Day 589: Jeshurun - Deuteronomy 33 vs 1 -5

1 This is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the people of Israel before his death. He said:

2 “The Lord came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us; he shone forth from Mount Paran; he came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand. 3-4  Yes, he loved his people, all his holy ones were in his hand; so they followed in your steps, receiving direction from you, when Moses commanded us a law, as a possession for the assembly of Jacob. 5 Thus the Lord became king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people were gathered, all the tribes of Israel together. Deuteronomy 33:1-5 (English Standard Version)

The previous Chapter of Deuteronomy told of a song Moses taught the Israelites to pass on to their children and grandchildren. Knowing that future generations would drift away from God's good commandments, the song was to be a reminder when foreign armies conquered them why God had allowed that to happen. But, knowing he was soon to die, vs 1 says that Moses also gave a blessing to Israel's tribes. Before speaking of the individual tribes, what does Moses say was the supreme blessing they had all received? (vs 2-5)

He announces how Almighty God had made Himself known to them and chosen them to be in a very special relationship with Himself. Verse 5 is a lovely expression of that relationship. The word Jeshurun seems to have been an affectionate name God gave the people of Israel, and can be translated as “My dear upright people". The prophet Isaiah used it many years later when he was speaking words of comfort from God to the nation. He said: “Hear,  O Jacob my servant; Israel whom I have chosen! Thus says the  Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun, whom I've chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.” (Isaiah 44:1-3)

In vs 2 Moses tells how God had let the Israelites see something of His awesome glory and power when He spoke to him on Mount Sinai. We read in the Old Testament book of Exodus: “Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. And Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord  had descended on it in fire - the smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder.” (Exodus 19:17-19) That would’ve been an awesome sight and an unforgettable experience.

What was the special blessing and evidence of God’s love they had received at that time? (vs 3-4)

Through Moses, God had given them His holy law. Many years later this is what King David said about God's law: “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the  Lord are trustworthy,  making the simple wise. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord  is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold!” (Psalm 19:7-10)

And another Psalm says: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance.” How wonderfully true that is! How greatly privileged those Israelites were that day. If only they had recognized that and remained faithful to God, they would not have gone through all the sufferings they eventually did.

But what about us? The apostle Peter says to Christians: “You are a chosen people - a royal priesthood - a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9) What a fantastic privilege to be a people who have Jesus as King, and His word for our direction! Does that grip our heart? Does this amazing relationship inspire us to flee even from what may look like ‘a small sin’? God calls us to be His dear upright people. His Jeshurun. May it be so.