There comes a time for all of us when we need help against our foes. In Deuteronomy 33:7 we hear Moses blessing the tribe of Judah. Here is the scripture that records that blessing:
(Deuteronomy 33:7) And this he said about Judah: “Hear, Lord, the cry of Judah, bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause. Oh, be his help against his foes!”
THE JUDAH OF TODAY
Most of us realize that the tribe of Judah has today become the people group we call the Jews.
Today’s people who are Jewish are descendants from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The other 10 tribes were lost in assimilations during the captivities of Israel which came later in history.
When I hear that last line of the above scripture that says “Oh, be his help against his foes!” I have to think of Jerusalem today.
Today, as in days of old, enemies surround the descendants of Judah night and day. Their troubles never end; but God is always right there with them, protecting them, giving them victory in the face of turmoil.
ONE LITTLE NATION ATTACKED BY MANY OTHERS
This one tiny little nation called Israel is surrounded by nations that are against it. They look like a tiny pin-point on the map in the landscape of that part of the world. Yet; they hold on to their sovereignty.
Only God could bring that about for so long – since 1948!
Do you think God is still pondering the blessing of Moses?
BLESSED BEFORE BECOMING A NATION
But; we are thinking through the things that were happening to the people of Israel back in the days right before Moses died.
They were about to cross over to the promised land.
Moses was giving his last blessing to each of the tribes.
Just what did the words of this blessing mean to the tribe of Judah back in that period of time?
A NATION SEEKING GOD
The beginning of the blessing indicates that Judah had been crying out to God.
In those days, as is true today, Judah was known for seeking God in the times of need, and actually during all times. Judah had learned through the years that they could not rely on their own strength; and they knew that they needed the strength of God to continue on as a mighty people.
Hence we learn that Judah is a tribe of people who will always cry out to God.
TAKING A LESSON FROM JUDAH
America today could take a lesson from Judah. It is a perfect time to realize it is not sufficient to move in our own strength; but we need the strength of God Almighty to continue as a strong nation. Like Judah; we must be continually crying out to God, seeking His help in all of our troubles.
People looking on at certain leaders in our country have pointed out the characteristic of “weakness.” Other countries who have feared us in the past have began to think less of us because of these traits of weakness.
What do you do when your leaders are weak and your country is falling and failing because of their lack of leadership?
You never depend on men to lead you. The people of a great nation will always turn to God for their strength. Even when their leaders are weak.
God will be strong for us.
WHEN WE CRY OUT TO GOD WITH FAITH
He will strengthen us in unexpected places and in unexpected ways and events. If we keep crying out to God (as Judah was known for in the past) He will make us strong again.
Moses realized that Judah’s worst problem was trying to be too self-sufficient and forgetting to lean on God for their needs.
Judah was noted as “crying out” but after crying out they would try to solve their own problems instead of waiting on God to direct them.
Moses asks that God help Judah with this.
MANKIND IS NOT SUFFICIENT ON THEIR OWN
All of God’s people have found themselves in such a position at one time or another. We should all be praying for God to come to the aid of all who think like Judah; who find themselves forgetting that God has all of the answers.
God is our help, our strength and our source in all things large and small.
Judah was learning this lesson as they traveled with the other tribes; and Moses was praying in this blessing for them to remember it and react in God’s will at all times.
PUTTING TOTAL FAITH IN GOD
What was good for Judah is also good for us today.
We must learn to put aside our human solutions and trust God to lead us in his will.
Also; we must continue to cry out to God for help against our foes, because God will defend us, even if our leaders are weak and careless.
God was listening to Moses and He was already preparing the way for Judah to walk into the promises.
He will do the same for you and me.