Page 8 - February 2026 - Truth & Tidings

Numbers 6:22-27 Why Here?

There are several short passages or Context is always important. Preced-
verses of Scripture tucked away where ing the blessing are the verses about the
least expected. On the surface, when you separated Nazarite. The following chapter
read the famous blessing, “The LORD enumerates the gifts brought to the Lord
bless you and keep you …,” you may for the consecration of the tabernacle altar.
1
question why it appears in Numbers 6 God is showing us that we are blessed in
and not elsewhere. In this article, we will separation and consecration. This prin-
examine the content of the famous priestly ciple is taken up by Peter, who teaches that
blessing and explore why the Lord told the blessing in doing good and pursuing
Moses about the blessing at this point. a righteous life brings more blessing (1Pe
3:8-17). This blessing exists even if our
The Blessing separation leads us into suffering for righ-
The priestly blessing, or Birkat Kohahim, teousness’ sake, because “the eyes of the
was one of the responsibilities of Aaron Lord are over the righteous, and his ears
and his sons. There are three parts to the are open unto their prayers: but the face
blessing, a reminder of the triune God’s of the Lord is against them that do evil”
desire to bless man. The blessing’s first in- (v12). We enjoy the blessing God gives us
stance was with the offerings at the newly if we live righteously. What attitude do
constructed and consecrated Tabernacle we need to receive the blessing if there
(Lev 9:22-23). Later, its significance was is fear or trouble because of persecution?
emphasized by David, who reiterated that “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.”
the descendants of Aaron were respon- He is the chief example of receiving the
sible “to bless in his name forever” (1Ch blessing of God despite suffering for well-
23:13). The priests at the time of the temple doing (vv15-18).
pronounced it at the time of morning and
evening sacrifice. Thus, the people were Contents of the Blessing
2
expecting incapable Zacharias to proclaim Source of Blessing and Preservation
the blessing upon them (Luk 1:22). The “The LORD bless thee and keep thee.”
tradition of conducting this blessing con- The Lord is the source of blessing. The first
tinues today in stricter sects of Judaism. actions of God following the creation of
birds, sea creatures, man and the seventh
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV. day were to bless them (Gen 1:22,28; 2:3).
2 See Alfred Edersheim’s chapter “Morning and
Evening Sacrifice” in The Temple: Its Ministry and The Lord is the true source of blessing and
Services. also desires to bless through our submis-

40 TRUTH kTidings February 2026