The Priestly Blessing OfThe Priestly Blessing OfNumbers 6:22-27Numbers 6:22-27

The Israelites were receiving The Israelites were receiving God’s law God’s law at at Mt. Sinai on their journey (Ex. 20 – Num. 10)Mt. Sinai on their journey (Ex. 20 – Num. 10)

The Israelites would receive The Israelites would receive God’s God’s lovingkindnesslovingkindness in Canaan if they obeyed in Canaan if they obeyed God’s law (Num. 6:22-27)God’s law (Num. 6:22-27)

““The Lord”, repeated three times, makes it The Lord”, repeated three times, makes it clear that he is the source of all blessingsclear that he is the source of all blessings

““You” is singular, addressing each faithful You” is singular, addressing each faithful IsraeliteIsraelite

Faithful Christians are the Lord’s priests Faithful Christians are the Lord’s priests today (1 Pet. 2:5-9)today (1 Pet. 2:5-9)

Faithful Christians are the “Israel of God” Faithful Christians are the “Israel of God” today (Gal. 6:16)today (Gal. 6:16)

The priestly blessing encouraged the The priestly blessing encouraged the Israelites before they journeyed and it Israelites before they journeyed and it does the same for us on our journey (Heb. does the same for us on our journey (Heb. 12:1-2)12:1-2)

The Lord stands ready to “bless” his people; a demonstration of his kindness toward them; to make them prosper in all areas of their life (Psa. 5:11-12; 67:1-7; 115:12-14)

The Lord’s blessings are conditional: obedience (Lev. 26:3ff; Deut. 28:1-3)

Faithful Christians today are blessed by the Lord (Acts 3:26; Eph. 1:3)

The Lord stands ready to “keep” his people; a demonstration of the guarding and protecting of the Lord’s people (Psa. 91:10-13; 121:1-8)

The Lord’s protection is conditional: trust and refuge (Psa. 91:1-9,14-16)

Faithful Christians today are kept by the Lord (Phil. 4:7; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 13:5-6; 1 Pet. 1:5; Jude 24)

The Lord’s “face” shining upon his people is The Lord’s “face” shining upon his people is an act of divine and benevolent approval an act of divine and benevolent approval toward them; to look with pleasure or favor toward them; to look with pleasure or favor upon (Psa. 31:16; 67:1; 80:3,7,19; 119:135)upon (Psa. 31:16; 67:1; 80:3,7,19; 119:135)

The Lord’s “face” is hidden from those whom The Lord’s “face” is hidden from those whom he disapproves (Deut. 31:17-18)he disapproves (Deut. 31:17-18)

Faithful Christians today have the approval Faithful Christians today have the approval of the Lord (1 Pet. 3:10-12)of the Lord (1 Pet. 3:10-12)

The Lord stands ready to “be gracious” The Lord stands ready to “be gracious” toward his people (Psa. 77:9)toward his people (Psa. 77:9)

Faithful Christians today are graced by Faithful Christians today are graced by the Lord (Jn. 1:17; 2 Cor. 13:14; Heb. the Lord (Jn. 1:17; 2 Cor. 13:14; Heb. 13:20-21,25)13:20-21,25)

The Lord stands ready to “lift up his The Lord stands ready to “lift up his countenance” upon his people; to pay countenance” upon his people; to pay them special attention and a favorable them special attention and a favorable attitude (Psa. 4:6; 34:15; 42:5; 44:3; attitude (Psa. 4:6; 34:15; 42:5; 44:3; 89:15)89:15)

Faithful Christians today will receive the Faithful Christians today will receive the favorable attitude of the Lord (2 Thess. favorable attitude of the Lord (2 Thess. 2:16; 1 Pet. 5:10)2:16; 1 Pet. 5:10)

The Lord stands ready to give “peace” to The Lord stands ready to give “peace” to his troubled people; well-being, his troubled people; well-being, wholeness, health, prosperity, and wholeness, health, prosperity, and salvation; all God’s good gifts (Psa. salvation; all God’s good gifts (Psa. 16:11; 29:11; 37:11)16:11; 29:11; 37:11)

Faithful Christians today are granted Faithful Christians today are granted peace from the Lord (Eph. 2:14ff; Phil. peace from the Lord (Eph. 2:14ff; Phil. 4:4-7)4:4-7)

The Lord’s “name” (not just letters or a The Lord’s “name” (not just letters or a sound) upon Israel shows they alone sound) upon Israel shows they alone belong to the Lord out of all the nations belong to the Lord out of all the nations (Deut. 28:10; 2 Sam. 7:23)(Deut. 28:10; 2 Sam. 7:23)

The Lord’s “name” is conditional: trust The Lord’s “name” is conditional: trust (Psa. 9:10) (Psa. 9:10)

Faithful Christians today are given the Faithful Christians today are given the Lord’s “name” (Jas. 2:7; Rev. 3:12; 22:4)Lord’s “name” (Jas. 2:7; Rev. 3:12; 22:4)

Let us live thankfully each day for the Let us live thankfully each day for the Lord’s blessing, protection, approval, Lord’s blessing, protection, approval, graciousness, countenance, and peacegraciousness, countenance, and peace

Let us live confidently each day knowing Let us live confidently each day knowing that the Lord stands ready to help usthat the Lord stands ready to help us

Let us live faithfully each day so that we Let us live faithfully each day so that we can receive these great blessing from the can receive these great blessing from the LordLord

670