Deuteronomy 33:22-23 - Moses' Blessing.

The blessing of Dan and Naphtali; the satisfaction which accrues from the enjoyment of the Divine favor.

The word rendered "favor' in this verse, is the same as the one translated "good will" in the blessing of Joseph. (For several instances in which that word is used, see the Homily on that passage.) We are not going beyond the significance attached to the word in the time of Moses, in thinking of it as conveying to us the meaning of that favor, grace, and mercy of God, which is the portion of those who are accepted in his sight. And the Mosaic expression, "satisfied with favor," suggests to us this theme for meditation—Acceptance with God a matter for devout satisfaction .

I. THE BLESSING HERE PRONOUNCED ON DAN AND NAPHTALI SPEAKS OF TEMPORAL MERCIES OF SO MEAN VALUE . To Dan is promised the strength and leaping freedom of young life. Samson was a mighty hero in this tribe. The historical details are not sufficient to enable us to compare the history of the tribe with the blessing upon it. Nevertheless, in general, it is sufficiently obvious that an amplitude of power is a great boon, if, indeed it be attended with the greater one, of wisdom to use it aright. Naphtali, too, was to enjoy "the sunny south" (see Hebrew). To be permitted to know this earthly life on its sunny side is indeed a mercy; how it sweetens our existence when, enjoying the warm sunbeams, we are permitted to feel that life is a privilege. Let such as have the earthly gifts bestowed on Dan and Naphtali—strength and sunshine—not be slow to perceive or to acknowledge their indebtedness and responsibility to God.

II. YET GREAT AS THESE TEMPORAL MERCIES ARE , BY THEMSELVES THEY WILL NOT YIELD SATISFACTION TO THE HIGHER NATURE OF MAN , HOWEVER ABUNDANT THE DEGREE IN WHICH THEY MAY BE POSSESSED . It is true that this is not so much expressed in the text as implied in the form of it. The satisfaction of which Moses speaks arises from something else which neither might nor brightness can secure.

III. THERE IS A GREATER BOON , even " favor "—acceptance with God. This the Hebrews enjoyed who had made a covenant with God through sacrifice. (For the blessedness of this in its ripest Christian form, see Romans 5:1-11 ). Earthly blessings are the gifts of God's hand. Spiritual blessings are the outflowings of his grace ( Ephesians 1:1-3 ; Ephesians 2:1-6 ).

IV. THIS GREATER BOON IT IS WHICH YIELDS ENTIRE SATISFACTION . With God's "favor," all who possess it are abundantly satisfied. It must be so. For in this blessed state of acceptance, we enjoy what the Apostle Paul speaks of as a resurrection life . We are in "a new creation," "all things are become new."

" … when all earthly pleasures fail,—

(And fail they always will to every soul of man),

He sends his hopes on high; reaches his sickle forth,

And reaps the clusters from the vines of God."

Verily such a one is "satisfied with favor, and filled with the blessing of the Lord."