Numbers 6:22-27 - "Blessing the People"

Numbers 6:22-27

"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 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 blessing of Numbers chapter six is not presented as a general benediction spoken among equals, but as a Divine pronouncement carried out through God’s appointed mediator, Moses. The LORD Himself determined both the content and the means of blessing His people. This was not given to the congregation to pronounce upon one another, but entrusted to the high priest, who stood before God on their behalf. In this, the blessing points beyond Aaron to Christ, the true High Priest, in Whom blessing is not symbolic but effectual.

True blessing is of the LORD. Three times the name of the LORD is spoken, emphasizing that blessing originates with God alone. “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee” (v.24). Blessing is not given because of any worthiness in us, but flows from God's sovereign purpose to bless through His chosen mediator. Those whom the LORD blesses are also kept, preserved by His will and guarded by His Power. This keeping rests not in human faithfulness, but in God’s faithfulness to bless those that He has chosen in Christ. As it is written, “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee” (Psalm 65:4)—ultimately fulfilled in Christ. The LORD Jesus is the Chosen One of God (Luke 9:35), uniquely appointed to draw near to the Father, not for Himself alone but as the Representative and Mediator of His people. Through Christ, believers are brought near to God, sharing in the blessing of dwelling in His Presence because Christ has approached God on their behalf.

The blessing continues with grace revealed in the shining of God’s Face. “The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee” (v. 25). Grace is not found in God overlooking sin, but in God revealing His Son. The Face of God's favor shines only in Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). God’s gracious acceptance of sinners rests entirely upon the Beloved, “wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). The Grace of God is not measured by what we do or how we feel, but by redemption accomplished: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

This grace rests upon Christ Himself first, for He alone stood fully in favor with God. “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2: 52). As Mediator and Substitute, He obtained mercy and grace for His people. God’s everlasting kindness toward His people is inseparable from Christ as God's appointed Redeemer: “With everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer” (Isaiah 54:8).

The blessing reaches its fullness in peace. “The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” (v.26). This peace was obtained at the cross, where “the chastisement of our peace was upon him” (Isaiah 53:5). Peace with God was not formed in the heart first, but established in Christ’s obedience unto death. From there, the Peace of God flows, first by Peace with God, in that reconciliation at the cross, and then the Peace of God, revealed in the heart of those for whom the debt was paid. “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever” (Isaiah 32:17).

This blessing is in the Triune God in its fullness—purposed by the Father, accomplished by the Son, and revealed by the Spirit. As the apostle declares, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14). Thus the LORD places His Name upon His people. They are blessed—not because of any goodness in them, but by Christ Himself, Who is their Righteousness, their Peace, and their eternal Blessing. His Righteousness was imputed to them when He completed the work at the cross, rose again, and ascended on high, the Father's law and justice satisfied. Therefore, the blessing of quietness and assurance is theirs forever.