Oct. 1, 2021 -- Numbers 6:22-27 -- Truly Blessed

22 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,
24 The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
27 “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”
Numbers 6:22-27 ESV

The words of the text today contain the Aaronic Blessing (specifically the v. 24-26). In our Reformed-Presbyterian tradition, worship services end with a Scriptural blessing. By His great grace God our Father has allowed me to be a minister for 28 years, and counting (October 26 is the anniversary of my ordination). One of my congregants has noted “This must be a favourite of yours, you speak the Aaronic Blessing a lot”. He was quite right. It is one of my favs. There are many reasons for this.

Notice the threefold repetition of the Name, LORD. It is a reference to the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Consider also that the LORD instructed His priests to put His Name on His people, the assurance it is not the man who is blessing the people who are gathered, it is the LORD Himself Who brings His blessing to them. Do you get the sense the LORD longs to bless His people? You should. That is what is being communicated. Are you listening? Are you receiving the great blessings He has in store for you?

Savour this today. Here’s the explanation for such meditative delight: The LORD of heaven and earth has put His Name on you! He has declared His great love for you, through the work of Jesus Christ. He is guarding you in the love of Jesus Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit.

With the prophet Micah, we declare, Who is the God like You? You delight to show mercy! You have cast all our sins into the depths of the sea and show us Your faithfulness. With the Psalmist we cry out “Blessed be the LORD, my rock, He is my steadfast love and my fortress.” With the Samaritans convinced by the testimony of the woman at the well, we call to You “we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this Jesus is the Savior of the World.” Triune God, may our words and actions, our thoughts and the things we choose not to engage in, all bring praise and honour, blessing and glory to You. Amen.

Micah 7:18 & 19, Psalm 144:1,2; John 4:42

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