a deep well, and then we shall be able to discover … Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858 2D Day. Needful Grace. "He is Faithful that Promised." "As thy days, so shall thy strength be."--DEUT. xxxiii. 25. Needful Grace. God does not give grace till the hour of trial comes. But when it does come, the amount of grace, and the nature of the special grace required is vouchsafed. My soul, do not dwell with painful apprehension on the future. Do not anticipate coming sorrows; perplexing thyself with the grace needed for future emergencies; to-morrow will bring its promised grace along with to-morrow's trials. … John Ross Macduff—The Faithful Promiser Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy. The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it … John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Within what Tribe the Lake of Gennesaret Was. By comparing the maps with the Talmudic writers, this question ariseth: for there is not one among them, as far as I know, which does not altogether define the sea of Gennesaret to be without the tribe of Naphthali; but the Talmudists do most plainly place it within. "The Rabbins deliver: The sea of Tiberias is in the portion of Naphtali; yea, it takes a full line for the nets on the south side of it: as it is said, 'Possess the sea and the south,' Deuteronomy 33:23." The Gloss is; "(Naphtali) had … John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica 1872 the Need of a Home Further West --Burning of the Marchmont Home --Home Restored by Canadian Gifts --Miss Macpherson and Miss Reavell Arrive in Canada The need of a Home further West--Burning of the Marchmont Home--Home restored by Canadian gifts--Miss Macpherson and Miss Reavell arrive in Canada--First visit to Knowlton in the East--Belleville Home restored by Canadian friends--Help for the Galt Home--Miss Macpherson returns to England--Miss Reavell remains at Galt. In her first letter on returning to England Miss Macpherson writes:-- "BELOVED FELLOW-WORKERS,--Once more at home among the old familiar scenes in the East of London, the sadness … Clara M. S. Lowe—God's Answers Second Part Aphrahat the Persian Sage. 1. Name of Author of Demonstrations long Unknown.--The author of the Demonstrations, eight of which appear (for the first time in an English version) in the present volume, has a singular literary history. By nationality a Persian, in an age when Zoroastrianism was the religion of Persia, he wrote in Syriac as a Christian theologian. His writings, now known to us as the works of Aphrahat, were remembered, cited, translated, and transcribed for at least two centuries … Ephraim the Syrian—Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian With Israel's God who Can Compare? … John Newton—Olney Hymns On Deut. xxxiii. Ii On Deut. xxxiii. II Hippolytus, the expositor of the Targum, has said that Moses, when he had finished this prophecy, also pronounced a blessing upon all the children of Israel, by their several tribes, and prayed for them. Then God charged Moses, saying to him, Go up to Mount Nebo, which indeed is known by the name of the mount of the Hebrews, which is in the land of Moab over against Jericho. And He said to him: View the land of Chanaan, which I am to give to the children of Israel for an inheritance. … Hippolytus—The Extant Works and Fragments of Hippolytus The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly WE shall consider, first, what things work for good to the godly; and here we shall show that both the best things and the worst things work for their good. We begin with the best things. 1. God's attributes work for good to the godly. (1). God's power works for good. It is a glorious power (Col. i. 11), and it is engaged for the good of the elect. God's power works for good, in supporting us in trouble. "Underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deut. xxxiii. 27). What upheld Daniel in the lion's den? … Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial Subterraneous Places. Mines. Caves. Thus having taken some notice of the superficies of the land, let us a little search into its bowels. You may divide the subterraneous country into three parts: the metal mines, the caves, and the places of burial. This land was eminently noted for metal mines, so that "its stones," in very many places, "were iron, and out of its hills was digged brass," Deuteronomy 8:9. From these gain accrued to the Jews: but to the Christians, not seldom slavery and misery; being frequently condemned hither by … John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Wesley's Hymns Reconsidered Bernard Manning A paper read before the Cambridge University Methodist Society on February 9, 1939. SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE, sometime Scholar of Jesus College in the University of Cambridge, once wrote some ingenious verses {Metrical Feet: Lesson for a Boy.} to help his sons to remember the chief sorts of metre. If Coleridge had been a Methodist instead of a pilgrim from Anglicanism to Unitarianism and back again, he would have needed to do no such thing: he would have needed only to advise his boys … Bernard L. Manning—The Hymns of Wesley and Watts: Five Papers The Covenant of an Everlasting Priesthood "That My covenant might be with Levi. My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared Me, and was afraid before My name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips; he walked with Me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity."--MAL. ii. 4-6. ISRAEL was meant by God to be a nation of priests. In the first making of the Covenant this was distinctly stipulated. "If ye will obey My voice, and keep My covenant, … Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of the Eleventh An unfinished commentary on the Bible, found among the author's papers after his death, in his own handwriting; and published in 1691, by Charles Doe, in a folio volume of the works of John Bunyan. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR Being in company with an enlightened society of Protestant dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully engaged with John Bunyan's commentary on Genesis. "What," … John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Manner of Covenanting. Previous to an examination of the manner of engaging in the exercise of Covenanting, the consideration of God's procedure towards his people while performing the service seems to claim regard. Of the manner in which the great Supreme as God acts, as well as of Himself, our knowledge is limited. Yet though even of the effects on creatures of His doings we know little, we have reason to rejoice that, in His word He has informed us, and in His providence illustrated by that word, he has given us to … John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Jesus Works his First Miracle at Cana in Galilee. ^D John II. 1-11. ^d 1 And the third day [From the calling of Philip (John i. 43). The days enumerated in John's first two chapters constitute a week, and may perhaps be intended as a contrast to the last week of Christ's ministry ( John xii. 1). It took two days to journey from the Jordan to Cana] there was a marriage [In Palestine the marriage ceremony usually began at twilight. The feast after the marriage was at the home of the bridegroom, and was sometimes prolonged for several days (Gen. xxix. … J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Adam's Sin Q-15: WHAT WAS THE SIN WHEREBY OUR FIRST PARENTS FELL FROM THE ESTATE WHEREIN THEY WERE CREATED? A: That sin was eating the forbidden fruit. 'She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also to her husband.' Gen 3:3. Here is implied, 1. That our first parents fell from their estate of innocence. 2. The sin by which they fell, was eating the forbidden fruit. I. Our first parents fell from their glorious state of innocence. God made man upright, but they have sought out many inventions.' Eccl … Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Mount Zion. "For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them: for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned; and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake: but ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto … Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews Notes on the Third Century Page 161. Line 1. He must be born again, &c. This is a compound citation from John iii. 3, and Mark x. 15, in the order named. Page 182. Line 17. For all things should work together, &c. See Romans viii. 28. Page 184. Lines 10-11. Being Satan is able, &c. 2 Corinthians xi. 14. Page 184. Last line. Like a sparrow, &c. Psalm cii. Page 187. Line 1. Mechanisms. This word is, in the original MS., mechanicismes.' Page 187. Line 7. Like the King's daughter, &c. Psalm xlv. 14. Page 188. Med. 39. The best … Thomas Traherne—Centuries of Meditations Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Text: Romans 13, 8-10. 8 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; love therefore is the fulfilment of the law. CHRISTIAN LOVE AND THE COMMAND TO LOVE. 1. This, like the two … Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Links Deuteronomy 33:18 NIV Deuteronomy 33:18 NLT Deuteronomy 33:18 ESV Deuteronomy 33:18 NASB Deuteronomy 33:18 KJV
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