Deuteronomy — Chapter 33

And this is the blessing wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel, before his death. Moses 'the man of God'—Lapide: this is Moses's sepulchral title and eulogy, embracing all else: friend of God, prophet, lawgiver, doctor, and prince of God's people. 'Great is the dignity of being a servant of the Lord of lords,' citing Ambrose: 'Religious servitude subject to God's word is far better than the freedom of the world.'

The Lord came from Sinai, and from Seir he rose up to us; he appeared from mount Pharan, and with him thousands of saints. Lapide explains three theophanies of the Exodus: (1) God gave the Law at Sinai; (2) at Seir (circumambulating Edom) He raised the brazen serpent (Num. 21), type of the Cross; (3) at Pharan He filled the seventy elders with His Spirit, type of Pentecost and the seventy disciples. St. Augustine: Sinai = temptation (of Christ's Passion); Seir = sinners (Gentiles illuminated by Christ); Pharan = fruitful Church of saints.

He hath loved the people, all the saints are in his hand: and they that approach to his feet, shall receive of his doctrine. The saints are 'in God's hand'—utterly dependent on and protected by Him. Those who draw near to God's feet (His humble, lowly presence) receive of His doctrine. Lapide applies this to the disciples of Christ, who sat at His feet to learn.

Moses commanded us a law, the inheritance of the multitude of Jacob. The Law is an inheritance—not a burden but a patrimony. Lapide: as an inheritance, it is to be treasured and handed on; its custodians are the Levitical priests in the Old Law, and in the New, the teaching Church.

Let Ruben live, and not die, and be few in number. Moses's blessing on Ruben: preservation despite diminishment. Lapide notes that Ruben lost the birthright through sin (Gen. 35:22) but is not excluded from the covenant. The blessing reflects God's mercy to the penitent.

Hear, O Lord, the voice of Juda, and bring him to his people. Juda's blessing: God hears his voice and leads him back to his people. Lapide: Juda is the kingly tribe from which Christ the eternal King is born; the blessing looks forward to the sceptre of David and ultimately to the Messiah.

To Levi also he said: Thy perfection and thy doctrine to thy holy man, whom thou hast proved in the temptation, and judged at the waters of contradiction. Levi's blessing recalls the test of Massah and Meribah. Lapide: 'Thy perfection and thy doctrine' (Thummim and Urim) are the instruments of priestly oracular discernment. The Levitical priesthood is ordained to guard and transmit the Law, offer sacrifice, and bless the people.

To Benjamin he said: The best beloved of the Lord shall dwell confidently in him: as in a bride chamber shall he dwell all the day long, and between his shoulders shall he rest. Benjamin's portion was Jerusalem, where the Temple was built. Lapide: 'between his shoulders' = on the heights of the Temple mount; and mystically, in the bosom of the Lord, in the repose of contemplation.

To Joseph also he said: Of the blessing of the Lord is his land, of the fruits of heaven, and of the dew, and of the deep that lieth beneath. Joseph's twofold tribe (Ephraim and Manasses) received the most abundant blessing of all—heaven's fruits, dew, subterranean waters, sun, moon, ancient mountains. This signified the pre-eminence of Joseph among the patriarchs, type of Christ sold by His brethren, exalted to save them.

There is no other God like the God of the righteous: he that rideth upon heaven is thy helper. The blessing of Israel ends with a doxology: God alone is incomparable; He rides upon the heavens as their ruler; He is the helper and shield of His people. Lapide: this verse affirms the absolute transcendence of God over all creation.

Blessed art thou, Israel: who is like to thee, O people, that art saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and the sword of thy glory? Thine enemies shall deny thee, and thou shalt tread upon their necks. Moses's final beatitude upon Israel: saved by the Lord, with God as shield and sword of glory. 'Thine enemies shall deny thee' (Hebrew: shall lie to thee)—the defeated shall feign submission. Lapide: spiritually, all the enemies of the Church shall ultimately bow before her; Christ is Israel's eternal glory.