Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:24-25

Bird's-eye view

As Moses concludes his ministry, standing on the precipice of the Promised Land he will not enter, he pronounces blessings upon the tribes of Israel. This is not wishful thinking; it is prophetic declaration, rooted in the covenant faithfulness of God. These final words in Deuteronomy are a testament to the fact that God's relationship with His people is one defined by blessing. He is not a taskmaster looking for reasons to disqualify us, but a Father eager to bestow His favor. The blessings given to the individual tribes are specific, tangible, and rich with prophetic meaning, not just for the geopolitical realities of ancient Israel, but for the spiritual realities of the new covenant people of God, the Church.

In these verses, the blessing on Asher is a picture of profound spiritual prosperity and security. It speaks of favor, abundance, strength, and endurance. Like all the Old Testament promises, these words find their ultimate Yes and Amen in the Lord Jesus Christ. The oil, the favor, the iron and bronze are all shadows and types that point to the substance we have in Him. This is a portrait of the blessed man, the one who trusts in the Lord, and it is therefore a portrait of every believer who is found in Christ.

Outline

Context In Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 33 is the final song of Moses, a poetic blessing on the tribes of Israel that parallels Jacob's blessing in Genesis 49. The book of Deuteronomy is structured as a series of farewell addresses from Moses to the generation poised to enter Canaan. The central theme is covenant renewal. Moses has reiterated the law (the Ten Commandments and their application), reminded them of God's mighty acts of salvation and judgment in the wilderness, and called them to love and obey the Lord their God with all their heart. This final chapter of blessing is the capstone. After all the warnings and exhortations, the final word is one of grace and promised favor. It is a reminder that their future prosperity depends entirely on God's gracious disposition toward them, a disposition secured by His covenant oath.

Verse-by-Verse Commentary

v. 24 Of Asher he said, “More blessed than sons is Asher; May he be favored by his brothers, And may he dip his foot in oil.

More blessed than sons is Asher... The blessing begins by placing Asher in a position of preeminence. In a patriarchal culture, to be blessed above sons was a staggering statement. It speaks of a super-abundant blessing, a double portion of favor. This points us forward to the nature of our blessing in Christ. In Him, we are not just servants; we are adopted as sons, co-heirs with the only begotten Son. We have received an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. The blessing is not just inclusion, but honored inclusion.

May he be favored by his brothers... This is a blessing of fellowship and peace within the covenant community. Asher's prosperity was not to be a source of envy but of delight to the other tribes. This is how the body of Christ is to function. When one part is honored, all the parts rejoice with it (1 Cor. 12:26). True blessing from God does not isolate; it integrates. It makes a man a blessing to others, someone whose company and success are a joy to his brethren. This favor is a fruit of God's grace, creating harmony and mutual affection among God's people.

And may he dip his foot in oil. This is a picture of lavish abundance. The territory allotted to Asher in the north of Canaan was known for its olive groves. This was not a promise of a little cruse of oil, but so much that one could casually dip his foot in it. Oil in Scripture is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, of joy, and of prosperity. To dip one's foot in it signifies walking in a superabundance of God's spiritual anointing and gladness. For the Christian, this is the promise of the Spirit-filled life. We are not meant to live on spiritual fumes, but to be so saturated with the presence and power of God that it overflows in every step we take.

v. 25 Your locks will be iron and bronze, And according to your days, so your fortitude will be.

Your locks will be iron and bronze... This is a metaphor for security and strength. The "locks" or bars of Asher's gates would be fortified, impenetrable. Their territory bordered potentially hostile lands, so this was a promise of divine protection and military strength. They would be secure in their inheritance. For the believer, our security is not in physical fortifications but in the finished work of Christ. Our fortress is God Himself. The gates of Hell cannot prevail against the Church He is building. Our salvation is locked down not by iron and bronze, but by the unbreakable promise and power of God.

And according to your days, so your fortitude will be. This is one of the great promises of Scripture for the weary pilgrim. The word for fortitude can also be translated as strength, or rest. God promises to supply the strength needed for the length of the journey. He does not give us grace for tomorrow's trials today; He provides it exactly when it is needed. As your days, so shall your strength be. This is a promise against both burnout and anxiety. We do not need to fear the future, whether it holds the challenges of youth, the burdens of middle age, or the frailties of old age. The God who appointed our days will also appoint the strength for them. He is the faithful God whose mercies are new every morning, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Application

The blessing of Asher is a rich portrait of the Christian life. We are to see ourselves in this. We are blessed with an honored position as sons of God. We are called to live in such a way that we are a delight to our brothers and sisters in the faith, our prosperity in grace contributing to the health of the whole body. We are to walk, not in scarcity, but in the abundance of the Holy Spirit, dipping our feet in the oil of His joy and presence.

Furthermore, we are secure. Our inheritance is protected by a strength far greater than iron and bronze. And for the journey, for every single day of it, God has promised a customized, daily supply of strength. We are not to worry about whether we will have the resources for what lies ahead. The God who has blessed us so lavishly in Christ will not fail to provide the daily fortitude required to live out that blessing. Our task is to walk by faith, trusting that as the day's demands arise, so will His strength to meet them.