October 4, 2021 -- Numbers 6:24-26 -- Kept by the Triune LORD
/People loved by the Father, in the power of the Spirit: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!
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.
Numbers 6:24-26 ESV
This blessing is called the Aaronic blessing. The three-fold reference to the Name of the LORD is trinitarian. It is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit Who bless the people. Each of the six verbs, two verbs per line, is filled to overflowing with layer upon layer of rich meaning and purpose.
The LORD keep you. The verb to keep is drum-beat of Psalm 121. There the LORD watches over (another meaning of to keep) His people, guards (another shade of meaning of to keep) them day and night, and the psalm ends with the assurance it is the LORD Who keeps His people at their going out and their coming in.
Once the people of Israel had been set free from their bondage in Egypt by the Mighty Hand of the LORD, the LORD promised: “I send an angel before you to guard you on the way” (Exodus 23:20). The verb rendered guard in English, is that same verb to keep.
In the New Testament, it is the work of the Holy Spirit to guard and keep the people of God in Christ. The Holy Spirit is the deposit, the Spirit is the seal guaranteeing our eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1). As the hymn writer stated it, “How vast the benefits divine which we in Christ possess”.
I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you
and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
Psalm 145:1-5 ESV
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