Study Desk

His people have acted corruptly toward Him; the spot on them is not that of His children, but of a perverse and crooked generation.

But the LORD's portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance.

He found him in a desert land, in a barren, howling wilderness; He surrounded him, He instructed him, He guarded him as the apple of His eye.

As an eagle stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, He spread His wings to catch them; He carried them on His pinions.

But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked-becoming fat, bloated, and gorged. He abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation.

They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with abominations.

When the LORD saw this, He rejected them, provoked to anger by His sons and daughters.

For the LORD will judge His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone and no one remains, slave or free.

Rejoice, O heavens, with Him, and let all God's angels worship Him. Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; for He will avenge the blood of His children. He will take vengeance on His adversaries and repay those who hate Him; He will cleanse His land and His people."

And there on the mountain that you climb, you will die and be gathered to your people, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people.

This is the blessing that Moses, the man of God, pronounced upon the Israelites before his death.

He said: "The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon us from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand.

Let Reuben live and not die, nor his men be few."

And concerning Judah he said: "O LORD, hear the cry of Judah and bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause, but may You be a help against his foes."

He said of his father and mother, 'I do not consider them.' He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant.

Bless his substance, O LORD, and accept the work of his hands. Smash the loins of those who rise against him, and of his foes so they can rise no more."

Concerning Benjamin he said: "May the beloved of the LORD rest secure in Him; God shields him all day long, and upon His shoulders he rests."

Concerning Joseph he said: "May his land be blessed by the LORD with the precious dew from heaven above and the deep waters that lie beneath,

with the choice gifts of the land and everything in it, and with the favor of Him who dwelt in the burning bush. May these rest on the head of Joseph and crown the brow of the prince of his brothers.

His majesty is like a firstborn bull and his horns are like those of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even to the ends of the earth. Such are the myriads of Ephraim, and such are the thousands of Manasseh."