Scripture Daily

Context No. 4181 of 4322 · Numbers

Context · Reflection

Numbers 6:21-27: in context

21“‘This is the law of the Nazirite who vows and of his offering to the LORD for his separation, in addition to that which he is able to afford. According to his vow which he vows, so he must do after the law of his separation.’” 22The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 23“Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘This is how you shall bless the children of Israel.’ You shall tell them, 24‘The LORD bless you, and keep you. 25The LORD make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you. 26The LORD lift up his face toward you, and give you peace.’ 27“So they shall put my name on the children of Israel; and I will bless them.”

God gives Aaron and the priests words to speak over his people, one of the tender blessings in all of Scripture: the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. And God adds, so shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.

This blessing reveals the heart of God toward his people. It is a heart to bless: to keep them, to look on them with favor, to be gracious, to give peace. Line by line it speaks of God's face turned toward his people in kindness, his desire for their good and their peace. And notice the final word: I will bless them. God is not reluctant to bless; blessing is his heart and his intention toward his own. When we wonder how God regards us, this blessing tells us: he looks on us with favor, longing to bless and keep his people. To rest in this, that the God who made us has set his name upon us and desires to bless us, is to be secure in his love.

Do I rest in the truth this blessing reveals, that God's heart toward his people is to bless, keep, and be gracious, his face turned toward us in kindness, longing to give us peace, so that I am secure in his love?

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