“The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
‘So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.’” Numbers 6:22-27
“Then the priests, the sons of Levi, shall come forward, for the Lord your God has chosen them to minister to him and to bless in the name of the Lord, and by their word every dispute and every assault shall be settled.” Deuteronomy 21:5
“The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart to dedicate the most holy things, that he and his sons forever should make offerings before the Lord and minister to him and pronounce blessings in his name forever.” 1 Chronicles 23:13
Imagine being tasked by God Almighty specifically to bless His people. What a life-giving role! And what a difference it would make today if we took this as our charge, if we became a conduit of divine blessing to those we encounter!
How exactly were the Levitical priests to bless the people of Israel? The LORD bless you. Bless: to confer or invoke divine favor upon; ask God to look favorably on. They were to pronounce holy favor upon, bathing the people in this glad approval and kindness and expectant joy at the covenant-keeping God’s abiding presence. The LORD keep you, hold and preserve your life, keep you from evil, guard you and see you through to His desired and redemptive end. The LORD make His face to shine upon you, smile upon you, light your way with the light of His face. The LORD be gracious to you, showering you with new mercies every morning, convicting and teaching and leading with His fullness of grace upon grace. The LORD lift His countenance upon you, adorning you with the glorious image of one loved, treasured, made holy. May He give you His eyes to see, His ears to hear, His expressions to respond, His words to speak. May you reflect His righteousness, beauty, and splendor. The LORD give you peace, peace that is perfect, that is not as the world gives, but is beyond human comprehension as it guards your heart and mind. (Psalm 121:3-8; Isaiah 26:3; Lamentations 3:22-23; John 1:14,16; 14:27; Philippians 4:7)
They were to put God’s holy, wondrous, powerful name upon them, and bless in His name that is above all names. His name would give authority and authenticity to the priestly pronouncements, ensuring both their source and fulfillment. (Philippians 2:9-11)
We who know Jesus are a holy priesthood, and thus we are charged to be blessers too. Are we taking notice of opportunities? Where are those insecure who need to be reminded of God’s commitment to keep them? Those ashamed, or despondent, who need a mantle of grace and the light of God’s loving smile? How are we spreading God’s peace in tangible, practical, meaningful ways? Where are we sharing the life-giving power of His name? (Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18; 1 Peter 2:9)
LORD, You have blessed me beyond measure. May I honor and bless You by blessing others you put in my path and life.
As the rain and snow 