August 4, 2013 … God’s Priestly Blessing

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 216

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … I’m leading you to use this link and hear a promised-filled song, performed by Krystin Getty, singing “By Faith”, reminding and us that God’s Priesthood should continue to bless His people through lives of faith.

Highlight Passage of the Day: Numbers 6: 24-26 [God’s priestly blessing on His people] … [NLT] …  
22 Then the LORD said to Moses, 23 “Instruct Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing: 
 24 ‘May the LORD bless you and protect you. 
25 May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. 
26 May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’  
27 This is how Aaron and his sons will designate the Israelites as My people, and I, Myself, will bless them.” 
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Contextual Study involving today’s passage found in Numbers, Chapter 6 … Go to this link … 
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Reference Passage of the Day #1: 1st Peter 2: 9 [In the New Covenant all who have declared Christ as Lord are God’s “royal priesthood.”] … [NLT] …
 9 But you [who’ve come to Christ in faith] are not like that, for you are a chosen people [NKJV – a “royal priesthood”]. You are a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation, his very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

My Journal for Today: This morning in my devotional from Os Hillman’s ministry, as editor and teacher, Hillman led me to the priestly blessing which Aaron and his progeny of priests were to give to the Jews as God’s blessing on His chosen people. It is found (see above) in Numbers, Chapter 6, Verses 24-26 and Hillman indicated that this blessing, God’s blessing, is to be placed on anyone who blesses Israel today. And it is not often that I disagree with Hillman’s interpretation of scripture and his devotional writings, but today I must do so.

I don’t think one can interpret the passage found in Numbers 6 above to be God’s instruction that we, as Christians, are to expect God’s blessing anytime we bless a Jew. Yes, … it is true that we, as Christians, are to be a blessing to others as God’s “royal priesthood,” as Peter wrote about in 1st Peter 2, see above. In the New Covenant, we who have declared – BY FAITH – Christ to be our Lord and Savior, have now become the Lord’s “royal priesthood;” and all who’re truly born-again in Christ are now the lineage of priests which in the old testament was designated to Aaron and his progeny.

 In Aaron’s day of the Old Covenant, the Priests, i.e., Aaron’s sons and lineage, were to declare a blessing on those who, IN FAITH, followed and were obedient to God’s Law, as handed down through Moses to God’s chosen people. And the Priestly blessing, declared above by God’s Priests, would declare God’s blessing on those who blessed God by their faith in His Law. But now, under the New Covenant, the “royal priesthood” has been designated to ANYONE who lives – BY FAITH – in One Who has fulfilled the Old and New Covenants; and ANYONE who lives a faith-led life will become a priest who blesses others, showing them God’s blessing of protection, grace, and peace (see today’s highlight passage).

Yes, it is true that nations who bless Israel will be blessed and those who curse Israel will be cursed; but that is a very different study from God’s truth. However, though Hillman was trying to put forth today’s highlight scripture passage as support for that position, which is becoming more and more pertinent in today’s world, I just don’t think that was what God’s Spirit was trying to communicate to His readers in Numbers 6, by the benediction to be pronounced over God’s people by God’s Priesthood.

I think it boils down to us, as Christians and God’s “priesthood” in the New Covenant, living lives as challenged by the song I’ve brought to any readers here today, sung by the brother/sister duo, The Gettys, where we, as a Christian Priesthood, become a blessing to anyone who sees us living out our faith and blessing others by lives of faith in Christ. Because anytime we live – BY FAITH – in this way, we are declaring the blessing which God’s Priests were to declare over His people.

 And today, my friend, prayerfully, as one of God’s royal priesthood, I pray that my life of faith declares to you … “May the Lord bless and protect you. May our Lord shine upon you; and may He show you His grace and give you His peace.”

My Prayer for Today … Oh, Lord, that is my prayer for any who read my words here today and live by faith in Your promise of protection, grace, and peace. … Amen