Covenant Blessing

“And the Lord spake unto Moses saying, ‘Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.’ “ (Numbers 6:22-27. KJV)

This priestly blessing recorded in Numbers 6 was given by the Lord through Moses to the priest Aaron and his sons. The words came from God and were intended to be given through the priest from God as a blessing upon the people. It was a verbal affirmation of God’s claim upon the people and their allegiance to God. The beloved words of this priestly blessing are often repeated in worship services. Either the worship leader prays this prayer, or it is prayed in unison by pastor and people.

Reread the words in a reverent and prayerful spirit. It affirms God’s blessing upon his people, His face shining upon us, His grace extended to us, His countenance above us, and His peace with us. The postscript puts God’s name upon the people, claims them as His own. The priest led the words in Israelite worship, and the same is true in many congregations still. A priest had special and direct access to God, and the priest could be the intercessor—the go-between—from people to God and from God to people. But in Jesus Christ, each believer became his own priest. Peter declared: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (I Peter 2:9-10, NIV).

It is good that we pray scripture. The priestly covenant blessing in Numbers was given specifically by God for the people’s worship. It originated with God’s initiative. It does not ask for material blessings or focus on them. Instead, it is about inward blessings, God’s presence and power. This prayer of blessing assures us of God’s involvement in our life in seeking to make us more aware of Him and His presence, and of our attachment to Him. Paul modeled his benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:14 after the one in Numbers: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (NIV)

For prayers that guide our thoughts to Thee, we thank Thee, Lord.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Monday, November 8, 2010