“Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, "Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.’ So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”’( v. 22-27)
The priests were to solemnly bless the people in the name of the Lord. This passage records the solemn benediction, which God appointed for dismissing the people at the close of the daily service. The repetition of the name "Lord" three times, illustrates the Godhead—three persons, and yet one God. Concerning this repetition of the LORD three times Spurgeon writes, “I will not say that this teaches the doctrine of the Trinity; but I must say that, believing the doctrine of the Trinity, I understand the passage all the better. The shadow of the Triune God is on the sacred benediction in the name thrice repeated.”
This benediction (pronounced by the lips of a fellow man) derived its virtue not from the priest, but from God. The encouraging result at the end of verse 27 "I the Lord will bless them," is the intended result of following this law. Many congregations in our society today still use this formal benediction (Blessing) at the end of their services. This blessing, with it’s origin from God, pronounced by the lips His servants to His people in faith, Had the expressed purpose of blessing those who heard it by invoking the name of the LORD.
Thank you Lord for Your blessing upon our lives, for keeping Your promises to us. That You are mindful of our peace. And thank you for your servants who still pass on this blessing from You to us.
The Truth: “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)
