The Priestly Blessing
W. Jones. Numbers 6:23-26 Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, On this wise you shall bless the children of Israel, saying to them,… I. THE DIVINE DIRECTION. The command to pronounce the blessing may be regarded as an assurance that, when it was pronounced, the blessing itself would be given. II. THE DIVINE BENEDICTION. 1. The significant form of the benediction. (1) The triple use of the sacred Name is significant. (2) The use of the singular number in reference to the subject of the blessing is significant. 2. The Divine fulness of the benediction. "As the threefold repetition of a word or sentence serves to express the thought as strongly as possible (cf: Jeremiah 7:4; Jeremiah 22:29), the triple blessing expressed in the most unconditional manner the thought that God would bestow upon His congregation the whole fulness of the blessing enfolded in His Divine Being which was manifested as Jehovah." The blessing includes — (1) The preservation of God. "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee." Danger is implied. We are weak, inexperienced, prone to sin, exposed to temptation. What subtlety can surprise God who is infinite in intelligence? What strength can stand against Omnipotence? (2) The favour of God. "The Lord make His face shine," &c. When the Divine face is dark with frowns, distress and death ensue; when it is bright with favours, life and joy flow to man. "They perish at the rebuke of Thy countenance." 4. Cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved." There seems to be an allusion to the shining of the sun. It gives life, light, heat, beauty, power, joy. (3) The peace of God. "The Lord lift up His countenance," &c. "Shalom" — peace, "the sum of all the good which God sets, prepares, or establishes for His people." "Peace, including all that good which goes to make up a complete happiness." This great blessing is viewed as flowing from the gracious regard of God for man. Pardon, preservation, peace, an unspeakable wealth of blessing flows to man from the sovereign favour of our gracious God. III. THE DIVINE RATIFICATION. "And they shall put My name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them." The benediction was not to be the mere utterance of a pious wish; but God would give effect to it. "A Divine blessing goes along with Divine institutions, and puts virtue and efficacy into them." God will certainly bless His own ordinances unto all those who believe. (W. Jones.) Parallel Verses KJV: Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, WEB: "Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, 'This is how you shall bless the children of Israel.' You shall tell them,