THE BENEDICTION

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The Priestly Blessing
The Lord spoke to Moses: “Tell Aaron and his sons how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: May Yahweh bless you and protect you; may Yahweh make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; may Yahweh look with favor on you and give you peace. In this way they will pronounce My name over the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
(Numbers 6:22-27, HCSB)
God blesses people in countless ways—spiritual, mental, emotional, and material. But the focus here is on blessing people with words. Notice that the word ““you”” is repeated six times. What are the blessings that are ours as Christians?

Six Words of Blessing to Share with Others:

1.   Verse 24, May God blesses you.
2. Verse 24, May God protects you.
3. Verse 25, May God shine on you.
4. Verse 25, May God loves you.
5. Verse 26, May God smile on you.
6. Verse 26, May God gives peace to you.

Suggestion of the Trinity:

In the blessing of verses 24–26, we see the name of the Lord repeated three times. In this, there is a suggestion of the Trinity—for in verse 24, the reference is to God the Father, in verse 25, to God the Son, and in verse 26, to God the Holy Spirit.
1.      In verse 24, we see God the Father as the Giver.
2.      In verse 25, we see God the Son as the Revealer.
3.      In verse 26, we see God the Holy Spirit as the Soother.

The Jews think there is some mystery; and we know what it is, the New Testament having explained it. There we are directed to expect the blessing from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of the Father, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, 2Co 13:14; each of which Persons is Jehovah, and yet they are not three Lords, but one Lord.

 There are three things to notice about this benediction:
  1. It was dispensed through a PRIEST. In this case the priest was Aaron (and his sons), whose hands had been stained by the blood of sacrifice (verses 22-23). All the blessings which ever come to us come on the grounds of the shed blood of Christ, typified in all the Old Testament sacrifices (Hebrews 10:10-12).
  2.  It was initially a blessing for ISRAEL, and it was the peculiar blessing of God for His own chosen people on whom He had put His name (verse 27).
  3. Today this benediction is for ALL God’s people –- not only for His people Israel, but for the Church, for all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and for – look up 2 Corinthians 1:20. It is the exclusive blessing of all believers.


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