Deuteronômio 33
G. Campbell Morgan · Citado em PreceptAustin
Deuteronômio 33
Morgan - My All in All) Thou art our Morning and our Sun, Our work is glad, in Thee begun; Our foot worn path is fresh with dew, For Thou createst all things new. —Lucy Larcom, 1892 Dwelling Safely Apart - - Faith's Checkbook - C H Spurgeon “Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine, also his heavens shall drop down dew.”—Deuteronomy 33:28 THE more we dwell alone, the more safe shall we be. God would have His people separate from sinners. His call to them is, “Come ye out from among them.” A Christian world is such a monstrosity as the Scriptures never contemplate. A worldly Christian is spiritually diseased. Those who compromise with Christ’s enemies may be reckoned with them. Our safety lies not in making terms with the enemy, but in dwelling alone with our best Friend. If we do this, we shall dwell in safety, despite the sarcasms, the slanders, and the sneers of the world. We shall be safe from the baleful influence of its unbelief, its pride, its vanity, its filthiness. God also will make us dwell in safety alone in that day when sin shall be visited on the nations by wars and famines. The Lord brought Abram from Ur of the Chaldees, but he stopped halfway. He had no blessing till, having set out to go to the land of Canaan, to the land of Canaan he came. He was safe alone even in the midst of foes. Lot was not safe in Sodom though in a circle of friends. Our safety is in dwelling apart with God. Deuteronomy 33:29 "Blessed are you, O Israel; Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, Who is the shield of your help And the sword of your majesty! So your enemies will cringe before you, And you will tread upon their high places." Blessed are you: De 4:7-8 Nu 23:20-24 24:5 2Sa 7:23 Ps 33:12 144:15 saved: Isa 12:2 45:17 1Ti 4:10 the shield: Ge 15:1 Ps 84:11 115:9-11 the sword: Jdg 7:20 Ps 7:12 45:3 Isa 27:1 34:5,6 Jer 12:12 47:6 Rev 1:16 Rev 19:21 your enemies will cringe before you, 2Sa 22:45 Ps 18:44 66:3 81:15 *margins you will tread upon their high places: De 32:13 Jos 10:24,25 Hab 3:19 Related Passages: Deuteronomy 4:7-8+ “For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him? 8 “Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today? Numbers 23:20+ “Behold, I have received a command to bless; When He has blessed, then I cannot revoke it. WHO IS LIKE ISRAEL? Blessed are you, O Israel; Who is like you, a people saved (yasha') by the LORD - This is like a ray of sunlight piercing the dark clouds of Israel's stubborn disobedience, as Moses gives them a ray of sure hope that God will finish what He began when He delivered them from Egyptian bondage, birthed a nation and made them His "wife" at Mount Sinai (See Excursus on Yahweh as Husband of Israel). Israel was saved not to die, but to live forever. (see Dt 4:32-40+). Merrill - Salvation in the past provides confidence for the present, for the God who redeemed is the Shield, Helper (cf. v. 26), and Sword of Israel. He not only provides these things but in himself he embodies them (cf. Ps 115:9–11). The future was, therefore, bright as well. On the eve of conquest it was assuring to know that Yahweh, the Divine Warrior (cf. v. 27), would lead his elect nation to victory. Their enemies would submit to them, and they would tread upon the high places of their foes (v. 29b, c). (New American Commentary) Blessed (0835) ('esher/'eser related to the verb 'ashar = to go or be straight, to go on, to advance, to be right) and always refers to people but never to God. Vine writes that "Basically, this word connotes the state of “prosperity” or “happiness” that comes when a superior bestows his favor (blessing) on one. In most passages, the one bestowing favor is God Himself = Dt. 33:29. The state that the blessed one enjoys does not always appear to be “happy” = (Job 5:17-18). Eliphaz was not describing Job’s condition as a happy one; it was “blessed,” however, inasmuch as God was concerned about him. Because it was a blessed state and the outcome would be good, Job was expected to laugh at his adversity (Job 5:22). God is not always the one who makes one “blessed.” = 1Ki 10:8." Who is the Shield (magen) of your help (see 'ezer; Lxx - boethos) and the Sword of your majesty (of your triumph - ESV)! - "Your protective shield and your exalted sword." (Dt 33:29NET) Yahweh Himself is their