"Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be." Deut. 33:25.
There is probably no scripture quoted more frequently than this for comfort and encouragement to the feeble and aged; but the question has often been raised as to its application to the saints of this dispensation. More attention to its place and context would soon give the rightful answer. It occurs in the blessing of Asher, and it contains therefore for him—that is, for the tribe what it could not contain for us. But, like the infinite fullness of the Word of God, it contains for us what it could not bestow on Asher. It runs, "Let Asher be blessed with children [that is, have a fruitful progeny]; let him be acceptable to his brethren [be in their favor or esteem], and let him dip hi: foot in oil"'- a desire doubtless for his wealth in the produce of the olive. Then follows the promise at the head of these notes. Now it is precisely in this connection, between the last clause of verse 24 and verse 25, that the truth for Christians is to he found. Oil is a well-known type of the Holy Spirit. Taking it thus, all is plain. Let the believer walk (dip his foot) in the power of the Holy Ghost, and then it may be said to him, "Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so' shall thy strength be." So understood, the promise is exceedingly beautiful. It points out that the only power for walk is the Holy Ghost, and that His strength, however our natural powers may decline, will never fail. As thy days—long or short -so shall thy strength be, if thou dost but dip thy foot in oil.