“Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them,”
Context and Background:Numbers 6:23 is part of a passage known as the “Aaronic Blessing” or the “Blessing of Aaron.” This passage is found in Numbers 6:22-27 and provides instructions to Aaron and his sons, the priests, on how to bless the children of Israel. The context of this passage is during the time when the Israelites were in the wilderness, after their deliverance from Egypt and before entering the Promised Land.
The Blessing:Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV): “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
Meaning and Significance:
- The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: This phrase speaks of God’s favour and protection. It signifies that God desires to bless His people and watch over them, guarding them from harm. It demonstrates God’s care and concern for His children.
- The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: Here, the “face” of God represents His presence and favour. When God’s face shines upon someone, it symbolises His pleasure, grace, and kindness. It conveys the idea that God will bestow His mercy and favour upon the Israelites.
- The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace: “Countenance” refers to God’s attentiveness and approval. When God lifts up His countenance, it means He looks favourably upon His people and shows them His kindness. The phrase “give thee peace” signifies not only the absence of strife but also the presence of wholeness, well-being, and harmony.
Application:
- God’s Blessing and Protection:The Aaronic Blessing reminds us of God’s desire to bless and protect His people. As believers, we can trust that God watches over us, providing His favour and guarding us in all circumstances. We can find comfort in knowing that God’s hand is upon us, guiding and protecting us.
- God’s Grace and Mercy:The phrase “make his face shine upon thee” highlights God’s grace and mercy. Despite our shortcomings, God extends His favour and loving-kindness towards us. We can approach Him confidently, knowing that His grace abounds, and His mercy is readily available.
- God’s Peace:The blessing concludes with the desire for God to give peace to His people. This peace goes beyond the absence of conflict and encompasses a deep sense of well-being, wholeness, and harmony in our relationship with God. It is a peace that transcends understanding and provides assurance in the midst of life’s challenges.
- Proclaiming Blessings:The passage instructs Aaron and his sons to pronounce this blessing upon the children of Israel. It reminds us of the power and importance of speaking blessings over others. As believers, we can extend God’s blessings to those around us through our words of encouragement, prayers, and acts of kindness.
In conclusion, Numbers 6:23-27 contains the Aaronic Blessing, which is a powerful proclamation of God’s favour, protection, grace, and peace. It reminds us of God’s desire to bless His people and offers us a model for speaking blessings over others. May we embrace this blessing and extend it to those we encounter, knowing that God’s hand is upon us, His face shines upon us, and His peace dwells within us.
