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I. THE RECOGNITION OF MAN'S GREATEST NEED, viz., GOD'S BLESSING. Probably the formulary employed was that recorded in Numbers 6:23 27, or Psalm 90:17. What a complete and comprehensive blessing! Man needed the face of God to shine upon him — God s reconciled, cheering, transforming face, the face of his Father and King. The peace of God alone could remove remorse for the past and dread apprehensions for the future. Here, then, was the bestowment of all needed grace, the earnest as well as preparation for final glory. These blessings centre in and flow from Christ with —

1. Infinite fulness.

2. Inestimable graciousness; for all men and all time.

II. THE DECLARATION OF GOD'S GREATEST JOY, VIZ., BLESSING MEN. He is slow to anger, and delights in mercy. Aaron, standing with outspread hands, was the representative of God as well as of the people; and in the words of the Lord, as well as in His name, he pronounced the blessing. God blessed man.

1. In equity. He had not connived at iniquity, had not accepted man into His confidence and communion without obedience and satisfaction.

2. Out of the sanctuary. The high priest came out of the Tabernacle and blessed the people; and God still pronounces His best and brightest blessing out of Zion, where His name is recorded, His worship observed.

3. In connection with human means. It was the blessing of God, but it passed through the lips of Aaron. God employed and honoured human agency.

(F. W. Brown.)

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KJV: And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;

WEB: It happened on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;