The Blessing Of Aaron

"The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,

The LORD bless you and keep you;

the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.' " - Numbers 6:22-27 ESV

I'm looking at this amazing passage this morning and marveling. The three phrases in the middle all start with a verb in the Hebrew...

Bless LORD

Make LORD

Lift LORD

Face and countenance are the same Hebrew word. The word is Paniym (Strongs H6440) and it is plural. The many facial expressions of God all shine grace. When His face is lifted toward us we have peace. We sense Him looking at us and we have peace. The LORD who blesses also keeps.

God wants His 'name' to be upon His people.

How do we bless people? Is it by making comparison? Is it by giving? Is it by remembering? Is kindness, as wonderful as it is, the same as blessing?

God told Aaron to say this as a blessing and it is a profound blessing outside of man and his or her doings.

Bless LORD and keep

Make Your divine face to shine in graciousness on us

Lift Your divine face on us and we will have Shalom

Yes.

I worship this morning and pray this is the blessing that would be on your house and mine. That we would know that God's eyes are on us and that his expression is the expression of an all powerful friend.

I seek your face God. It is like sunshine for us. Thank You God. In Your Son Jesus we see Your face shining clearly. In His words we find Your mind. We look to you this morning. Thank You LORD.

Make us a blessing today.

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