With an entire chapter given over to a song detailing how the people of Israel would turn away from God (Deuteronomy 32), and with the final chapter of the book recounting how Moses would not, after all, be allowed to go into the Promised Land with the rest of God’s people (Deuteronomy 34), the blessings of chapter 33 come as a welcome interlude. For the good news is that, regardless of how unfaithful God’s people may be, God still graciously chooses to bless us.

And that’s because of Who He is. The end of chapter 33 reminds us of His power, how He rides through the heavens in His glory and majesty (33:26). But at the same time, God is determined to love His people, letting us dwell with Him, upholding and protecting us even while He destroys all our enemies (33:27). By His gracious authority, God allows His people to experience so many of the blessings of this world – the grain and wine that can be produced when God gives us the rain we need (33:28).

Yes, God had saved His people from slavery in Egypt and would save them again from their new enemies in the land into which He was leading them (33:29), in spite of their sins in the past and future. In the same way, God continues to save His people today, delivering all who trust in Christ from bondage to sin and death. Because God continues to be our dwelling place, we can continue to lean upon His everlasting arms. Truly, there is no god like Him.

Deuteronomy 33:26-29 (ESV)

26 “There is none like God, O Jeshurun,
who rides through the heavens to your help,
through the skies in his majesty.
27 The eternal God is your dwelling place,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
And he thrust out the enemy before you
and said, ‘Destroy.’
28 So Israel lived in safety,
Jacob lived alone,
in a land of grain and wine,
whose heavens drop down dew.
29 Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you,
a people saved by the LORD,
the shield of your help,
and the sword of your triumph!
Your enemies shall come fawning to you,
and you shall tread upon their backs.”