Shield and their Sword, the Defender and the Warrior of His chosen people Israel! So your enemies will cringe (come fawning - ESV) before you - The conclusion ("so") is that Israel's enemies will ultimately be fully and forever defeated with the help of the Sword of Yahweh. Cringe (03584) kachash means to disappoint, to deceive, to fail, to lie, to deny (of Sarah's denial - Ge 18:15). To not tell the truth by speaking lies (Ge 18:15). To cringe or cower, bowing in fearful submission (feigned obedience Ps 66:3, Ps 81:15), not out of a sense of respect and this sense is an extension of lying or not being truthful in the relationship (Dt 33:29, 2Sa 22:45). And you will tread upon their high places - "you shall tread upon their backs." (Dt 33:29ESV) The Septuagint has trachelos for high places, which depicts the conquering nation of Israel with their feet triumphantly on the necks of their enemies! THOUGHT - There could also be a play on words here for high places (bamah) was the name of the places the pagans practiced their many abominable idolatries. Even Israel's better kings failed to clear the nation of these high places, but one day in the future the King of kings will utterly and forever destroy these heinous high places! Do you have any "high places" that you have failed to annihilate? If so rest assured they will continue to be a snare and thorn in your side until enabled by the Spirit you finally and fully remove them (cf Ro 8:13+)! Merrill - This last figure is that of a conqueror who places his foot upon his vanquished and fallen adversary as a sign of absolute dominion (cf. Gen 49:8; Josh 10:24). The verb “trample” (Heb. dārak) occurs frequently to speak of the exercise of sovereignty over peoples and lands or even over nature itself (Deut 1:36; 11:24–25; Josh 1:3; 14:9; Amos 4:13; Mic 1:3; 5:4; Hab 3:15; cf. Job 1:7; 2:2). In light of the combination of conquest and dominion, it is better to understand bāmôt not as “high places” but as “backs,” a rendering supported by comparative Semitic lexicography (cf. Ug. bmt, Akk. bāmtu; KB, 132).39 The mythopoeic language of the passage as a whole (cf. v. 26) favors this view as does the parallelism of cringing (“cower”; Heb. kāḥaš) and trampling on the back. (New American Commentary) High places (01116) bamah Six activities seem to be related to high places -- burning of incense, sacrificing, eating of sacrificial meals, praying, prostitution, child sacrifice (cf. bama in the valley, Je7:31). The first use in Lev 26:30 is God's declaration to Israel "I will destroy your high places." In Dt 32:13 speaking of Jacob (Israel) He declared "He made him ride on the high places of the earth," so clearly some uses of bamah are not negative. In a similar use God says Israel "you will tread upon their (Israel's enemies') high places." Another positive use is Psalm 18:33 where David declared Jehovah "makes my feet like hinds' feet, And sets me upon my high places." (cp Hab 3:19 -NET NOTE = David "compares his agility in battle to the ability of a deer to negotiate rugged, high terrain without falling or being injured.", cp Isa 58:14) We see he effect of Israel's high places on Jehovah in Ps 78:58 = "For they provoked Him with their high places and aroused His jealousy with their graven images." A sad phrase that is repeated again and again (speaking of Israel) is "the high places were not taken away" (1Ki 15:14, 2Chr 15:17 = King Asa but notice he did remove some of them - 2Chr 14:3, 5, 1Ki 22:43, 2Chr 20:33 = King Jehoshaphat, 2Ki 12:3 = King Jehoash, 2Ki 14:4 = King Amaziah, 2Ki 15:4 = King Azariah, 2Ki 15:35 = King Jotham son of Uzziah and look what his son did in 2Ki 16:1-4!, 2Chr 20:33). In many of these passages the context was of a king doing "spiritual house cleaning" so to speak and yet still failing to remove the high places. Isn't sin that way? We confess one or two sins but we have a little pet sin (better a "venomous viper") that we just don't have the heart to kill! God grant us spiritual eyes and hearts to learn from Israel's mistakes. Amen! Some kings like Hezekiah (1Ki 18:4, 2Chr 31:1, Isa 36:7) and Josiah (2Ki 23:4,8, 13, 15, 19-20, 2Chr 34:3 cp prophecy about Josiah 300 years earlier = 1Ki 13:2) did destroy the high places, but in Hezekiah's case his own son Manasseh rebuilt them (2Ki 21:1-2, 3, 2Chr 33:3) and in Josiah's case the people rebuilt them! We see the spiritual effect