When God originally established the tribes of Israel, He required the nation to set aside the firstborn of their animals and of their children as His.  In Numbers 3, as the children of Israel began their wandering in the wilderness, He substituted the tribe of Levi for the firstborn.  The Levites became the priests of God and their primary responsibilities were to teach the people God’s law, and to facilitate their offerings and sacrifices before Him.

At the end of Numbers chapter 6, God instructed Moses to recite a blessing that Aaron and his sons were to give to the people.  By extension, all of the subsequent priests were to keep this blessing in mind as they taught the nation.  “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.’  So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them” (Numbers 6:22-27, NKJV).

This blessing was to be recited by Aaron (and his priestly descendants), but the blessing was from God Himself. Think about that.  This blessing was to be upon the “children of Israel”.  You and I are spiritual Israel now – heirs of the covenant made to Abraham (Romans 4:11-12, 1 Peter 2:5-10).  The blessing of Numbers 6:22-27 was not just given to a people (who for the most part have forgotten their God) but also to you and me as His children and heirs of the promise!

Let’s look a little deeper at Numbers 6:22-27.  The blessing spoke of in verse 24 is not just something God says.  The Hebrew word for “blessing” has the meaning of “kneeling before”.  God has no reason to kneel before us as we should before Him, but this can also mean to kneel before to honor.  This can be like a parent kneeling before their child to look them in the eye, face-to-face, and to be deeply connected.  The word “keep” in this verse can also mean “to guard, to protect, or to put a hedge around”.  God promises to keep us safe – especially as it relates to our spiritual health (Psalm 91:11, 133:3, Isaiah 42:6).

In verse 25 we see that God’s face shines on us.  This is not just that we see His glory, but more intimately that He illuminates Himself to us (Psalm 119:135).  We learn more deeply who He is, what He is (1 John 4:8), what He desires for us, and that He wants us to become like Him.  He is gracious to us.  That Hebrews means to “bend or stoop in kindness”.  God is not a god that simply demands of us and He gives nothing back.  He begins our relationship with us, and He will finish the work (the conversion) He desires in us (Hebrews 12:2).

In verse 26 we see again that God shows us His face (countenance) so we can have peace.  He gives us His peace (John 14:27) so we have nothing to fear (Luke 12:32).

Through the giving of this blessing, Aaron was to remind the children of Israel that they would have God’s name upon them.  The Hebrew word for name also means “position, honor, authority, or character”.  God’s blessing is for us to become like Him, to be His children (Galatians 4:6).

If we personalize Numbers 6:24-27, it could be read this way: “The Eternal will kneel before you to guard and protect you; The Self-Existent One will reveal Himself to you so you are comforted in peace with nothing to fear.  You will reflect the authority and character I have because you will be blessed in Me.”

We have much to be thankful in what God does for us, in us, and through us.  We have His Sabbath day to ponder His plan of salvation and the role we can have serving under Him.  We can remember the humility we should have realizing what He has done, and is doing, because of His love for us.

I hope you all have a wonderful Sabbath,

Joe Greene 

Pastor for Richmond and Roanoke, VA