Numbers 6:22 Then the Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:
24 ‘May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
25 May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
26 May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.’
and protect you.
25 May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
26 May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.’
This prayerful blessing is packed with meaning for worshipers and divides into six parts:
May the Lord Bless You...
Here, the blessing summarizes the covenant between God and his people. Only in relationship with God, with him as our Father, are we truly blessed.
...And Keep You
God's protection keeps us in covenant relationship with him. As the Lord God kept Israel, Jesus Christ is our Shepherd, who will keep us from getting lost.
The Lord Make His Face Shine Upon You...
God's face represents his presence. His face shining upon us speaks of his smile and the pleasure he takes in his people.
...And Be Gracious to You
The result of God's pleasure is his grace toward us. We don't deserve his grace and mercy, but because of his love and faithfulness, we receive it.
The Lord Turn His Face Towards You...
God is a personal Father who pays attention to his children as individuals. We are his chosen ones.
...And Give You Peace. Amen.
This conclusion affirms that covenants are formed for the purpose of securing peace through a right relationship. Peace represents well-being and wholeness. When God gives his peace, it is complete and eternal.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Numbers 8:1-9:23, Mark 13:14-37, Psalm 50:1-23, Proverbs 10:29-30
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