Numbers 6:22-27
There are several short passages or verses of Scripture tucked away where least expected. On the surface, when you read the famous blessing, “The LORD bless you and keep you …,”1 you may question why it appears in Numbers 6 and not elsewhere. In this article, we will examine the content of the famous priestly blessing and explore why the Lord told Moses about the blessing at this point.
The Blessing
The priestly blessing, or Birkat Kohahim, was one of the responsibilities of Aaron and his sons. There are three parts to the blessing, a reminder of the triune God’s desire to bless man. The blessing’s first instance was with the offerings at the newly constructed and consecrated Tabernacle (Lev 9:22-23). Later, its significance was emphasized by David, who reiterated that the descendants of Aaron were responsible “to bless in his name forever” (1Ch 23:13). The priests at the time of the temple pronounced it at the time of morning and evening sacrifice.2 Thus, the people were expecting incapable Zacharias to proclaim the blessing upon them (Luk 1:22). The tradition of conducting this blessing continues today in stricter sects of Judaism.
Why Here?
Context is always important. Preceding the blessing are the verses about the separated Nazarite. The following chapter enumerates the gifts brought to the Lord for the consecration of the tabernacle altar. God is showing us that we are blessed in separation and consecration. This principle is taken up by Peter, who teaches that the blessing in doing good and pursuing a righteous life brings more blessing (1Pe 3:8-17). This blessing exists even if our separation leads us into suffering for righteousness’ sake, because “the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (v12). We enjoy the blessing God gives us if we live righteously. What attitude do we need to receive the blessing if there is fear or trouble because of persecution? “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.” He is the chief example of receiving the blessing of God despite suffering for well-doing (vv15-18).
Contents of the Blessing
Source of Blessing and Preservation
“The LORD bless thee and keep thee.” The Lord is the source of blessing. The first actions of God following the creation of birds, sea creatures, man and the seventh day were to bless them (Gen 1:22,28; 2:3). The Lord is the true source of blessing and also desires to bless through our submission. Jacob learned blessing’s origin while attempting to wrestle a blessing from the man in the night. It was when he clung, refusing to let go, that God blessed him. He discovered his bout was with God (Gen 32:24-31). How amazing to have a God who is the spring of blessing, desiring to dispense it when we abide in Him!
The Lord is our preserver. Again, looking to the Garden of Eden, the charge to the man was to “dress it and to keep it” (Gen 2:15). Adam relied on himself amid temptation, contaminating the creation he was instructed to keep. An independent attempt to preserve our stewardship or self is futile apart from God’s preserving hand. Our perfect example is our Lord Jesus Christ, who trusted His God always, but notably during the test in the wilderness to “keep [him] in all [his] ways” (Psa 91:11). Jude reminds his readers of “him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (v24). He is the God who keeps us.
The Lord’s Presence and Its Implication
“The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious to thee.” The face speaks expressly of the Lord’s presence. The word “shine” is the common Hebrew word for “light,” and imagines God’s blessing bringing gracious illumination. The expression “face shine” occurs nine times in the OT. The presence of God may bring blessing or destruction. For example, when the Lord returns in glory, “all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up … but unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings” (Mal 4:1-2). This blessing envisions God’s goodness shining forth from His presence in our present lives. How good it is to know the blessing of God via His presence. He is the God of all grace (1Pe 5:10).
The Lord’s Power and Peace
“The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” There is a repeated mention of the Lord’s presence, emphasizing the importance of understanding that the Lord is the source of blessing. We are dependent upon the Lord to lift His eyes upon us to display His power to bless us, like when He saw the hungry multitude and provided bread and fish for them (Joh 6:5). The end goal of God in displaying His blessing is to bring us peace, whereas the multitude saw the power but refused the peace when the Lord’s words were difficult. Five times He is called the God of peace (e.g., Rom 15:33).
Reality, Not Theory
“And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.” The final verse assured the sons of Israel that if they associated themselves with the Lord, He would bless them. They must bow to His will, like the Nazarite in separation, and the conditional blessing would come. The Nazarite vow is not one for us to take today, but every believer should be holy to the Lord. Are we devoted to the Lord’s cause? Believers of this dispensation are blessed with “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph 1:3), but do we enjoy them through living spiritual lives? If blessing from God seems more like theory than reality, we ought to check our lives, the condition of the assembly, or simply consider how the Bible defines blessing. Ask the Lord to teach us to understand blessing and bless like He promises, or to reveal what must occur to have His name upon us.
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV.
2 See Alfred Edersheim’s chapter “Morning and Evening Sacrifice” in The Temple: Its Ministry and Services.
