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 fourth phrase, “the Lord lift up his countenance upon you…” (the Lord’s approval”). This phrase gives us even greater insight into this blessing. The term “countenance” means the look on a person’s face that shows one’s nature or feelings. We know that God is not a person but a spirit - and none of us living have seen the face of God, but by the reading of His word and the experiences of our lives, we know and understand the nature of God.
The personality of God – the way of God. God is a healer – God is a deliverer – God is a way maker – God is the source of our joy and our strength – God is all powerful – God is all knowing – God is everywhere and can do anything – God’s countenance – God’s nature. Just think about that. God instructed Aaron and his sons – the priests to bless his people by letting them know that God Himself is lifting up His nature upon them. In other words, God wants to bless us to look like Him! That’s the only way for us to get His approval.
The only way for that to happen is for us to be covered by Jesus! God knew that in order for us to look like Him, in order for us to gain His approval, God would need to pour out upon broken, depraved, sinful humanity the likeness of Himself through His son Jesus Christ. While that would not happen in the flesh for centuries later, there on Mt. Sinai, God provided a glimpse or a shadow of things to come. The sacrifices of lambs, and rams and bulls were only a shadow of that which was to come, but it served as a reminder that we serve a holy God and God wants holiness. That holiness is only made possible when we submit ourselves to be washed and made clean through the forgiveness of our sins. God desires that for us. But we’ve got to desire that for ourselves.
Through Christ, we are covered by God’s grace and mercy. He lifts up His countenance or “likeness” upon us. When God sees His reflection in us, it pleases Him. May we walk in the beauty that the Lord desires to place upon us today!
Next week is our final installment of this series, “Don’t Leave Before the Benediction.” We’ll discuss the phrase, “And give you peace…”
Post a comment or send me an email at Revcsmith1@gmail.com
Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org
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