The Meaning of Twelve and The Blessings for the Tribes #3

Moshe Blesses The Twelve Tribes

This post is the 3rd in a sub-series for the series of posts on the relationship of the judgements in Exodus to the judgements in Revelation.  If the reader is following the thread of these posts, it is important to read #1 and #2 in this series before coming to this 3rd post.  Here are the links:

The Meaning of Twelve and The Blessings for the Tribes #1

The Meaning of Twelve and The Blessings for the Tribes #2

An Emblem of the Tribe of Dan

Deuteronomy 33

1 And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.

2 And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.

3 Yes, he loved the people; all His saints are in Your hand: and they sat down at Your feet; every one shall receive of Your words.

4 Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.

5 And there was a king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together.

Reuben

6 Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.

<>} MellowWolfPblsh nt. = This is the essential testimony of grace, which, in being here given to the firstborn, is a testimony for all the firstborn in relation to the secret of the priesthood of Levi. This blessing of Moshe for Reuben comes directly from Jacob's blessing of Reuben, where Jacob blesses him for the sake of his position as the firstborn - even though no firstborn will prove worthy of that position in Israel until G-d makes Mashiach his firstborn by raising him from the dead. On that merit the position of the firstborn in Israel will be justified and restored to Reuben.  If Reuben will be saved all the firstborn of Israel will be saved.  If the firstborn of Israel will be saved, all Israel will be saved.  This is the revelation of Passover.  Thus in this blessing is implied a substitution, like unto the Passover Lamb.  On the merit of Moshe and Aaron, this place of the lamb will be held by the lamb, Levi, until the time when the tribe of Levi must itself have a Passover Lamb, a lamb of grace to cover its sins.  This blessing must come as a prayer.  It can come in no other way, for grace is that which is granted by HASHEM alone.

Judah

7 And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be an help to him from his enemies.

<>} MellowWolfPblsh nt. = Judah has the blessing of Shiloh from his father Jacob and yet requires this prayer from Moshe of being attached to his people, the prayer that he will be redeemed out of exile and attached to his people.  Who are his people?  It is Joseph, who is redeemed even in exile.  And Judah must be brought out of his exile from Joseph in order that he too might be redeemed even in exile.  Only then can both these houses be redeemed from exile as one.  Judah will have need of a grace in his own hands, his own efforts to come to this redemption in exile, though his enemies will mock him for this.  For by his own efforts he must bring himself down, not raise himself up.  He must bring himself down in repentance in order to save Benjamin from the fate of exile that befell Joseph.  For Joseph, who is hidden from his eyes in the shame of exile, will not reveal himself to him, cannot reveal himself to him, in any other way.  Judah must labour in this penitence.  For this Moshe blesses him with a prayer.

Levi

8 And of Levi he said, Let your Thummim and thy Urim be with your holy one, whom you did prove at Massah, and with whom you did strive at the waters of Meribah;

9 Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brothers, nor knew his own children: for they have observed your word, and kept your covenant.

10 They shall teach Jacob your judgments, and Israel your Torah: they shall put incense before you, and whole burnt sacrifice upon your altar.

11 Bless, HASHEM, his substance, and accept the work of his hands: smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again.

<>} MellowWolfPblsh nt. = The prayer of blessing for Reuben is the prayer of the one who is representative in the reception of grace on behalf of the collective many.  The prayer of blessing for Judah is the prayer for the head of the body, the one who is the corporate head, because he lays down his life for the body, the corporate many.  The prayer here for Levi is the prayer for the chosen few, the students of the Shekinah, who will judge the many lost sheep of the house of Isreal with salvation in the end, and therefore also in the beginning.  This is the office of the firstborn which ought to have been itself the collective one, the court of elders in the position of giving these blessings, but has become itself in need of a blessing of the prayer for grace, just as much as the houses of each of the full tribes and the full house of Israel, which is here called, Jeshurun, are in need of the blessing of the prayer of grace.  And what is the blessing needed by the office of the firstborn, which now is filled by the tribe of Levi?

It is that the Thummim and Urim of HASHEM would be with Levi.  Why was this the prayer of blessing that was needed?  Because, after the firstborn proved unworthy of the leadership of the testimony of HAHSEM, the Divine Presence, which would lead Israel by the Thummim and Urim, would not go with Israel.  For this reason Moshe makes his prayer of blessing for Levi a direct petition addressed to HASHEM.  Reuben’s transgression and Judah’s alienation from Joseph from the beginning indicated that the need for this prayer of blessing for Levi was the need of all Israel from before the foundation of the world. For this reason, Moshe has faith to make this direct plea to HASHEM in his blessing of Levi.  For ever before Israel went down into Egypt, or came up again by virtue of the value that HASHEM found in her firstborn, a fault was found and covered in the firstborn of Jacob by the grace which HASHEM established between Rachel and Leah.  And why was it Levi who was able to step into this office and receive this blessing?  It is because Levi is he, “whom you did prove at Massah, and with whom you did strive at the waters of Meribah...”

