In Numbers 6, we see Moses coming to the end of his leadership as he shepherds the Hebrew people to the edge of the Promised Land. He then equips Aaron, who is the priest, in how to bless the people of Israel. The Aaronic blessing is found in Numbers 6:24-26 –
the LORD lift up his countenance and give you peace.
The word blessing means to “bow the knee”. It shows the one being blessed that they are of incredible value. Another symbol of blessing in Bible times is a coin. A coin worth was in its weight. When we bless, we are adding a weight to the person being blessed. We show them that God has a purpose and a plan for them. When we bless, we are adding value to the person’s future.
The subject in all three lines of the passage above is the LORD. He is the source of all blessing, and we are the recipients of that blessing. God is moving towards us and giving us protection.
Throughout the Psalms we see the image of God’s face shining. It is a picture of God “seeing” us or looking our direction. As he looks at you, He graces you. His countenance looks up towards you as a good Father holding up his child. In this, He give you shalom (peace). This shalom is wholeness to something that is broken.
This blessing had a purpose. Psalm 67:1-2 says, “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, THAT your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.” We are blessed to be a blessing. We can even see Jesus blessing the people at His ascension. As the Great High Priest, this Aaronic blessing is very likely what He would have spoken over the people!
As Christ followers, we must be “blessers”. If we are not blessing, then we are cursing those around us…especially our children. They need to know how much we love them and how much we see in them for Kingdom purposes.
John Trent wrote the Book The Blessing, and in it he lists out 5 critical parts of a blessing. They are:
1. Appropriate meaningful touch
2. A spoken or written message
3. Attaching high value to the one being blessed
4. Picturing a special future for him or her
5. An active commitment to fulfill the blessing
Choose to live a life of blessing! This can (and should) be a part of your daily rhythm with your people. 1 Peter 3:9 says, “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, BLESS, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”
To Discuss Today:
1. Discuss a time when you were blessed. How did that blessing impact you?
2. Did you receive your father’s blessing? What were the circumstances surrounding that relationship?
3. Who in your life have you blessed? Why did you intentionally choose to speak that blessing? What was the focus of that blessing?
4. We are all in tight quarters these days, and words matter! What do you need to say to someone that will bless them during this season of “stay at home”?
Blessings.
Pastor Patrick
