God's Special Blessing

TEXT: Numbers 6:22-27

TOPIC: GOD’S SPECIAL BLESSING

BIBLE SURVIVOR SERIES, Message 13

Pastor Bobby Earls, First Baptist Icard, December 2, 2001

Have you ever noticed how many ways we offer to bless others? We say things like, “have a good day! Be careful now! Have a good one! Bless you! Sometimes we just come out and say it, “The Lord bless you now!”

All of that comes from the Bible and the book called Numbers. In fact, you can find what some have called the Lord’s Prayer of the Old Testament, tucked away at the close of chapter 6.

NUMBERS 6:22-27, NKJV

22 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 23“Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:

24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;

25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.” ’

27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”

First of all, notice three truths about God’s Special Blessing here in Numbers 6.

It was administered through a Priest.

In this case the priest was Aaron, Moses’ brother, (along with his sons) whose hands had been stained with the blood of sacrifice. We learn this from verses 22-23. All the blessings that ever come to us come on the basis of shed blood.

It was intended for God’s choice people, Israel.

This special benediction was originally intended for God’s own chosen people Israel upon whom He had put His name, (verse 27).

It is available for all of God’s children today.

Today this benediction is available for all of God’s people. It is not only for Israel, but for the Church, for all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not for everyone, that is not for unbelievers, but exclusively reserved for those who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Some see in this passage the blessing of the Triune God. God the Father is the source of all blessing. The Lord Jesus is the One who makes His face to shine upon us. The Holy Spirit lifts up His countenance upon us and gives us peace.

The triune God gives them this blessing. The census has been taken, and they all know their pedigree. The standards have been raised; so they all know where they belong. They are to follow their standard, and they are to camp in their assigned place in the camp with their own tribe and their own family. The camp has been cleansed. Now the Lord blesses them. [1]

I. GOD’S SPECIAL BLESSING PROVIDES PROTECTION FROM EVIL, Numbers 6:24 “bless you and keep you”

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Ephesians 1:3, NKJV

Forgiveness, abundant living, love, joy, peace, mercy, grace, and eternal life, a just a few of God’s special blessings for His children.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

Matthew 6:13, KJV

II. GOD’S SPECIAL BLESSING PROVIDES PARDON FROM SIN, Numbers 6:25 “and be gracious to you.”

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5, KJV

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.Amen. Jude 24-25

But even so, you love me! You are holding my right hand! 24 You will keep on guiding me all my life with your wisdom and counsel, and afterwards receive me into the glories of heaven! Psalm 73:23-24, The Living Bible

III. GOD’S SPECIAL BLESSING PROVIDES PEACE FOR LIFE, Numbers 6:26 “and give you peace.”

The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm. So always trust the Lord because he is forever our mighty rock.. Isaiah 26:3-4, CEV

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7, The New Living Translation

[1]J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible commentary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1981 by J. Vernon McGee.

FBI Sermon Notes

TEXT: Numbers 6:22-27

TOPIC: GOD’S SPECIAL BLESSING

BIBLE SURVIVOR SERIES, Message 13

Pastor Bobby Earls, First Baptist Icard, December 2, 2001

NUMBERS 6:22-27, NKJV

22 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 23“Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:

24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;

25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.” ’

27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”

Three truths about God’s Special Blessing of Numbers 6

It was administered through a Priest.

It was intended for God’s choice people, Israel.

It is available for all of God’s children today.

I. GOD’S SPECIAL BLESSING PROVIDES PROTECTION FROM EVIL, 6:24 “bless you and keep you”

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Ephesians 1:3, NKJV

Forgiveness, abundant living, love, joy, peace, eternal life, _______________, __________________. __________________

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

Matthew 6:13, KJV

II. GOD’S SPECIAL BLESSING PROVIDES PARDON FROM SIN, 6:25 “and be gracious to you.”

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:3-5, KJV

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.Amen. Jude 24-25

But even so, you love me! You are holding my right hand! 24 You will keep on guiding me all my life with your wisdom and counsel, and afterwards receive me into the glories of heaven!

Psalm 73:23-24, The Living Bible

III. GOD’S SPECIAL BLESSING PROVIDES PEACE FOR LIFE, 6:26 “and give you peace.”

The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm. So always trust the Lord because he is forever our mighty rock..

Isaiah 26:3-4, CEV

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7, The New Living Translation