Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

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Verses 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, 2Co 13:14; each of which Persons is Jehovah, and yet they are not three Lords, but one Lord

Matthew Henry and Thomas Scott, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1997), Nu 6:22.

The Blessing of the High Priest, Spurgeon, Charles Haddon, Numbers 6:23-26

Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, On this wise you shall bless the children of Israel, saying to them,…

I. THE GENERAL CHARACTER OF THIS BLESSING.

1. It was a blessing given through a priest. Christ, as the great High Priest who offered Himself without spot unto God, is the Divine channel of blessing. Do we know the Lord’s Anointed?
2. This benediction is of the nature of intercession. Never forget that Christ “made intercession for the transgressors.” He has, moreover, a special pleading for believers (John 17:9).
3. This benediction is yet of a higher order than intercession. Here is not only faith pleating, but faith receiving and bestowing. The priest speaks the blessing: for which he asks.
4. This blessing is sure. Christ is commissioned of the Father, and anointed of the Spirit, as the ambassador of peace.
5. It is continuous. God blesses ever; curses never.

II. THE BLESSING ITSELF.

1. It passes from the priest to God. “The Lord bless thee.” What a blessing the Lord gives! Have we not heard a mother say to her little child, “Bless you “? What a wealth of meaning she threw into it. But when God says, “Bless you! ” there are infinity and immutability in it. There can be no limit to the goodwill of the infinite God.
2. Notice that the name of the Lord, or Jehovah, is three times mentioned. Here we hear the voice of One, yet Three.
3. Notice that this benediction is all along in the singular. Why? Because the people of God are one, and He views them as one, and so the blessing comes upon the entire Church as a whole. But, next, I think it is that every individual believer may take the whole of this benediction home to himself.

III. THE DIVINE AMEN.

Here is the authority repeated by way of confirmation of what has been said. “They shall put My name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” The priest does his part, and then the Lord makes the blessing effectual. Herein is condescension on God’s part, and honour and security for us. When the Lord’s name is named upon anything He will guard His own dedicated things. The name of the Lord is a strong tower, and within it we are safe. I think I see here a confirmation of those blessings which are pronounced by good men. “They shall put My name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” I loved to have my grandfather’s blessing when I was preaching the Word in early days. He has now gone into the glory; but he blessed me, and none can take away the name of God from me. Most of you will remember the blessings of good men who are now gone to glory; and God confirms those blessings. He allows His people, whom He has made priests and kings unto God, to put His name upon others, and to pronounce blessings upon them. Their word shall stand, and what they bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. And then comes, best of all, the blessing of our God most surely promised. “I will bless them”; they shall have their troubles, but I will bless them through their troubles. When they have earthly goods I will bless them and make them real comforts. I will bless their basket and their store. If those earthly comforts arc taken away I will give them compensation a thousandfold in myself.

The Biblical Illustrator, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006, 2011 by Biblesoft, Inc., All rights reserved. Used by permission. BibleSoft.com

DEVOTIONAL

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron, and unto his sons, saying, 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. Numbers 6:22 to 27.

PAUSE, my soul, and in these sweet words behold thine almighty Aaron, even Jesus, in his everlasting priesthood, day by day, thus blessing his people. Observe, the blessing in the name of the Lord Jehovah is thrice pronounced, as if to teach the plurality of persons in the Godhead. And observe also, after this blessing thrice pronounced, Jehovah, as if to intimate the unity of the divine essence, declares, I will bless them. My soul, mark each. The First may be considered as the personal blessing of God the Father, whose gracious office it is in the work of redemption to bless and keep his people. The Second is the peculiar mercy of Jesus, whose face is always upon his people, and his grace their portion. And the Third is the work of God the Holy Ghost, when his blessed influences are shed abroad upon the soul, in the light of his divine countenance. And, my soul, observe further, how personally this blessing from the HOLY THREE IN ONE is to each individual: it is to thee, even to thee. And, my soul, do not forget nor overlook this vast privilege in the blessing. Aaron the great high-priest of the church, could only pray for the people that these mercies might be upon them; but thy great High-priest, the Lord Jesus, confirms them. His language is, Father I will. And God having raised up his Son Jesus, hath sent him to bless us. Here then, blessed, precious Jesus! thou Great High-priest of my soul! close the day, every day, close the year, close my life, whenever thou shalt be pleased to call me home, in thus blessing me. Lord! put thy name upon me, and upon all thy church and people, and we shall be most blessed indeed, in life, in death, and for evermore, Amen: Hallelujah: Amen!

Robert Hawker, The Poor Man’s Morning Portion (New York; Pittsburg: Robert Carter, 1845), 314–315.

SERMON

THE BLESSING OF THE HIGH PRIEST

A SERMON, NO. 2170, Numbers 6:22-27
DELIVERED ON LORD’S-DAY MORNING, OCTOBER 26, 1890
BY C. H. SPURGEON
AT THE METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE, NEWINGTON