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,… 1. Open the hand wide. The Father comes to fill it. "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee."(1) When? Now and ever, when you go out, come in, sit down, rise up, through all your living space, and when the last breath flutters on your lips. (2) Where? In every place in which you tarry, or to which you move; in the closet, at the domestic board, at home, abroad, in still retreat, and in the busiest haunts, in the publicity of open work, and in the sanctity of holiest spots. (3) How? By causing all things to minister to your true good, by crowning yore lot with all real happiness. 2. Jesus comes next. "The Lord make His face shine upon thee," &c. The greatest change on nature's brow is when light dawns. Gloom dwells beneath the pall of night. It is so with the soul. Sad are the hours which are not bright with Jesus. Then sins affright, and wrath dismays, and all the future is despair. This blessing promises the shining of His face, not a brief ray, but the full blaze of concentrated love. "The Lord make His face shine upon thee." Here, too, a precious pearl is added. It is grace. The words proceed, "and be gracious unto thee." What wonders are wrapt up in grace I Its birth is in the heavens, its fruit upon the earth. It looks on those in whom no merit dwells. 3. The blessing voice still speaks. "The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee," &c. Can they who have received so much need more? But more is wondrously given. The truly blest have all the blessings of a Triune Jehovah. Hence the Spirit's favour is moreover pledged. Seek Christ, abide in Him, make Him your all, then will this threefold blessing be your crown. (Dean Law.) Parallel Verses KJV: Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, |
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