Words

I’m still cruising in Numbers. Btw, Numbers is as much about words as it is about numbers. The first several chapters not only lay out the amounts of the various folks in their various tribes, but they also lay out some serious tasks for all of these folks. Everyone is working together in an effort to set this people apart in such a way that they reflect God back to the world. I’ll likely dwell more on that community aspect of Numbers in coming days but for now I’ve been halted by the Spirit here at the end of chapter 6 with these words in what has been called the priestly blessing.

The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

" ' "The LORD bless you
and keep you;

the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;

the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace." '

"So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."

Numbers 6:22-27

This whole priestly blessing thing is like spiritual dynamite—(read: “Dine – Oh – Might” with your best Jimmy Walker/J.J. Evans impression.)

I almost don’t want to think about it because it makes my brain hurt, it’s like every word explodes with meaning. Look at some of the short definitions of the origins of these words God had the priests say over the people.

LORD – The divine Name – “The existing one.”

Bless – to kneel, praise, adore, or cause to kneel

Keep – watch over, protect, wait for, guard, restrain

Face – presence, person

Shine – to kindle, give light, make bright, illuminate

Gracious – show favor, mercy, pity

Turn – lift up, support, aid, bear

Give – put or lay upon, appoint, ordain

Peace – completeness, soundness, friendship, wholeness

Put – Same Hebrew word as “give” above. Put or lay upon, appoint…

Name – reputation, fame, glory

What would happen if we were to pray this prayer today?

Every time we would pray this blessing it would be a call to adore this ever existing God who dares to stoop down to our level. We might recognize that God can protect, guard and restrain us when we need it. We’d know that his very illuminating presence is available in every place. We’d grasp that the divine one who always was and always will be shows us favor and bears our load, providing support and aid, even as he appoints wholeness and friendship into our lives. We might even understand that he does all of these things for his own glory.

Does that fame cause me to bow before him? To humble myself? To recognize that even the blessings of God are not really about me?

Lord, let it be true daily.