The Priestly Benediction
22 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: 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 they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
This week, Shepastor continues to reflect upon aspects of the words that the Lord spoke to Moses to give to the Priest Aaron and his sons as a blessing over Israel. These verses are known as the “Priestly Benediction.”
Our focus for today highlights the next two phrases that teach us another aspect of this blessing…
“The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you…”
“Make His face to shine upon you” (God being pleased) and “be gracious unto you,” (merciful and compassionate). God wants to bless us with a heart that desires to please Him. God is merciful and compassionate and sometimes we take that mercy and compassion for granted by adopting a “cheap grace” mentality. That is a mentality that believes that it’s ok to go against God’s way, God’s word, God’s will because after all, God is a merciful and forgiving God and God understands. That is a false interpretation of God’s mercy and compassion.
God honors and blesses the heart that genuinely declares, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” God favors those who are of a contrite heart and a humble spirit. In other words, God honors, blesses and favors the one who not only acknowledges their sin, but hates their sin, desires to distance themselves from their sin and seeks God’s grace and mercy for forgiveness and a new direction. Although we will never be perfect in this flesh, our desire should be to walk in holiness with the Lord through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Lord’s face shines upon those who humble themselves and declare unashamedly “I need thee every hour!” God desires to bless us with a heart to please Him. God wants us to know that His mercy and compassion is towards us, with us and for us.
Next week we will consider the fourth phrase of this blessing, “The Lord lift up His countenance upon you…”
Until then,
May you have a heart that desires to please God. May you bask in His mercy, compassion and love towards you!
Post a comment or send me an email at Revcsmith1@gmail.com
In faith, hope and perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org
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