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Numbers 6:22-27 – Praying through the Bible #42 – A Prayer that is a Blessing
When’s the last time you blessed someone, or received a blessing? Most likely it was after a sneeze. “God bless you” has several uncertain origins: 1) a violent sneeze could thrust your soul from your body; 2) sneezing expelled an evil spirit, blessings protect from its reentering; 3) the heart stops and they pronounced a blessing for its return or congratulations for the heart restarting, or to keep a new demon from entering. Our more enlightened culture smugly smiles at such naiveté. However, there is needed awareness in this old fashioned blessing that our progressive society conveniently forgets – people need God to be blessed, and to protect from evil.
God told Aaron and his sons to pronounce this blessing on Israel:
May Yahweh bless you and protect you;
May Yahweh make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you;
May Yahweh look with favor on you and give you peace. (Num 6.24-26 HCSB)
God then concludes with a purpose, “In this way they will put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them” (6.27). Note, while said by priests, this is a blessing from Yahweh. Mere men do not have the power to bless, just to say blessing. The three blessings have come to be known as the Birkat Kohanim, or Priestly Benediction.
In English, it is rhythmic and easy to memorize; even more so in Hebrew where the lines progress from 3 to 5 to 7 words. According to Rabbinic interpretation, the first line asks for material blessings, the second for spiritual, and the third combines both. Yahweh’s protection in the first is needed because of wealth’s temptations. It’s a truism how our possessions can posses us. Asking for material blessings might seem counter to “blessed are the poor in spirit” (Mt 5.3); but John prays for his friend, “Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health, just as your soul prospers” (3 Jn 2). The second line “May Yahweh make His face shine on you” is sublimely beautiful. I think of Moses’ face glowing from God’s presence (Ex 34.29-35). The third line, asking for peace (shalom), can be from enemies or inwardly. Ultimately peace and ultimate peace comes from being in a blessed relationship with God.
Today this blessing is still popular in Jewish synagogues and even in Christian ceremonies for weddings. Churches sing, “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” The ending is a simple, single “amen” demonstrating how this once priestly benediction is not only now a song, but is our prayer. Being blessed is…nothing to sneeze at.
Prayer Challenge: Pray this blessing, for self and others. Do not hesitate asking for material goods to be used for God’s glory; include needing God’s protection. Ponder on the uplifting phrase, “May Yahweh make His face shine on you.” Finally, pray for peace, in relationships, for our nation, including from and in yourself. Only God can provide.
Very nice; thank you. I’ve always liked that scripture and this post just prompted me to add it to my memorization list 🙂
I discussed the sneeze response just a few days ago. I came to the conclusion long ago that it’s likely never a sincere prayer, merely a vain reflex using Gods name irreverently. Now, when someone sneezes, I simply say: “You just sneezed!”. My boss thanked me the other day when I said it because that’s the reflexive response.