Today we complete our look at the blessings pronounced by Moses upon the tribes of Israel. We have three blessings left to study: for Dan, for Naphtali, and for Asher.
"About Dan he said: 'Dan is a lion's cub, springing out of Bashan.'" (Deuteronomy 33:22) The tribe of Dan will migrate later from their original territory into a more northern area that included Bashan. This could be why Moses mentions Bashan. In addition, the mountains of Bashan were known for the lions that roamed there---lions that could sneak up and attack unwary passers-by. Moses may also be making a prophetic reference to the victories of Samson the judge, who was of the tribe of Dan, who led surprise attacks on the Philistines.
Before Jacob died he pronounced blessings/prophecies upon his twelve sons and their descendants in much the same way as Moses is pronouncing blessings/prophecies on the twelve tribes of Israel. Jacob said about Dan, "Dan will provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan will be a snake by the roadside, a viper along the path, that bites the horse's heels so that its rider tumbles backwards." (Genesis 49:16-17) The name "Dan" (or "Daniel") means "God is my judge" or "He has judged me". Jacob foresaw a time when Israel would be ruled by judges and that at least one judge---Samson---would be of the tribe of Dan.
Jacob also seems to have foreseen the apostasy of the tribe of Dan by referring to Dan as a "snake" and a "viper" and by saying Dan would cause persons to "tumble backwards". Dan was the first tribe to fall into idolatry. It was in the city named Dan that a golden calf was set up after the ten northern tribes split off from the two southern tribes. It was the city of Dan that became the center of idolatrous worship in the northern kingdom. It's possible Jacob used the symbolism of a striking snake to indicate Samson's sneak attacks upon the Philistines but I feel that more is going on here than that; terms such as "snake" and "viper" are not usually complimentary in the Scriptures. These terms normally indicate a person who is deceptive or who has betrayed someone or who has ungratefully turned their back on one (such as the Lord) who has been good to them.
"About Naphtali he said: 'Naphtali is abounding with the favor of the Lord and is full of His blessing; he will inherit southward to the lake.'" (Deuteronomy 33:23) The "southward to the lake" means the Sea of Galilee and the area of Capernaum, the area where Jesus spent so much time during His ministry. Many Christian scholars feel that Moses' prophecy about Naphtali "abounding with the favor of the Lord" and being "full of His blessing" has to do with being blessed with the presence of the Redeemer. The prophet Isaiah foresaw a great blessing coming upon the territory of Naphtali and the region of Galilee: "Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond Jordan---The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned." (Isaiah 9:1-2) Matthew's gospel applies Isaiah's prophecy to Jesus while He was teaching in the area around Capernaum and Galilee. After the arrest of His cousin John the Baptist, Jesus began preaching in Galilee. "Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali---to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 'Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles---the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the shadow of death a great light has dawned.'" (Matthew 4:13-16) Matthew interpreted the "light" of Isaiah's prophecy to be a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ, a view supported by the gospel writers Luke and John. Also in the gospel accounts we find Jesus using the term "the light" a number of times to describe Himself.
Jacob's prophecy regarding Naphtali was one simple sentence. "Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns." (Genesis 49:21) In the original language the phrase "bears beautiful fawns" can also mean "utters beautiful words" or "gives goodly words". It's difficult to interpret Jacob's meaning if he was saying, "Naphtali is a doe that bears beautiful fawns" but if he meant instead something like, "Naphtali is peaceful like a doe and bestows beautiful words," we might be able to see how this applies to Christ---the Prince of Peace---who spoke beautiful words of life in the territory of Naphtali.
"About Asher he said: 'Most blessed of sons is Asher; let him be favored by his brothers, and let him bathe his feet in oil. The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days.'" (Deuteronomy 33:24-25) Moses' words for the tribe of Asher indicate a territory wealthy in valuable materials and goods, such as oil, iron, and bronze. Jacob's prophecy for the descendants of Asher also indicated they would dwell in a territory blessed with fine things: "Asher's food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king." (Genesis 49:20) The territory assigned to Asher in Canaan included western and coastal Galilee. It was some of the most fertile farming land in all of the promised land and it was a major producer of olive oil. It's less clear what is meant by "the bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze". Some scholars believe there may have been mining operations in the territory of Asher, although Asher's ability to obtain such valuable metals may have to do with the trading or selling of fine olive oil and "delicacies fit for a king".
The remainder of Chapter 33 contains a blessing/prophecy for Israel as a whole. We plan to take a look at verses 26-29 tomorrow before moving on into Chapter 34 and the death of Moses on Monday.
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