The Blessing Of Jehovah
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 8/8/2010 PM |
Text: | Numbers 6:24-26 |
Psalters: | 71, 65, 88, 309 |
Applicatory to the Lord's Supper |
- The source.
- God directs Aaron (and all High Priests after him) to bless publicly the people of Israel.
- He was to stand on a high spot, lift up his hands, raise his voice, and pronounce God’s favor.
- The recipients are to receive this blessing by conscious faith.
- “Jehovah” is the source of the blessing.
- This name indicates that God gives to Israel the blessing of the fulness of His divine Being.
- The name is repeated so we focus on Him (away from ourselves and circumstances).
- The blessing is more richly defined as one of favor.
- First, “bless” means to speak well or good things, and then to cause to prosper.
- God’s good favor to us is described as God “make His face shine” and to “lift up His countenance.”
- The “face” and “countenance” (same word) refers to how one looks at another.
- “Shine” is a figure of speech referring to a most highly positive attitude, as the shining of the sun.
- The latter expression is used to indicate that God remembers His people, does not forget them.
- The positive fruit of God’s favorable attitude toward us.
- “Be gracious” is God’s favorable attitude freely given, and it is also His power to save His people.
- “Keep” refers to the preservation of us as God’s people (as the result of God’s blessing us).
- “And give thee peace.”
- The result of God’s blessing is that God’s people have the name of “Jehovah” on them (27; cf. Deut. 28:10; II Chron. 7:14).
- The ceremony of the priest’s blessing the people is not empty and useless.
- The ceremony declares the reality of the relationship: God’s people have God’s name; He identifies Himself with them.
- May the hearing of this blessing be incentive to seek His face of love looking at us - which is to have fear of God.