We are to Bless

22The 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;

25the Lord make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

26the 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.” (Numbers 6:22-27)

Thoughts: This is a great passage.  It tells us about blessing, and reminds us that God wants to bless His people and He does it through us.  It is not that we have the power to bless, but it also does not mean that human beings should not ever bless.  We bless in the name of the Lord- "The Lord bless you."  What right do we have to say this?  Here it is evident that believers are called to be instruments of God's blessing.  We do not bless in and of ourselves, it is the Lord who blesses us.  But we speak the words of God's blessing.  We give the benediction (literally "words of blessing" eulogia in Greek).  

The Lord bless you and keep you- is asking God to pour favor on us and to preserve us from evil hurt and harm.
       The Lord make his face shine on you- as the sun shines and lights up our world, so we are wanting God's presence to rise upon us.
          "And be gracious to us" means that God pours His unmerited favor- and gifts on us.
          "The Lord turn his face toward you" is similar to "make his face shine on you."  It means that God does not ignore us, but pays attention to us- cares for us.  A king could turn his back on a subject that comes for a request.
          "Give you peace" is a reminder that God is a giver of peace.  But it is also a reminder that we are to seek peace and pursue it.  Peace is not just a personal peace- peace of heart- but shalom- a peace of wholeness and completeness- peace with God, others, and ourselves.  God is the only One who can give us this shalom- a whole peace. 

Prayer: Lord, bless me and keep me.  make your face to shine upon me and be gracious to me; turn your face toward me and give me your peace.  Bless me, O Lord, that I may pass your blessing on to others.