The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! Numbers 6:24-26 NABRE
The book of Numbers is one of the five books of the Pentateuch, which is the name for the first five books of the Bible, coming from a Greek word meaning five rolls. The Pentateuch is often referred to as the Law, the Torah. Numbers gets its name from the opening chapter which is speaking about a census. The book of Numbers has its own way of describing how God acts toward humanity and specifically, towards the people whom He chose to be his own, Israel. Numbers discusses the people’s time in the desert, a time when they came together as a community, and were no longer a shapeless crowd as they were when the left Egypt. Their time in the desert is also the place the people experience firsthand the forgiveness and mercy of God. Despite their unfaithfulness God puts into action a plan to lead them to the Promised Land. The quoted verse is one of the earliest blessing formulas that Scripture has maintained for us. It is referred to in some psalms (cf. Psalms 31:17, 67:2) and it is used by priests in the temple liturgy. It consists of three petitions, each beginning with the name of the Lord. It prays for protection, grace and peace; three gifts which should be our aspiration and in which God alone can provide in all their fullness.
This blessing is a wonderful prayer. It not only can be used in formal liturgies but we can bless one another with this formula, wishing protection, grace and peace on one another. It is not even necessary that those we bless know we are blessing them; the blessing can be between you and God.
Do you look to bless others in your community? Do you try to bless all who you meet, even the stranger whom you only pass in public settings?
A blessing is a wonderful prayer. It not only can be used in formal liturgies but we can bless one another with this formula, wishing protection, grace and peace on one another. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity#dailybibleverse @youversion#BeAnEncourager #bless #Lord#Numbers #everybodyalways #god#jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood#dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture#bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray#prayer #goodnews #loveeachother#godisgreat #thisVineyard#youversion #everythingalways