of high places on the people when King Jehoram (2Chr 21:5-10) "made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot and led Judah astray." (2Chr 21:11) One of the most incredible (and saddest) verses in the OT (in my opinion) is "Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable idol of Moab, on the mountain which is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the detestable idol of the sons of Ammon." (1Ki 11:7, cp 1Ki 3:3 = Solomon had "half a heart" for God!) This was too much for Jehovah and He declared that the 12 tribes would be split as a result of Solomon's sin! Sin is costly. You may think you are getting away with it, but you are not! You may think you are the wisest man in the world (like Solomon) but you are really the most foolish (as Solomon was)! There was one high place that was not idolatrous (at least not at the outset) - "Then Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place which was at Gibeon; for God's tent of meeting was there, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness." (2Chr 1:3, cp 1Chr 16:39-40, 21:29). Deuteronomy 33:29 Over Jordan with Singing - Faith's Checkbook- C H Spurgeon “Thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee.” —Deuteronomy 33:29 THAT arch-enemy, the devil, is a liar from the beginning; but he is so very plausible that, like mother Eve, we are led to believe him. Yet in our experience we shall prove him a liar. He says that we shall fall from grace, dishonor our profession, and perish with the doom of apostates; but, trusting in the Lord Jesus, we shall hold on our way and prove that Jesus loses none whom His Father gave Him. He tells us that our bread will fail, and we shall starve with our children; yet the Feeder of the ravens has not forgotten us yet, and He will never do so, but will prepare us a table in the presence of our enemies. He whispers that the Lord will not deliver us out of the trial which is looming in the distance, and he threatens that the last ounce will break the camel’s back. What a liar he is! For the Lord will never leave us, nor forsake us. “Let him deliver him now!” cries the false fiend: but the Lord will silence him by coming to our rescue. He takes great delight in telling us that death will prove too much for us. “How wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?” But there also he shall prove a liar unto us, and we shall pass through the river singing psalms of glory. Morning and Evening - C H Spurgeon Deuteronomy 33:29a “Happy art thou, O Israel; who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord!” — Deuteronomy 33:29 ( He who affirms that Christianity makes men miserable, is himself an utter stranger to it. It were strange indeed, if it made us wretched, for see to what a position it exalts us! It makes us sons of God. Suppose you that God will give all the happiness to his enemies, and reserve all the mourning for his own family? Shall his foes have mirth and joy, and shall his home-born children inherit sorrow and wretchedness? Shall the sinner, who has no part in Christ, call himself rich in happiness, and shall we go mourning as if we were penniless beggars? No, we will rejoice in the Lord always, and glory in our inheritance, for we “have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but we have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” The rod of chastisement must rest upon us in our measure, but it worketh for us the comfortable fruits of righteousness; and therefore by the aid of the divine Comforter, we, the “people saved of the Lord,” will joy in the God of our salvation. We are married unto Christ; and shall our great Bridegroom permit his spouse to linger in constant grief? Our hearts are knit unto him: we are his members, and though for awhile we may suffer as our Head once suffered, yet we are even now blessed with heavenly blessings in him. We have the earnest of our inheritance in the comforts of the Spirit, which are neither few nor small. Inheritors of joy for ever, we have foretastes of our portion. There are streaks of the light of joy to herald our eternal sunrising. Our riches are beyond the sea; our city with firm foundations lies on the other side the river; gleams of glory from the spirit-world cheer our hearts, and urge us onward. Truly is it said of us, “Happy art thou, O Israel; who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord?”
