The LORD
bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be
gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee
peace.
– Numbers 6.24-26
Most of what
we have been looking at here for a long time has been all about the Law and the
people’s disobedience and rebellion and it has been pretty negative seeming
stuff. When we look at all this it is obvious that man can never, ever, in no
wise, no way meet up to God’s standard of perfection. It makes it clear that
only Christ could ever be the answer to man’s troubles.
But right
here in the middle we read the beautiful Aaronic blessing. It is a blessing
that has stayed popular not only in synagogues, but also in many churches.
May the
Lord:
Bless you
Keep you
Shine His
face on you
Be gracious
to you
Lift up His
countenance upon you
Give you
peace.
This
blessing is a prayer to know God better. It is a prayer that God will look on
His people with favour. Matthew Henry comments on this passage, saying that “we
may take the blessing to ourselves, as if our names were inserted.”
Let’s try
that – feel free to insert your name.
‘May the
Lord bless Roger, shine His face on Roger, be gracious to Roger, lift up His
countenance on Roger (or may Roger see God’s favour), and give Roger peace.’
Isn’t that
beautiful? Isn’t it wonderful knowing that is how God wants to treat me?
Rejoice in
Aaron’s priestly blessing. Let’s pray it for our lives, our families, our
churches, and for others around the world.
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