NUMBERS: MOVING FORWARD AS GOD’S PEOPLE

Part II: God’s Sanctifying His People, Numbers 5:1-10:10

C. God’s Edifying Blessing Of His People

(Numbers 6:22-27)

I. Introduction

A. “The principal lesson of Numbers is that God’s people must walk by faith, trusting His promises, if they are to move forward” (Ryrie Study Bible, KJV, 1978, “Introduction to the Book of Numbers: Theme,” p. 206), so avoiding spiritual stagnation and moving forward makes Numbers a timeless book for all God’s people!

B. We thus view Numbers 6:22-27 on God’s edifying blessing of His people as they move forward:

II. God’s Edifying Blessing Of His People, Numbers 6:22-27.

A. After God organized His people (Num. 1:1-4:49), after He called them to separate from sin (Num. 5:1-31) and after He encouraged them to be consecrated to Him (Num. 6:1-21), He set the blessing the priests were to give His people (Num. 6:22-27). God’s blessing comes if we heed His order for us, if we are cleansed from sin and if we are consecrated to Him (J. Vernon McGee, Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee, 1981, vol. I, p. 470).

B. That divine blessing for God’s people was both comprehensive and rich (as follows), Numbers 6:22-27 NIV:

1. The priest was to say first, “The Lord bless you” (Numbers 6:24a NIV), and we explain:

a. “Bless” renders the Hebrew verb barak that in the Old Testament meant “‘to endue with power for success, prosperity, fecundity, longevity, etc.’” (H. A. W., Theol. Wrdbk. of the O. T., 1980, vol. I, p. 132)

b. The verb is in the volitional jussive form, so it reads, “May the Lord bless you” (Kittel, Bib. Heb., p. 201).

c. The priest was thus to call upon God to provide for all the worshiper needed for his livelihood and welfare.

2. Then, the priest was to add, “. . . and keep you” (Numbers 6:24b NIV), and we explain:

a. “Keep” renders the Hebrew verb shamar, “‘take care of . . . guard’” (Op. cit., H. A. W., vol. II, p. 939).

b. This verb is also in the jussive form, so we read, “May (the Lord) guard you” (Ibid., Kittel).

c. The priest was thus to call on God to guard the worshiper and what He supplied for his living and welfare.

3. The priest was then to say, “The Lord make his face shine upon you” (Num. 6:25a NIV), and we explain:

a. “Shine” renders the Hebrew verb ‘or, “cause to shine,” and it appears in the jussive form to read, “May the Lord cause His face to shine upon you” (Op. cit., Kittel; Op. cit., H. A. W., vol. I, p. 25).

b. In the ancient, [now] dead language of Ugaritic, a parallel expression exists with the phrase, “‘the countenance of the sun shines upon me,’ meaning ‘I enjoy the favor of the king’” (Ibid., H. A. W.).

c. Thus, the priest was to call upon God to show His favor toward the worshiper.

4. The priest was then to say, “ . . . and be gracious to you” (Numbers 6:25b NIV), and we explain:

a. “Gracious” renders the Hebrew verb hanan, meaning “be gracious, pity” (Op. cit., Kittel; Op. cit., H. A. W., p. 302), and it appears in the imperfect form as a jussive that renders, “May (the Lord) be gracious, pity you” in the sense of compassion that might be undeserved as an expression of God’s grace, Ibid.

b. The priest was thus to say “the Lord be gracious, pitiable, compassionate” to the worshiper even if the worshiper did not earn or deserve such divine favor.

5. The priest was then to say, “The Lord lift up his face toward you” (Numbers 6:26a NIV), and we explain:

a. “Lift up” renders the Hebrew verb nasa’, meaning “lift,” and it appears in the jussive form to read, “May the Lord lift up His face upon you” (Op. cit., Kittel; Op. cit., H. A. W., vol. ii, p. 600).

b. The expression indicates “a good conscience, confidence, favor or acceptance” with God (Ibid.).

c. The priest was thus to call upon God to give the worshiper a clear conscience that he was favored by God.

6. The priest was to end the blessing with, “ . . . and give you peace” (Numbers 6:26b NIV), and we explain:

a. “Give” renders the Hebrew verb sum, and it encompasses far more than our English word “give,” for it means to “put, appoint” (Op. cit., Kittel; Op. cit., H. A. W., vol. II, p. 872-873), and in this context of a blessing, it suggests God’s firmly establishing a relationship of peace with the worshiper (Ibid., p. 872).

b. This verb is also a jussive, so we read, “May (the Lord) firmly establish a relationship of peace with you.”

c. Thus, the priest was to call upon God firmly to establish a relationship of peace with the worshiper.

Lesson: When Israel’s people were organized in God’s calling for them, when they were separated from sin and when they were consecrated to the Lord, they would enjoy God’s comprehensive blessings for them.

Application: May we today heed God’s order for our lives and ministries, may we separate from sin and may we be consecrated to Him for His great and comprehensive blessings.