Deuteronômio 33
Morgan - Leaning - From This Verse I grew up in the Appalachian Mountains, in a church that loved the old hymns and gospel songs. Among our favorites was this one, based on Deuteronomy 33:27: What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the everlasting arms; What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the everlasting arms. I only recently learned the simple story behind the song. A. J. Showalter was a professor of music with a deep love for hymnology and an even deeper love for his students. He frequently kept up with his pupils for years afterward, writing letters of comfort and counsel. One evening in 1887, he was in Hartselle, Alabama, leading a singing school in a local church. He dismissed his students for the evening, collected his precious hymnbooks, and returned to his boardinghouse. Two letters had arrived, both from former pupils. Each of the young men was heartbroken, having just lost his wife. Professor Showalter went to the Bible, looking for a verse to comfort them. He selected Deuteronomy 33:27—“The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms. … ” As he pondered that verse, these words came to mind: Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the everlasting arms. He scribbled replies to his bereaved friends, then reached for another piece of paper. He wrote to hymnist Elisha Hoffman. “Here is the chorus for a good hymn from Deuteronomy 33:27, ” his letter said in gist, “but I can’t come up with any verses.” Hoffman wrote three stanzas, sent them back, Showalter set it all to music, and ever since, these words have cheered us in our adversity: What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms. I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms. The Everlasting Arms Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. In these days of jet travel, when we can cruise at altitudes of over 30,000 feet, flying can be most enjoyable as we wing our way above the storms and the turbulence of lower altitudes. Occasionally, however, some rough air is still experienced, and in those moments how reassuring it is to see the plane's wings out-stretched like two huge arms bearing us up. Recently, while flying from Atlanta to Chicago, we passed through some choppy air. As I looked out upon the giant silver wings of the jet, I was reminded of the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 33:27: "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." What a comfort it is for the true Christian to have such an assurance in the storms of life! When the bottom seems to fall out of living, how encouraging is the realization that the eternal God is bearing us up and will give sustaining grace for every trial. When Joseph was sold by his brethren into Egypt, it must have seemed to him the end of everything worthwhile in life; and yet the everlasting arms of God bore him up into a place of prominence and blessing. When Daniel was cast into the den of lions it seemed as though death was certain; yet even in that tragic situation he discovered that "the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him" (Ps. 34:7). Many Christians can testify from personal experience that those very circumstances of life which seemed to be most threatening were used by God to bring about increased blessing, greater joy, and more effective service. Are you disturbed today by the trials of life? Is the air a little "choppy"? Are you experiencing some "turbulence"? Then just rest, relax, and trust in the Lord and you too will feel the strengthening resources of His power and know beyond a shadow of doubt that "underneath are the everlasting arms." Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, Leaning on the everlasting arms; Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, Leaning on the everlasting arms. —E. A. Hoffman You can't break God's promises by leaning on them! The Best Is Yet to Come The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27 Today's Scripture & Insight: Deuteronomy 34:1–12 Are the best days of your life behind or in front of you? Our outlook on life—and our answer to that question—can change with time. When we’re younger, we look ahead, wanting to grow up. And once we’ve grown older, we yearn for the past, wanting to be young again. But when we walk with God, whatever our age, the best is yet to come! Over the course of his long life, Moses witnessed the amazing things God did, and many of those amazing things happened when he was no longer a young man. Moses was 80 years old when he confronted Pharaoh and saw God miraculously set His people free from slavery (Ex. 3–13). Moses saw the Red Sea part, saw manna fall from heaven, and even spoke with God “face to face” (14:21; 16:4; 33:11). Throughout his life, Moses lived expectantly, looking ahead to what God would do (Heb. 11:24–27). He was 120 years old in his final year of life on this earth, and even then he understood that his life with God was just getting started and that he would never see an end to God’s greatness and love. O Lord my God, I praise You for all You have done in the past. I look forward with thankfulness for all You will do in the future. And I thank You for today and all Your blessings. When we walk with God, the best is yet to come. A 19-Mile Fall Underneath are the everlasting arms. — Deuteronomy 33:27 Today's Scripture: Deuteronomy 33:26-29 On August 27, 1960, US Air Force Captain Joseph Kittinger Jr. sat in a gondola suspended from a high-altitude balloon. When the balloon reached 102,800 feet above the surface of Earth (more than 19 miles), Kittinger jumped out. Four minutes and 36 seconds later his main parachute opened at 18,000 feet, but not before he had attained a velocity of 614 miles per hour! Kittinger carefully planned his record-setting descent. In the spiritual realm, we’re more likely to find that life is filled with unexpected free falls. The loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, or a terminated job can make us feel as if we’re