Numbers 6:23

_SPEAK UNTO AARON AND UNTO HIS SONS, SAYING, ON THIS WISE YE SHALL BLESS THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, SAYING UNTO THEM,_ Speak unto Aaron ... This passage records the solemn benediction which God appointed for dismissing the people when assembled together at stated seasons. The repetition of the name Lord or Yahweh" three times, expressed the great mystery of the Godhead-three persons, and yet one God. The expressions the separate clauses correspond to the respective offices of the Father, to "bless and keep us;" of the Son, to be "gracious to us;" and of the Holy Spirit, to "give us peace." And that the benediction, though pronounced by the lips of a fellow-man, derived its virtue, not from the priest, but from God, the encouraging assurance was added, "I the Lord will bless them" (cf. 2 Chronicles 7:14). Jewish writers tell us that during this ceremony the high pries

22-27 The priests were solemnly to bless the people in the name of the Lord. To be under the almighty protection of God our Saviour; to enjoy his favour as the smile of a loving Father, or as the cheering beams of the sun; while he mercifully forgives our sins, supplies our wants, consoles the heart, and prepares us by his grace for eternal glory; these things form the substance of this blessing, and the sum total of all blessings. In so rich a list of mercies worldly joys are not worthy to be mentioned. Here is a form of prayer. The name Jehovah is three times repeated. The Jews think there is some mystery; and we know what it is, the New Testament having explained it. There we are directed to expect the blessing from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of the Father, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, 2 Corinthians 13:14; each of which Persons is Jehovah, and yet they ar...

Verse Numbers 6:23. _ON THIS WISE YE SHALL BLESS THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL_] The prayer which God makes for his followers, and puts into their mouth, we are sure must be right; and to it, when sincerely, faithfully, and fervently offered, we may confidently expect an answer. If he condescended to give us a _form of blessings_ or a _form of prayer_, we may rest assured that he will accept what he himself has made. This consideration may produce great confidence in them who come with either prayer or praise to the throne of grace, both of which should be, as far as circumstances will admit, _in the very words of Scripture_; for we can readily attach a consequence to the _words of God_, which we shall find difficult to attach to the best ordered words of men. _Take with you words, and_ _turn unto the Lord_. What _words_? Why _those_ which God immediat...

The priestly blessing (compare Ecclus. 36:17) is appointed as a solemn form to be used by the priests exclusively, and in this function their office as it were culminates (compare Leviticus 9:22 note). God Himself provides a formula, through which from time to time, as His people by obedience place themselves in true and right relationship to Him, the authorised mediators may pronounce and communicate His special blessing to them. It was a Jewish tradition that this blessing was given at the close of the daily sacrifice. The structure of the blessing is remarkable. It is rhythmical, consists of three distinct parts, and mounts by gradual stages to that peace which forms the last and most consummate gift which God can give His people. From a Christian point of view, and comparing the counterpart

EXPOSITION THE PRIESTLY BENEDICTION (Numbers 6:22-4). NUMBERS 6:22 THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES. It is a matter of mere conjecture at what point of time this command was given. As it concerned the priests and their daily ministration, it would be natural to suppose that it was given at the time when the tabernacle service was set up, _i.e; _at the precise point fixed by the first verse of the following chapter. That the command was given to Moses, and to Moses alone, and that _after _the consecration of Aaron to the high priesthood, serves to bring out into clear relief the relative position of the two. Aaron and his sons alone, as the

SPEAK UNTO AARON, AND UNTO HIS SONS,.... Aaron and his sons that succeeded him in all after generations, being the persons that were in a public manner to bless the people of Israel, they are particularly addressed, see Deuteronomy 10:8; SAYING, ON THIS WISE YE SHALL BLESS THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL; in such manner and with such words as after expressed; standing upon an eminence, lifting up their hands on high, spreading out their fingers, and raising their voices, and pronouncing the blessing in the Hebrew language, in the name of Jehovah, with their face towards the people; all which, according to the Jewish writers d, were to be strictly observed; SAYING UNTO THEM; as follows. d Maimon. Hilchot Neshiut Cappim. c. 14. sect. 11. Gersom in loc....

CHAPTER 6 The Nazarite _ 1. The vow of a Nazarite (Numbers 6:1)_ 2. The defilement of the Nazarite (Numbers 6:9) 3. The law of the Nazarite (Numbers 6:15) 4. The blessing of Aaron and his sons (Numbers 6:22) The word Nazarite means, one who is separated. The vow of the Nazarite meant separation unto Jehovah and separation in three things: 1. Separation from wine and strong drink, vinegar of wine, vinegar of strong drink, liquor of grapes, moist or dried grapes, from all that is made of the wine-tree, from the kernels even unto the husks. 2. His hair was to grow long and no razor was to come upon hi

THE PRIESTLY BLESSING. This blessing, though incorporated in P, has probably been derived from some earlier source (perhaps a psalm, _cf._ Psalms 4:6; Psalms 29:11; Psalms 31:16; Psalms 67:1; Psalms 67:6 f., Psalms 80:3; Psalms 80:7; Psalms 80:19;...

DISCOURSE: 146 GOD WILL BLESS HIS OWN ORDINANCES Numbers 6:23. _On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: the Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them._ THE exercise of benevolence is that which every child of God should cultivate to the uttermost: but ministers above all should consider it as the distinguishing badge of their office: they are compelled indeed sometimes to “use sharpness;” but whether they rebuke, or whether they exhort, they should be actuated by nothing but a principle of love. Under the law, it was a very important part of the priestly office to bless the people; and God prescribed a form of words to be used by Aaron and hi

SPEAK UNTO AARON AND UNTO HIS SONS— The Lord here prescribes the form of blessing wherewith the congregation was to be dismissed by the priest in waiting; who, with loud voice and uplifted hands, used to say, _The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:_ "May God both bestow upon thee plenty of good things, and preserve thee in the happy use of them. May Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bestow on thee the blessings of his covenant of grace and peace; make thee partaker of the Father's love, of the Son's redeeming grace, of the Spirit's comforting and sanctifying influences; _and keep thee_ from all those evils of sin and Satan, from which of thyself thou art utterly unable to escape." _The Lord make his face to shine upon thee:_ "blessing thee with the sensible effects of his favour, like the sun, cheering and enlivening the face of nature; so may he enlighten thy darkness, warm thy heart w...