ODJ: the benediction
May 23, 2011
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace (vv.24-26).
READ: Numbers 6:22-27
In many churches, as part of the liturgy, the pastor closes the worship service with a benediction (good pronouncement) invoking God’s help and blessings upon the worshipers.
There are many benedictions in the Bible (for example: Psalm 121:7-8; Romans 15:13; 2 Cor. 13:14; Ephesians 3:20-21; Jude 1:24-25). One of the most famous biblical benedictions was used in the movie Deep Impact. Before the big comet crashed to earth, the US President (played by Morgan Freeman) said: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26 NIV).
As they wandered through the wilderness, the Israelites knew they wouldn’t make it to the Promised Land without God’s help. They looked to Him for the basic necessities of food, water and protection. The repetition of God’s covenantal name, “the Lord” (Yahweh), was a reminder of God’s faithful involvement in their lives. This benediction is a reminder that as we journey through this dangerous and evil world, we too would not survive without His favor, grace, and mercy.
In his book Bless You, Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe wrote of Numbers 6:24-26, “This benediction may be the most quoted of all the benedictions.” Although the benediction was intended for Israel as a people of God, “the six ‘you’ pronouns are all singular, indicating that God’s blessing is for the individual.”
The next time you hear a pastor pronouncing this benediction at the end of a worship service, remember that it’s a petition on your behalf, asking and affirming that God Himself will provide for and protect you (v.24), assuring you of His presence (vv.25-26), pardon (v.25), and peace (v.26). —K.T. Sim
Would you agree or disagree that Christians today do not take benedictions seriously? Why or why not? What is being asked for in this benediction? (Numbers 6:24-26). How is this benediction meaningful for you?
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