A New Year's Blessing

Numbers 6:22–27
22 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
23 "Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, "Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them:

24 The LORD bless you, and keep you;
25 The LORD make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The LORD lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.'  

27 "So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them."
  

One morning R.C. Chapman, a devout Christian, was asked how he was feeling. "I'm burdened this morning!" was his reply. But his happy countenance contradicted his words. So the questioner exclaimed in surprise, "Are you really burdened, Mr. Chapman?" "Yes, but it's a wonderful burden--it's an overabundance of blessings for which I cannot find enough time or words to express my gratitude!" Seeing the puzzled look on the face of his friend, Chapman added with a smile, "I am referring to Psalm 68:19, which fully describes my condition. In that verse the Father in heaven reminds us that He 'daily loads us with benefits.'"

Let’s begin 2017 on a positive note, with a timely blessing and a timeless benediction. Numbers 6 gives various instructions to Israel’s priests. In verses 22–27, they are told how to bless their people. This is called the Priestly Blessing, or the Aaronic Blessing or Benediction. Aaron, Israel’s chief priest, was to pronounce it on ancient Israel. But in a special way, it’s for you and me at the beginning of this New Year.

1.  A Blessing in Triplicate. 
Notice the threefold use of God’s name: The Lord … the Lord … the Lord…. This represented the fullness of God’s blessing. He was blessing and blessing and blessing again. It reminiscent of the three-fold angelic song in Isaiah 6: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty. The triple use of the word intensifies the reality of this command. 

There may also be a greater significance to this triune formula. The Israelites didn’t understand the doctrine of the Trinity, then again can we say we do fully? These passages were written for God’s people of all ages. Looking through the lens of subsequent revelation, it seems natural to understand that the three-fold blessing of Numbers 6 suggests the Trinity. Compare the Apostolic Benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:14.~ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. 

Some feel the Aaronic Blessing should be read with the Trinity in mind: God the Father bless you and keep you. God the Son make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. God the Spirit lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. 

Will you ask Christ Jesus into your life this today and start enjoying the blessings?

2.  A Blessing from Christ. 
While the blessings are from the Triune God, the Blesser Himself is the Lord Christ Jesus. This was a priestly blessing, given to Aaron as the high priest of Israel representing the Almighty. According to Hebrews 5:1-6, Aaron was a foreshadowing of Christ Jesus, our Great High Priest. 

Our Lord’s last act of ministry before returning to heaven was to bless His people, And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. (Luke 24:50–51). Christ Jesus' nail-pierced hand are lifted over the heads of His children in continual blessing. Will you except Christ Jesus as Lord and Saviour and His blessing this today?

3.  A Blessing with Authority. 
Christ Jesus conveys this blessing to us with authority. This blessing wasn’t just an expression of good will or a simple prayer. It wasn't a off handed remark , like the one given when someone sneezes. It wasn't just frivolous statement given to make the people feel better.

In Old Testament times, Aaron, endued with the authority of Almighty God. And as such used the Divine Name and the appointed words of God Himself to conveyed God’s blessings on the congregation. 

And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10:15-16.) The same Christ Jesus who took those children in His arms and blessed them still looks to take His own into His arms and bless them. He wants to take you into His arms this today and pour out His blessings on you, wont you will let Him.

4.  A Blessing According to Your Needs. There are six components of this blessing that correspond to your needs:

1. The Lord Bless You. “Bless” is a common Old Testament word, occurring (with its derivatives) about 415 times.

1. It implied life, health, and prosperity. These blessings are spelled out for Israel in Deuteronomy 28:2-6; "All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the LORD your God:” (Deuteronomy 28:2 ).
2. In the New Testament the Christian; Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, (Ephesians 1:3).

                B.  The Lord Keep You. “Keep” conveys the idea of protection.

1. It was used for a shepherd’s keeping watch over his flock. Its root meant “to hedge about.” 
    
2. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament defines this term, “to exercise great care over.” 
     

                C.  The Lord Make His Face Shine Upon You. Here the idea is sunshine.

1. You're to soak up the light, joy, radiance, and enthusiasm of Almighty God.

1. You need to be close to Him, in His Word, worshiping and loving Him. 
    
2. As you absorb His light, you begin glowing in the darkness like a child’s luminescent toy.

                 D.  The Lord Be Gracious to You. Gracious here means to bend or stoop in kindness to  
                         an inferior; to favor, bestow; move to favor by petition

1. Simply put to be “kind and benevolent.”

                 E. The Lord Lift Up His Countenance Upon You.

1. In the Bible, relationships were often expressed in terms of facial expressions.

1. When Cain became angry with Able, his countenance fell.
2. When Laban became frustrated with Jacob, his countenance was not favorable toward him.
3. The Lord’s lifting up His countenance implies His face is turned to you in fellowship and that He smiles on you.

                 F.  The Lord Give You Peace. The Hebrew word for peace is shalom; meaning safe, i.e.  
                       (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, 
                       peace: 

                      Isaiah 26:3-4 

                     "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, 

                      Because he trusts in You.

                      Trust in the LORD forever, 

                      For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock. “

 

                  G.  I said earlier that there are six components of this blessing that correspond to your 

                        needs. But there is only one thing you need to receive this blessing and that is Christ 

                        Jesus. Why not invite Him into your life this Today? 

 

5. Blessings Equated to the Name of God.

This Aaronic benediction was equated to the Name of God (v. 27). The blessings of Christ Jesus indicate He has put His name on us, we are called by His name. Do you need His blessings? Are you ready to turn from sin and Satan, to give yourself wholeheartedly to Him? Here at the beginning of a new year, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you. May He lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.