The Blessing of Asher; Deu. 33
Deu 33:24 And of Asher he said…Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be. There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee…
Deu 33:25 …Thy shoes shall be iron and brass…
This is—of course—one of scriptures many metaphors, designed to stamp a clear picture on the mind of truth about God, this life, and true religion.
Shoes are for walking the journey, and the road or terrain is treacherous and difficult. (If you don’t believe me, study the patriarchs and prophets in the Bible, Jesus, the apostles, Hebrews 11 & 12, Rev. 1-3…).
Therefore suitable shoes are provided by the Lord for the purpose of finishing the journey.
IRON/BRASS: definition: 3) Harshness, STRENGTH, oppression (figuratively: Used both negatively and positively in scripture.)
These shoes remain STRONG and LAST through harsh and oppressive terrain.
FACT: The road/path is prepared by God. (“the steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord…”)
This point is VERY IMPORTANT, because instead of being patient and strong, we will be tempted to fret and complain if we believe something or someone else is responsible for the rough road we are experiencing! False prophets teach the opposite of this truth, and keep their followers discontent and unhappy on a difficult road—“God wants you to be successful and comfortable”, is their lie…“Keep writing those checks and you will be like me:-S”
Friends, the Bible hasn’t lied to us. In the first 6 chapters we are told what has become of life on planet earth, and that judgment will be coming. But not before God saves a people for Himself from destruction.
REACHING THE DESTINATION WITH YOUR SOUL AND FAITH INTACT IS WHAT COUNTS!
Luk 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Expanded translation:
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan by asking obtained you and your fellow disciples for himself and from my power to his, in order that he may shake you in a sieve as grain is sifted, by an inward agitation, trying your faith to the verge of overthrow. But as for myself, I made petition concerning you that your faith should not be totally eclipsed. And as for you, when you have returned to your original position with respect to your faith, stabilize your brethren.—Lk. 22:31
Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.