A New Year’s Blessing

Numbers 6:22-27. "A New Year's Blessing". Ajax Alliance Church. New Year's Day. Sunday January 1st, 2023. Numbers 6:22-23. 22 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 23 "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, 24 The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. 27 "So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them." (ESV) The Beginning of a new year is a period of reflection and expectation. It is a time where people reflect on the events over the past year and look forward in expectation to what is to come. If we come to the opinion that our experience over this year is due to human work, good or bad luck, then there is little to be learned or assured of for this coming year. But if our reflection sees God's hand and learns from His direction, then we can properly move forward in wisdom and hope. Numbers 6 transitions a section of individual blessing to collective hope. It recognizes God as the source of direction and blessing and recommits the people of God to following His direction. Through confidence in His word and faithfulness to it we can be at peace, assured of His gracious presence and being in His will. This section is a benediction. In the liturgical tradition of Israel (and of the Church) the blessing (or benediction) concludes the service of worship and serves as a promise of God's blessing on the worshipers as they go into the world (Ashley, T. R. (1993). The Book of Numbers (p. 149). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.) As we head into the world of 2023, Numbers 6:22-27 is a fitting conclusion to 2022 and it offers for us A New Year's Blessing showing how God blesses by giving 3 things: 1) His Proclamation (Num. 6:22-23), 2) His Presence (Num. 6:24-25) and 3) His Peace (Num. 6:26-27) God blesses by giving: 1) His Proclamation (Num. 6:22-23) Numbers 6:22-23. 22 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 23 "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, (ESV) The only way we can proceed into the future assured of God's blessing is to have an external source of direction. God does not merely wish us well for the future, but gives us a word of direction that we can learn from and base our actions on. That is why our text records that "the LORD spoke to Moses". As the people of God left Egypt and journeyed to the Promised Land, they needed to know that God was with them. In 1986 archaeologists working in a burial site in the Hinnom Valley area of Jerusalem discovered two pieces of women's jewelry with portions of this benediction engraved upon them. Experts estimate that the amulets were made within the few decades preceding or following 600 B.C. The inscription provides rare extrabiblical testimony to the importance of a liturgical expression from the Bible in the lives of everyday Israelites (Sakenfeld, K. D. (1995). Journeying with God: a commentary on the book of Numbers (p. 43). Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.; Handsel Press Ltd.). * You often hear people say that they wish the Lord would just speak to them about what to do. Best thing to realize heading into 2023 is that we have a sure word for direction from God in His word as we move forward. Please turn to Genesis 12 The thrice-mentioned LORD (YHWH), ...serves to heighten the emphasis that the God of Israel is the source of all grace, blessing, hope, and peace. This spiritual significance is surely that it is the one who is wholly separated unto God who can bless others in His name. In the spiritual realm it is always such lives that tell for Him. It was because Joseph, Samuel, and John the Baptist were set apart for God that they were made a blessing to their day and generation. Just as it is by one Man's obedience many are made righteous (Rom. 5:19), so also it is by the separation of the few that the many are blessed. (Philip, J., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1987). Numbers (Vol. 4, p. 80). Thomas Nelson Inc.) This passage reiterates the great covenant blessing of Genesis 12:1-3, thereby providing continuity with that Pentateuchal foundational element. Genesis 12:1-3. Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."(ESV) * This divine speech sets the agenda not only for Abram's life but also for his descendants. This explains how divine blessing will be mediated through Abram to all the families of the earth. The repetition of the verb bless (vv. 2-3) underscores the hope that through Abram people everywhere may experience God's favor, reversing the curses from sin found in Gen. 3-11.. God's invitation to Abram challenges him to abandon the normal sources of personal identity and security: his family and country. To obey, Abram must trust God implicitly; all human support is largely removed. The promised outcomes are conditional on Abram's obedience. * Although Abram is called to be a blessing to others, much rests on how they treat him. Those who are positive toward Abram will experience God's favor; the one who despises Abram will know God's displeasure. Yet God desires to bless. The inclusion of all the families of the earth anticipates the spread of the gospel and salvation in Christ to the ends of the earth (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Gal. 3:8). ( Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 71). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.). * Those who learn from and head God's word will be blessed (Dt. 28:1-14). Those who disregard that word, following human wisdom for human approval will experience his cursing, culminating in His wrath (Dt. 28:15-68) To understand how to move forward, we need to learn how to learn from the past. Beginning now in verse 23, the conclusion to the first cycle of the Book of Numbers, and the purification and priestly section of the cycle, is an anticipatory benediction or blessing to be pronounced by Aaron and his sons over the people of Israel. What is blessing? What are we talking about? When God created the world, six times in Genesis 1, after he created light and animals and other things, it says, "... and God saw that it was good." The word benediction is Latin for good word, the word good. Bene means good. Diction means word. The good word (Keller, T. J. (2013). The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive. Redeemer Presbyterian Church.). In contrast to the preceding context of the Nazirite vow in Numbers 6 which was is a rite restricted to individuals, the words of the Aaronic Benediction are expansive and gracious, and they are inclusive of the whole community. (These are God's words to Moses to be pronounced through Aaron to the people) (F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor's Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, p. 754). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.) * It is no accident that this blessing is recorded in the Word next to the Nazirite law. Holiness and blessing are inseparable. Indeed the blessing of God precedes our desire to do His will, undergirds our present obedience and rewards and reinforces us for future discipleship (Keddie, G. J. (1992). According to Promise: The Message of the Book of Numbers (p. 48). Darlington, England: Evangelical Press.). Poem: (6725 Just One Request). Think of what we can ask for this year. One poet expressed it like this: "Dear Master for this coming year Just one request I bring: I do not pray for happiness, Or any earthly thing-I do not ask to understand The way Thou leadest me, But this I ask: Teach me to do The thing that pleaseth Thee. I want to know Thy guiding voice, To walk with Thee each day. Dear Master make me swift to hear And ready to obey. And thus the year I now begin A happy year will be- If I am seeking just to do The thing that pleaseth Thee." (Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 1486). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.) Second, God blesses by giving 2) His Presence (Num. 6:24-25) Numbers 6:24-25 24 The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; (ESV) Blessing in the Pentateuch and more particularly in the Book of Numbers, as here in Numbers 6:24 includes numerous descendants, fruitful land, good health, long life, protection from enemies, and God's abiding presence. Although praying that the LORD would bless you often appears in the Old Testament with regard to physical and material prosperity, but it can also reflect growth in character and spiritual integrity (Currid, J. D. (2009). A Study Commentary on Numbers (p. 110). Darlington, England; Carlisle, PA: Evangelical Press.). * Regardless of what our desires might be for 2023, if there is growth in character through spiritual integrity, in whatever we do, it will glorify God and it will be a blessing. The people also lived under the protective umbrella of his mighty hand and outstretched arm. They had experienced his deliverance from the terrible bondage of Egypt, as well as his provision and protection thus far through the wilderness, and that aspect of his blessing would keep/guard them throughout their lives for generations to come. God is also faithful to keep (šmr) his covenant with his people and his steadfast covenant loyalty and love (ḥeseḏ) with them (Deut. 7:12; Neh. 1:9; 9:32; etc.), not because he must but because of his grace (Ashley, T. R. (1993). The Book of Numbers (p. 152). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.) * How can we enter this coming year with confidence? The same God, who does not change, that sustained us throughout this past year, will continue to guide and provide as we are faithful to Him. The metaphor in Numbers 6:25, portraying God's face as light shining upon his people occurs in numerous biblical and extrabiblical texts. In Psalm 80 the phrase "Restore us, O God [Almighty]; / make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved" functions as a refrain in a context of a plea for God to deliver his people from oppression. In Ps 44:3 the psalmist praises God for victory that was accomplished over the enemies of God's children "by your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them." Therefore, when God smiles on his people, they can be sure that he will be gracious to them, that is, he will deliver them from all their troubles. He will answer their prayers and save them from their enemies, sickness and sin (Pss. 4:1; 6:2; 41:4; 51:1). (Wenham, G. J. (1981). Numbers: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 4, p. 102). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.) Grace' describes the attitude that issues in kindly action of a superior party to an inferior one in which the inferior has no claim on the superior. God extends his graciousness out of his steadfast covenant love (ḥesed) and self-determined will to bless whom He desires (Exod 33:19). While these words are directed to the entire community, the pronouns are singular. This is characteristic of covenantal language: The Lord blesses the whole by blessing the individuals; he blesses the individuals by blessing the whole. (In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor's Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, p. 754). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.) * They are the message of forgiveness for repentant past sins. Mistakes made in 2022 do not therefore have to weigh us down into 2023. Please turn to Psalm 67 Yahweh's blessing upon his faithful people Israel was in turn to be an instrument of blessing upon the nations of the world (Gen 12:3; 22:18). From the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to their children's children, and to the ends of the earth, the purpose of Yahweh's blessing of Israel was a worldwide mission of blessing and hope. Psalm 67:1-2 provides an extension of this theme of blessing in the Book of Numbers: Psalm 67:1-7 1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah 2 that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah 5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! 6 The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. 7God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him! (ESV) * Verse 1 of Psalm 67 adapts the priestly blessing (Num. 6:24-26: and follows it with a purpose clause: the goal for which the congregation prays for God's blessing is that God's way may be known on earth-specifically, that his saving power might be known among all nations. God called Abram both to bless him and his descendants and to make them a vehicle of blessing to the Gentiles (Gen. 12:2-3). This happens through fearing God which means to hold him and his word in reverence, a disposition of true faith (e.g., 5:7; 15:4; 25:12).( Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 1017). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.) * If we begin the year with a laundry list of personal desires, God will neither grant them nor bless us. Yet if we start with an objective of worshiping Him and making Him known, they He will grant whatever we need to accomplish this aim. Poem: 6731 His Unfailing Presence Another year I enter, Its history unknown; Oh, how my feet would tremble To tread its paths alone! But I have heard a whisper, I know I shall be blest; "My presence shall go with thee, And I will give thee rest." What will the New Year bring me? I may not, must not know; Will it be love and rapture, Or loneliness and woe? Hush! Hush! I hear His whisper; I surely shall be blest; "My presence shall go with thee, And I will give thee rest."( Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 1487). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.) Finally, God blesses by giving 3) His Peace (Num. 6:26-27) Numbers 6:26-27 26 the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. 27 "So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them." (ESV) The third and final colon of the Priestly Benediction invokes in a consummate expression God's grace and beneficence. Yahweh's lifting of his countenance/face, is an expression referring His pleasure and affection, functionally equivalent to 'smile.' (S. Ahituv, "The Countenance of Yahweh" (Hebrew), in Tehillah Le-Moshe: Biblical and Judaic Studies in Honor of Moshe Greenberg, ed. M. Cogan, B. L. Eichler J. H. Tigay (Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 1997): 3-12.) * God sees everything that goes on in their lives: every threat, every temptation, every trial. The (faithful) believer has the attention of God and the approval and pleasure of God. ... He is their helper in all things (Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (1996). Numbers (p. 81). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.). The majestic smile of God upon the community of faith and each constituent individual will bring abiding and ultimate peace. The Lord's presence is radiating divine favor in the midst of His people and that as a result they can confidently expect Him to pour out His covenant mercies upon them. This peace can be described variously as completeness, unity, well-being, prosperity, health, security, and wholeness. The peace that is bestowed upon redeemed humanity by the light of God's countenance surpasses finite human comprehension. The ultimate expression of peace for humanity came through Jesus Christ, who brought us peace with God through his suffering (Isa 53:5). The announcement of the host of angels at the birth of Christ brought a message of peace to those upon whom God's favor rests (Luke 2:14). In the context of the promise of the Holy Spirit, Jesus reminded his disciples of the kind of peace God shines upon his children: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and be not afraid" (John 14:27). The Hebrew word šālôm (lit., "shalom"; "peace") is here seen in its most expressive fullness, not just as an absence of war, but as the positive state of rightness and the fullness of well being. This kind of peace comes only from the Lord. (In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor's Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, p. 755). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.) * What are we most looking for in this new year? If our first answer is anything other than God Himself, we will never achieve peace. If we seek peace in having more free time, travel, companionship, rewards at work or whatever apart from God Himself, then these otherwise good endeavors will be empty and not satisfy. * Therefore political, economic, social or any other endeavor that seeks regional, economic, or world peace, apart from submission to Christ and His rule, will fail. Before this point, the pronouns in this benediction are singular, meaning that God's blessings come to us personally; but there is a plural pronoun in Numbers 6:27, "I will bless them." God blesses the nation by blessing individuals, and by blessing the nation, He blesses the world. God promised Abraham, "I will bless you ... and you will be a blessing" (Gen. 12:2). We bless the world by sharing God's truth, often one person at a time (Wiersbe, W. W. (1999). Be counted (p. 29). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub.). Please turn to Deuteronomy 28 The first Sinai cycle concludes with a reminder of the relationship Yahweh has with his people Israel. The uniting themes of identity and relationship, blessing and abundance through his Name are echoed by the words of Deut. 28:8-11, where the blessing turns outward toward the nations: Deuteronomy 28:8-11 8 The LORD will command the blessing on you in your barns and in all that you undertake. And he will bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. 9 The LORD will establish you as a people holy to himself, as he has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. 10 And all the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you. 11 And the LORD will make you abound in prosperity, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your livestock and in the fruit of your ground, within the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. (ESV) * The blessings of Deut 28:1-14 were set in the context of diligent obedience to the covenant stipulations. The benediction of Numbers 6 concludes a cycle of material focused on the faithful, unified community of God's people, with the symbolic presence of God in the tabernacle as center. In the New Testament, Jesus said that he came in the Father's Name (John 5:43) and performed miracles in his father's name (John 10:25), living out the Name to the fullest, and said that the greatest priority in prayer should be that the Father's name be regarded as holy (Mt. 6:9) . To the apostles the Name of Jesus was the ultimate transcending name (Phil 2:9), the source of salvation (Rom 10:13), and the power of health and healing (Acts 3:6; 4:9). The name of the Lord represents His person and character. The priests were to call for God to dwell among His people and meet all their needs. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nu 6:27). Thomas Nelson Publishers.) * That's the answer to having our needs met this year. As God dwells among us, He promises to meet our needs and then some through the fullness of who He is. Jesus Himself is our peace. In Jesus we now receive God's blessing. Now my sin and faithlessness has been fully paid for. Now Jesus has been raised up from the dead and exalted to the right hand of the Father. He has returned once again to the Father's favor and has been given the name above every name, never again to be separated from his blessing. What is more, where he is, there shall we also be. Now the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ will certainly bless us and keep us, for his sake. Now I know that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38, 39). Now we know that the Father looks on us with pleasure, and his face lights up every time he sees us because he sees us through Jesus. The Father sees us in his Son whom he loves. As Christians, we have the name of Jesus written indelibly on our soul, and so the Father delights to bless us in Christ with every spiritual blessing, for his sake (Ephesians 1:3). God's face is turned toward us in Christ, and no matter what we encounter in life, it can never, ever be turned away from us (Duguid, I. M., & Hughes, R. K. (2006). Numbers: God's presence in the wilderness (p. 94). Crossway Books.). What then does God desire for us in 2023? That His name be great among us. If that is the case, then we will submit to His will for His names sake. We will consider others before ourselves, which will praise His name. We will declare His goodness to others, which will glorify His name throughout all the earth. If His name comes before our own name, or ever before the name of our Church, then He will bless in 2023. You live by the blessing of God. Give it, and seek more of it. Let's pray: "Our Father, we thank you that we can bless one another because you blessed us. We really want to be a church filled with people who, through praising and affirming and opening and connecting and naming the people around us, build other people up because you've built us up. So Father, we do thank you for your benediction. We thank you for how you achieved it, and we pray that (as we now come into 2023) you would help us to live as people who know it. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen". (Keller, T. J. (2013). The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive. Redeemer Presbyterian Church.) (Format Note: Some base commentary from Cole, R. D. (2000). Numbers (Vol. 3B, pp. 127-133). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.) Closing Hymn: "Be Thou My Vision" Benediction: The triune God gladly grants these blessings to each of us...God the Father, Creator and Preserver, bless and keep us! Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord, make your face shine upon us and be gracious to us! Holy Spirit, Sanctifier and Counselor, turn your face toward us and give us peace! AMEN (Kuske, P. W. (2002). Numbers (2nd ed., p. 64). Northwestern Pub. House).