dropping into the unknown. For believers, there is a spiritual “parachute”—the loving arms of God. Thousands of years ago, Moses wrote these words to the Israelites just before he died: “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33:27). The words “everlasting arms” refer to the protection and preservation of God’s people. Despite the stressful circumstances they would surely face, they could rest in the assurance of God’s watchful care. O the sweet unfailing refuge Of the everlasting arms; In their loving clasp enfolded Nothing worries or alarms. —Hennessay With God behind you and His arms beneath you, you can face whatever lies ahead of you. Free-Falling The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. — Deuteronomy 33:27 Today's Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:1-14 In the tender song of Moses found in today’s Bible reading, God is portrayed as a dedicated mother eagle who can be trusted by her young, even in the scary experience of their learning to fly (Deuteronomy 32:11-12). A mother eagle builds a comfortable nest for her young, padding it with feathers from her own breast. But the God-given instinct that builds that secure nest also forces the eaglets out of it before long. Eagles are made to fly, and the mother eagle will not fail to teach them. Only then will they become what they are meant to be. So one day the mother eagle will disturb the twigs of the nest, making it an uncomfortable place to stay. Then she will pick up a perplexed eaglet, soar into the sky, and drop it. The little bird will begin to free-fall. Where is Mama now? She is not far away. Quickly she will swoop under and catch the fledgling on one strong wing. She will repeat this exercise until each eaglet is capable of flying on its own. He will ever keep your soul, What would harm, He will control; In the home and by the way He will keep you day by day. —Psalter God's love does not keep us from trials but sees us through them. The Fear Of Falling The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. — Deuteronomy 33:27 Today's Scripture: Psalm 46 Have you ever dreamed that you were falling out of bed or from some great height, and you awoke in fright? I remember that as a boy I would often be awakened by such a terrifying feeling. I heard about a man who had this sensation as soon as he slipped into sleep. He was so rudely awakened by his sense of falling that he was afraid to go back to sleep. He feared he would die, and he imagined he was falling into a bottomless pit. Then one evening as he was strolling through a cemetery, he saw this phrase engraved on a tombstone: Underneath Are The Everlasting Arms These words reminded him that when believers die, they are safely carried by the Lord to their home in heaven. He recalled the assurance of the psalmist, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me” (Ps. 23:4). I can trust my loving Savior When I fear the world’s alarms; There’s no safer place of resting Than His everlasting arms. —Hess You can trust God in the dark as well as in the light. Deuteronomy 33:27 A Stroll With God Etty Hillesum was a young Jewish woman living in Amsterdam in 1942. During that time, the Nazis were arresting Jews and herding them off to concentration camps. As she awaited inevitable arrest, and with a fear of the unknown, she began to read the Bible—and met Jesus. She simply put her hand in God’s hand and found rare courage and confidence. Etty wrote in her diary: “From all sides our destruction creeps up on us and soon the ring will be closed and no one at all will be able to come to our aid. But I don’t feel that I am in anybody’s clutches. I feel safe in God’s arms. And whether I am sitting at my beloved old desk in the Jewish district or in a labor camp under SS guards, I shall feel safe in God’s arms. For once you have begun to walk with God, you need only keep on walking with Him, and all of life becomes one long stroll.” Etty was a living, courageous picture of the psalmist’s declaration: “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You… What can flesh do to me?” (56:3-4). What a challenge for anyone plagued by fear! I never walk alone, Christ walks beside me, He is the dearest Friend I've ever known; With such a Friend to comfort and to guide me, I never, no, I never walk alone. —Ackley © 1952 The Rodeheaver Company You can be confident about tomorrow if you walk with God today. Deuteronomy 33:27a Fall Into His Arms "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deuteronomy 33:27 As I was reading the words of today’s text from Deuteronomy, I recalled an old song written by Ada Habershon. “When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast; when the tempter would prevail, He can hold me fast.” Say, that’s good theology! A lady who was facing difficult trials and troubling circumstances came to W. B. Hinson at the close of a sermon and said, “I’m very much afraid I might fall.” Hinson replied, “Well, why don’t you do it?” “But Preacher,” she protested, “where would I fall to?” “You would fall down into the everlasting arms of God, came his reply. Then he said, “I have read in the Bible that His everlasting arms are underneath His children. And you know, I believe that if you fall down upon those everlasting arms, it is sure and certain that you will never fall through them.” Yes, the believer can rest in the unfailing strength and support of the omnipotent Father. God bolsters this assurance with a progression of truth in Isaiah 41:10 when He says through the prophet, “I am with thee.” “I will strengthen thee.” “I will help thee.” “I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.” And in John 17:11 we read this prayer of our Lord: “Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me.” He who to the wind and wave Commanded, “Peace, be still!” Stands with arms outstretched to save And keep you in His will. -Stairs When we get to the place where there's nothing left but God, we find that God is all we need. Play Twila Paris' All That I Need