““Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. 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 turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’ “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”” Numbers 6:23-27 NIV
“The Lord…”
Jesus is the blessing
“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 peter 1:2-3 NIV
“Bless you…”
What does He bless us with?
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” Ephesians 1:3 NASB1995
His blessing meets our deepest needs
“and keep you”
A sense of care and security
John 10 He is the Good Shepherd
“Make His face shine upon you…”
A sense of approval, worth, and identity
“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV
“And be gracious to you…”
A sense of unmerited favor
“The Lord turn His face toward you…”
The smile of the Father upon us – John 14:20
“And give you peace”
The absence of strife with God, self, and others
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
Pass on the blessing
We bless with our words
“Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” Proverbs 18:21 MSG
We bless with our actions
Time, talent, treasure
We bless those who mistreat us
“bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:28 NASB 95
Pray the blessing
“And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.” Luke 24:50-51 NASB1995