What is the meaning of this?  Here is the explanation of why it is a tribe, even Levi, who is chosen to fill the place of the firstborn in the position of the priesthood of God after the sin of the golden calf.  How is it Levi “whom you did prove at Masah, and with whom you did strive at the waters of Meribah..”? It is in the persons of Moshe and Aaron as the tzaddikim of Levi that this occurred.  It is as being attached to the Righteous individual “limb” of Moshe and Aaron – who are themselves attached to the Branch of Yehoshua HaMashiach – that Levi was made suitable to take the position of the firstborn, when, due to the sin of the golden calf, the firstborn were no longer suitable to take the postion of the priesthood in representing the true Firstborn Priesthood of Mashiach to come.  And it was for this reason that Moshe and Aaron were not able to enter into the Promised Land but instead died for the sake of Corporate Israel in the wilderness.  And for this reason Aaron’s death represented the actual and true death of Yehoshua HaMashiach for Corporate Israel, and Moshe’s death represented the mystery of the death of Yehoshua HaMashiach, in that as Hashem kept the body of Moshe concealed to Himself, so also Hashem raised Yehoshua from the grave and regenerated all Creation through his resurrection, concealing Mashiach in His presence, to be revealed in due time, when also there shall be revealed a new Heaven and a new Earth through Mashiach and his sacrifice for Israel.

How then are we now to enter the Land of Preparation for this and the Land of Testimony to this great news of Israel and Her Messiah?  This is the question that Hashem gave to His prophet Elijah.  This is the question asked by Yochanan the Immerser, John the Baptist, (who was the incarnation of the soul of Elijah, just as was Elisha the prophet), who, when he saw his works of regeneration, asked Yehoshua, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect another?”  That is to say, Since you have been given he power of regeneration but are to be concealed, as Moshe was concealed, how shall we prepare for the revelation of the New Jerusalem?  

Here in the blessing of the tribes Moshe is precisely in this same position of Yochanan in Herod’s prison.  He is himself, as the forerunner of Mashiach, about to be concealed for the sake of Corporate Israel’s salvation.  For this reason Moshe has listed the tribes in the order of unfolding the plan of redemption, as already given and as now proceeding to Benjamin.

Benjamin

12 And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.

<>} MellowWolfPblsh nt. = In order for the purpose of Levi holding the position of the priesthood of the firstborn to be completely fulfilled the rectification of the sin of the golden calf has to be completely fulfilled.  In other words, Israel has to be returned to the place where it can give the perfect testimony of redemption through the Passover Lamb that it would have given had it not sinned in the creation of the golden calf.  To return to the place where it was before that sin, Israel must be prepared to fulfill its calling to the nations.  This is the calling of the firstborn of G-d and is led by the firstborn.  Just as Cain lost this priesthood, the testimony of the seed of the woman, Israel lost this priesthood, but whereas the house of Cain was not redeemed to this position, the house of Israel was redeemed to this position – and on the merit of that redemption that was to come, Moshe prayed for Israel and Hashem granted that the tribe of Levi should hold the place of the firstborn.

In Israel this testimony of the priesthood of the firstborn was compromised from the start by the adversary of Jacob, the father of Rachel and Leah, Laban.  There are three ways that the Bible frames the confusion to the testimony of the firstborn in Israel that Laban introduced by bringing in Leah in the place of Rachel.  One way is as the adversary Laban saw it.  But another way is how G-d saw it, which was as no confusion at all but as an opportunity to reveal his grace and life.  The third way is how Jacob saw it.  From Jacob’s point of view thare was a sense in which Joseph was his firstborn.  There was some vindication of this in the way in which G-d used Joseph in Egypt, but the grace that G-d established for Israel and the testimony of Israel to the truth of G-d, which G-d established through Joseph constituted an office that was transferred to Judah when Benjamin was defended by Judah with his life.  It is Benjamin’s rescue by Judah, which is at the same time Judah’s repentance toward the spirit of Mashiach as embodied in the person of Joseph, and at the same time the reuniting of Benjamin with Joseph, that represents the coming of the Kingdom of G-d upon Earth.

In being attached to Judah, when the other tribes of Rachel and the remainder of the tribes of Leah separated themselves unto Jeroboam, Benjamin remained attached to the house of David and to the promise of the house of David which was Mashiach.  Although Joseph was separated from Judah and Judah from Joseph, although Rachel and Leah were not reconciled on earth in heaven above they were reconciled, and in Benjamin’s attachment to Judah and to the house of David there was a continual testimony to the unity above.  Benjamin was always the bridge between Joseph and Judah in the heart of Jacob.  This is the aspect wherein Benjamin is the beloved of Hashem.  And this is the testimony of the Temple being built between the territories of Judah and Benjamin.  It is in this way that it is between Leah and Rachel, between the revelation of the world to come and the redemption of this world.  For in G-d the end and the means are one.  There is no replacement theology.

