May 16, 2025 -- Deuteronomy 33:12 -- Safe in the Father's arms

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People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Of Benjamin he said,
May the beloved of the LORD dwell in security by Him,
Who shields him all the day,
And he dwells between His shoulders.
Deuteronomy 33:12 NAS
 
It is my go-to verse when lots is going on in my life. Sometimes, when tears well up and my heart is so hurt, I go to this text. What blessedness and security are pictured there.
Benjamin was the smallest tribe, sort of the least and most easily forgotten. God has not forgotten them! Look what Moses the prophet of the LORD says about Benjamin. God remembers them and claims them in love. They are dearly loved.
 
In an age of warfare, of tribal divisions, of internal strife they dwell safely. Why? Because God has set His love on them. To be loved by God means in life and even in death one is His. To be loved by God means that the world may kill the body, but in eternity there will be a new body, a new life where there is no possibility of sin, of harm, or of death. This is the security we, as New Testament Christians, read in this passage. Our live now, however long or short it is, is a dress rehearsal for eternity in His presence.
 
The final two phrases, look at them closely. The LORD surrounds His people. The LORD embraces His beloved one so that he dwells between his shoulders. Reading this I recall the passage “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known” (John 1:18). Older translations noted that Jesus, Who was in the bosom of His Father, He has made God known.
 

  • An infant suckles at the breast of the mother between her shoulders, that is the bosom.

  • A weaned child, secure and remembering the former comforts of nursing, nestles close to the mother resting content.

  • A child with a skinned knee or a hurt heart runs to his father and is caught up in his arms and embraced. He is in the strong, protective bosom of his father. What security and comfort are found there.

  • When John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, had a question at the supper table, he leaned back. It is important to know that in those days people leaned on the armrest of open backed couches to eat a meal. The armrest of the couch was next to the table. When John had a question for Jesus he leaned backwards, leaning into Jesus’ personal space, leaning into His bosom. It is the picture of Deuteronomy 33.

 
Believers are secure, embraced by God because of Jesus. He left the bosom of His Father in heaven. He walked this earth. He lived a life completely obedient to the Father, though He was tested and tried in every way humanly possible. He never sinned. As the sinless One, He gave Himself up to death, even death on a cross, so that you and I would know the height and depth and breadth and length of forgiveness that covers all our sin. As those set free from the curse of sin, we are the people who nestle into the embrace of God as beloved sons and daughters.
 
Oh, High GOD, Who stoops down to embrace believers, thank You for the comforts of nestling into Your embrace. Thank You for the picture of intimacy and even more, thank You that this is real and true for us through the accomplished work of Jesus. Spirit of the Living God, when troubles, alarms, enemies, and the brokenness of sin wash up against the shores of our hearts with the regularity of waves, dear Spirit, remind us that we are caught up in the arms of our Father Who loves us. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/HcpeLDp0Foo?si=HJtQ4KOiHhMyKDdu Run to the Father
 

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