The Benediction October 14 07

The Benediction

Aaron’s Blessing

Numbers 6:22-27

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Introduction:  Every Sunday, almost without fail, I give Aaron’s blessing, the benediction over the church. Why do I do this?  What is it about?  Why is it important that you receive the benediction of the Lord?  Today we will take a few minutes and talk about this benediction in Numbers chapter 6 verses 22-27.

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, 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. “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.””(Numbers 6:22-27, ESV) [1]

The purpose of this prayer is very clear: The Lord our God want to invest his people with His Name.  To give us his name, is to give us Himself.  Aaron’s blessing is a petition that God will live among his people and that He will meet all of our needs.

Even the placement of the prayer in Numbers is important: it comes after the Nazirite law and just before the offering of the princes—which in this placement says that God will not favor a group, but wants to bless ALL of His people, He wants to invest His Name on ALL of His people.  This is just very critical that each of us here to day understand this concept that God shows no favoritism—but his desire is for ALL of His people.

1.     The Lord Bless You and Keep You—The Blessing of God is God’s Goodness in Action—His action is that we are to have Every Spiritual Blessing (the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit) from HIM—this is also confirmed to us in Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…”  Spiritual blessings are those blessings which are internalized in us so that we can live life to it’s fullest, and to go through every trial, tribulation, and situation knowing that God has equipped us to handle every single situation and problem IN Jesus Christ our Lord.  The second part of these spiritual blessings is that God will keep us—He preserve us from the evils of the world, the  Lord protect us (Gives us His Divine Protection)—“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4, ESV)

2.     The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you—the manifestation of His Glory and Grace turned toward us so that literally He shines his glory and grace upon us—He gives us his complete favor—we are the apple of His eye, His chosen people.

3.     The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace—and finally when God has turned toward us (his countenance) it means that He is making available to us, all of His resources for every situation that we might face or are currently facing.

The great Bible commentator Warren Wiresbe in his commentary BE COUNTED says, “Peace (shalom) is one of the great words in the Hebrew vocabulary, and it means much more than the absence of storm and trouble around us. It involves quietness of heart within us, spiritual health and spiritual prosperity, adequacy for the demands of life, and the kind of spiritual well-being that rises above circumstances.”  Wiresbe goes on to quote George Morrison who defined peace as the possession of adequate resources.     

This is what Paul had in mind when he wrote Philippians 4:6-20 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Philippians 4:6-20, ESV)

God gives us himself and in so doing, he bless us,  he keeps, he makes his face shine on us, he  lifts up his countenance on us, and he gives us his peace.

Paul says it beautifully in Romans 8 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31, ESV) [2]

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[1]  The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

[2]  The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.