In the encampment of Israel in the wilderness Benjamin is encamped with Joseph, for this is the exile that Jacob experienced in his heart, for which cause Judah went into exile and Mashiach suffered all things.  But when Ezekiel saw the journeying of Israel finally coming to a rest in the land of the final Temple Benjamin was encamped between Judah and Joseph.  This cannot be seen immediately, as in the land at rest in the vision of Ezekiel Benjamin is no more directly between Judah and Joseph as in former times.  This is because in former times the struggle between Rachel and Leah remained.  Joseph was concealed from Judah, as in Egypt at the first.  But in the end the Shekinah will rest in the Holy Land, as indicated by Jacob’s prophetic naming of Rachel’s final child, “Son of My Right Hand,” that is to say, “Son of the South,” for here Benjamin comes as the arm, as it were, of Joseph from the west and the north and circles around, embracing the Holy Place from the South and Judah comes from the east and the south, embracing the Holy Place from the North.  And in this way Benjamin is the bridge between Joseph and Judah in rest, even as he was in the journey.  It is in this way that Benjamin will be reunited with Joseph and the heart of Jacob will be revived.

Joseph

13 And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that couches beneath,

14 And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon,

15 And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills,

16 And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brothers.

17 His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.

<>} MellowWolfPblsh nt. =  Here is the promise of Mashiach ben Yoseph.  This is the secret of Mashiach, that though he is the seed of David, by his ruach through the covenant of regeneration given as assurance by HASHEM to Abraham, he gathers the exiles of Israel from the ends of the earth through the agency of Ephraim and the blessing of Manasseh.  While David was in the wilderness of the Philistines he laid the foundation of the kingdom, having been anointed of HASHEM by the prophet Samuel.  Just so, the Son of David builds his kingdom now.  While King Saul rules in Judah and Benjamin, Yehoshua HaMashiach rules in the wilderness of the gentiles, where he pushes the people together.

Zebulun and Issachar

18 And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out; and, Issachar, in your tents.

19 They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand.

<>} MellowWolfPblsh nt. =  Leah is not without her children among the concealed tribes in the great exile.  By the help of Issachar and Zebulun the 10 tribes shall return with great wealth to the Holy Land. For in accordance with apostolic instruction in the Holy Spirit they shall present their bodies as living sacrifices unto Hashem.

Gad

20 And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlarges Gad: he dwells as a lion, and tears the arm with the crown of the head.

21 And he provided the first part for himself, because there, in a portion of the lawgiver, was he seated; and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments with Israel.

<>} MellowWolfPblsh nt. =  Gad will take the witness stand and give the testimony that will justify the innocent and convict the guilty... the sheep will be separated from the goats, the wheat from the tares.

Dan

22 And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.

<>} MellowWolfPblsh nt. =  Just when it looks that all is at a loss and all hope is gone, Dan shall leap from Bashan and Israel shall be seen by all nations as the one who was saved by Yehoshua HaMashiach.

Naphtali

23 And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess the west (the sea) and the south!

<>} MellowWolfPblsh nt. =  By the song of Naphtali Joseph shall free Simeon and the land shall be allotted for the resurrection of the dead.  Here is the concealed blessing of Simeon.

Asher

24 And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil.

25 Your shoes shall be iron and brass; and as your days, so shall your strength be.

<>} MellowWolfPblsh nt.  In the tent of Asher all Israel shall sit down to the marriage feast of the Lamb.

26 There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rides upon the heaven in your help, and in his excellency on the sky.

27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before you; and shall say, Destroy them!

28 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.

29 Happy are you, O Israel: who is like unto you, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help, and who is the sword of your excellency! and your enemies shall be found liars unto you; and you shall tread upon their high places.


<>} MellowWolfPblsh nt. = In these comments I have sought to reflect the nature of the 12 dimensions of the everlasting arms (verse 27 ). These are first given in the arrangement of the camps of the tribes in the wilderness. There are four directions, each with the nature of dialogue with those adjacent, for the purpose of moving forward on the journey to the Holy Land. Thus, the aspect of each tribe, which is also the aspect of the foundations of the City and the gates of the City (See Ezekiel and Revelation), which is reflected in the blessings of each tribe, is an aspect of service of All Israel in her internal dialogue for moving forward from This World to the World To Come, while keeping the nations "at the gate", so that they might enter at their time and not before. We will see from this why the judgements of revelation come as they do and why the tribes are sealed as they are in preparation for those judgements.


Next:
The Sealing of The Tribe of Dan and The Mystery of The Chariot
The Meaning of Twelve and The Blessings for the Tribes No. 5 - which is the critical conclusion to this sub-series and essential for going on toward learning the mystery of G-d revealed to those who are hearing the seven thunders, the message given to Yochanan in the little book, which he ate, bringing the message internally into the body of Mashiach.