OceanSide church of Christ

Read devotionals for November 2024

December 1, 2024

Deuteronomy 33:6 – Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.

Thought: Reuben was Jacob’s firstborn son. This tribe should have been the pride of the nation. However, Reuben and his descendants did not always behave wisely. Reuben lay with Bilhah, Jacob’s concubine (Gen. 35:22). Korah and his cohorts who rebelled against Moses were from the tribe of Reuben (Num. 16:1-3). In the wilderness, the population of the tribe declined. Thus, Moses asks for the tribe to live, “and let not his men be few.”

Genesis 29:32

December 2, 2024

Deuteronomy 33:7 – And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah, and bring him to his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou an help to him from his enemies.

Thought: Judah would often lead the Israel into battle. The blessing is a call for success. “Let his hands be sufficient for him.” “Be thou an help to him from his enemies.” “Bring him to his people.” His success, however, depended upon his reliance upon God. Before he fought, he needed to cry to the Lord in prayer. If he did, Moses’ desire was expressed in the words: “Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah.” Judah’s battles would be won with the Lord not without Him.

Judges 1:1-4

December 3, 2024

Deuteronomy 33:8, 9 – And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.

Thought: The Levites were the priestly tribe of Israel. They were to minister to the things of the tabernacle and teach Israel God’s statutes. The high priest was “the holy one.” He consulted the Thummim and Urim regarding God’s will. Moses mentions how Israel had proven Aaron at both Massah and Meribah. The Levites often opposed their brethren when they disobeyed. They understood they were to observe God’s word and keep His covenant.

Exodus 32:26-29

December 4, 2024

Deuteronomy 33:10, 11 – They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar. Bless, Lord, his substance, and accept the work of his hands: smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again.

Thought: In these two verses, Moses continues to bless Levi, the priestly tribe. This tribe was to teach God’s statutes to the people. Too, they were to minister within the tabernacle (incense) and before the altar (whole burnt sacrifice). If the Levites were faithful to their duties, Moses desired for his substance to be blessed and his labor to be accepted. Too, he asked the Lord to smite those who hated him and rose up against him. He asked “that they rise not again.”

Exodus 30:7

December 5, 2024

Deuteronomy 33:12 – And of Benjamin he said, The Lord shall dwell safely by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.

Thought: Rachel gave two sons to Jacob, Joseph and Benjamin. Benjamin was born after Joseph was sold into slavery and was a beloved son to Jacob. The blessing to Benjamin is that the heavenly Father’s love would be with him. The Lord would be with Benjamin and would provide him constant protection. That which lies between the shoulders of a man is muscles of great strength. Benjamin, though the smallest tribe, would be strengthened by the Father.

Genesis 44:20

December 6, 2024

Deuteronomy 33:13 – And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the Lord be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath.

Thought: Joseph was the first son of Jacob by Rachel. His inheritance in Canaan was believed to be the most fertile of all. Prior to obtaining the land, Moses wishes a blessing upon his land’s productivity. The precious things of heaven involved the right aspects of the atmosphere such as the sunshine and rain. In a dry land, the dew of heaven was precious in the mornings. “The deep that coucheth beneath” involves an abundant supply of water by means of wells.

Genesis 49:22

December 7, 2024

Deuteronomy 33:14, 15 – And the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and the precious things put forth by the moon. And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills.

Thought: Moses’ blessing upon Joseph continues. The concept of productivity continues as well. The sun, the moon, the mountains, and the lasting hills all play an important role in the production of fruits and vegetables. Moses longs for all of them to bring forth abundantly for the tribe of Joseph. Remember, Joseph became two tribes, Ephraim and Manasseh. Thus, both of these tribes are the subjects of these words. Abundance brings prosperity.

Psalm 65:9-11

December 8, 2024

Deuteronomy 33:16 – And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelleth in the bush: let the blessing come upon Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.

Thought: The blessing pronounced upon Joseph continues. He wishes the “precious things of the earth,” “the good will of him that dwelleth in the bush,” and “blessing” upon this portion of Israel. It is interesting how the Holy Spirit can allude to prominent historical events in a few brief words. It was God who dwelled in the burning bush as He appeared unto Moses. And, Joseph “was separated from his brethren” many years to bring deliverance to his family.

Exodus 3:2-4

December 9, 2024

Deuteronomy 33:17 – His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.

Thought: A bull was prized among the Israelites. It was useful in agriculture and for sacrifice. When the firstling of a bull was born, the owner gloried therein. This same type of glory was wished upon Joseph in Moses’ blessing. He also longed for him to be strong and powerful, signified by the horns of the “unicorn,” that is, an ox. From Joseph, two tribes were formed. Ephraim became the largest in number among the ten tribes. Manasseh was also large tribe.

Numbers 23:22

December 10, 2024

Deuteronomy 33:18, 19 – And of Zebulon he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and Issachar, in thy tents. They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of the treasures hid in the sand.

Thought: Zebulun’s inheritance bordered upon the Sea of Galilee. Zebulun, therefore, received the blessing referring to as “the abundance of the seas, and the treasures hid in the sand.” Fishing, the harvesting of dye, and the production of glassware would bring her prosperity. Issachar, on the other hand, would be blessed by the land. This abundance would lead these tribes to worship God and offer sacrifices of righteousness upon the mountain of God.

Genesis 49:13-15

December 11, 2024

Deuteronomy 33:20 – And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.

Thought: Moses desired for the enlargement of the tribe of Gad. This enlargement was in the form of land on the east side of the Jordan river. This tribe would become the warring tribe. This is inherent in the concept of dwelling as a lion. His military prowess would be great. His wisdom in war would allow him to “tear the arm” of enemies. This would inhibit their ability to fight. In the history of Israel, we will find Gad being called upon to assist in battle.

1 Chronicles 12:8