Before his death, Moses, the man of God, spoke a final blessing over the tribes of Israel. He reminded them of how the Lord came from Sinai in radiant glory, shining forth with countless holy ones, bringing with Him the fire of His law and the proof of His love for His people. "The Lord is King over Jeshurun," Moses declared, "when the tribes of Israel gather together."
He blessed each tribe in turn:
Reuben — "Let Reuben live and not die; may his people not be few."
Judah — "Hear, O Lord, the voice of Judah. Bring him to his people and strengthen his hands against his enemies."
Levi — "Lord, the Thummim and Urim belong to Your faithful one. You tested him at Massah and proved him at Meribah. He watched over Your word and guarded Your covenant. Bless his skills, O Lord, and accept his offerings. Strike down those who rise against him."
Benjamin — "The beloved of the Lord rests securely in Him. The Lord shelters him all day long, and he rests between His shoulders."
Joseph — "May the Lord bless his land with heaven's dew and earth's riches — the best of the sun and moon, the hills and mountains, and the fullness of the earth. May the favor of the God who appeared in the burning bush rest upon the head of Joseph, the prince among his brothers. His strength is like a firstborn bull, his horns like a wild ox. With them he will push the nations to the ends of the earth — the ten thousands of Ephraim and the thousands of Manasseh."
Zebulun and Issachar — "Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar in your tents. You will call nations to the mountain to offer sacrifices and feast on the treasures of the seas and the sands."
Gad — "Blessed is he who enlarges Gad's land! He lives like a lion, tearing arm and head. He chose the best land for himself and carried out the Lord's righteous will."
Dan — "Dan is a young lion springing from Bashan."
Naphtali — "Naphtali is filled with the Lord's favor and full of His blessing; his inheritance reaches to the lake and southward."
Asher — "Most blessed of sons is Asher; may he be favored by his brothers and bathe his feet in oil. Your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will last as long as your days."
Moses ended with praise to the God of Jeshurun: "There is no one like your God, who rides through the heavens to help you! The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are His everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies and declare, 'Destroy them!'"
Then Moses proclaimed, "O Israel, you will live in safety, blessed with grain and new wine, and heaven's dew will fall upon your land. Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you—a people saved by the Lord, your shield and your glorious sword! Your enemies will fall before you, and you will trample down their high places."