Aaron’s Blessing
An Overview
Introduction:
This is without doubt one of the most important blessings in Scripture and in the whole of Christendom.
We often say it at the end of Church services.
Lots of people actually sang it during the pandemic.
What does it mean for us now?
During Lent 2023 we are going to dig deep into this blessing.
Read Numbers 6:22-27
The Priestly Blessing Numbers 6:22-27
22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
24 “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ 27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
What?
Every year we say to people, “We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.” We say it in cards and texts.
What is precisely going on as we say and utter such things to one another?
- What does it mean to “wish” such blessings for someone?
- How much power do such wishes have to bring about what you wish for?
- How does verse 27 make clear that this Biblical blessing is different?
- How should that encourage us to use it?
Who?
- Who was to say this blessing? (Vs 23) Aaron
- What was special about him?
- To whom was the blessing to be said? (Vs 23-27)
- In the light of this, how do we think we should use it today?
In the New Testament the priest in the first place is Jesus Himself! So, it is ‘The Lord’ who speaks this blessing today.
But those who are in Christ, who are Christians, are also priests in His church. So, each can say it as well. For we all belong to priesthood of Jesus!
It is not wrong for a church leader to use this prayer at the end of a service. They are more a priest than anu of God’s people.
The blessing is for God’s people. That is the beauty of the blessing. God Himself wishing His blessing upon His people.
How?
Does anything strike you about how the blessing is structured?
24 “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ 27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
The word “Lord” is repeated at the beginning of each line.
He, the generous, covenant-making God, who is committed to His people. He alone is the source of every real blessing, and we need to look to Him!
If you look carefully you can see that there are six blessings that ‘The Lord’ wants to impart to His people.
Each of them is a sermon of meaning. Each conveying something of the majesty of God and love for His People.
Each of which we will look at each Sunday morning in St Lawrence Church.
The word “You” is singular. It is meant for you as it is for all of us individual believers.
On two occasions Moses received the ‘Ten Commandments’ from God Himself. Moses later shared them with the nation of Israel.
Moses knew how important it was to share God’s thinking and instruction on how to live a life that could please Him.
So here Moses receives from God a blessing that he alone must pass onto Aaron who in turn must share it with the nation of Israel. (Numbers 6:22-27).
Pray.
Pray the words of this blessing for yourself and for other believers you know and pray for.
Ask God to lead you into a deeper understanding of it during this time of soul searching in Lent 2023.
Amen.
Revd Captain Mike Griffin
Ash Wednesday 2023