SERMON OUTLINE:
The Author: God (vs 22&27)
The Recipients: Israel (vs 23 & 27)
The Blessing threefold (vs 24-26)
The Repetition: ‘Face’ (vs 25 & 26)
The Conclusion: ownership (vs 27)
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• Opposites.
• Help me out by shouting out the opposite to my word!
• Opposite of night is… day
• Opposite of hot is… cold
• Opposite of hungry is… full
• Opposite of happy is… sad
• Opposite of right is… left
• Opposite of rich is… poor
• Opposite of smart is… stupid
• Opposite of early is… late
• Opposite of boring is… interesting
• Opposite of calm is… worry
• Opposite of capture is… release
• Opposite of float is… sink
• Opposite of loose is… tight
• Opposite of curse is… bless!
• TRANSITION:
• We tend to use the word ‘bless’ as a throw away’ word,
• Often in prayer when we don’t know what to say,
• We take the safe option and say, “Bless them Lord!”
Now the Bible contains over five hundred blessings,
• This one in Numbers chapter 6 may well be the most quoted.
• Christian preachers & ministers often use them at the conclusion of a service,
• But Jewish rabbis also use it to conclude synagogue services.
• In our Christian Churches we refer to these verses as, “benedictions”
• ill: That word ‘Benediction’ comes from two Latin words:
• ‘Bene’ which means ‘well’; and ‘Dicere’ which means ‘to speak.’
• A ‘benediction’ is simply ‘a short request or invocation to speak well’.
• The idea being that you want God to add something great and positive,
• Into the life of the congregation or an individual.
• And this blessing or benediction illustrates that so well.
Let’s look at the passage:
(1). The author of the blessing – God (vs 22)
22 The LORD said to Moses,
23 "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
27 "So, they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."
Note:
• God himself is the originator, the creator, the author of this blessing
• He handed it over to the priests, “Aaron & his sons” (vs 22-23).
• Then they became the custodians, the caretakers of these words,
• In fact, they were the only ones allowed to speak to them in public gatherings.
• Even today, although Jewish men are permitted to pray in public,
• But only the Rabbi may pronounce this or any other benediction/blessing.
Now, although the priests in the Bible were able to speak the blessing.
• But they were unable to bestow it!
• They were simply the designated, the chosen messengers.
• God alone is the donor and benefactor.
• Ill: That is shown in the way his name is used three times in the blessing.
• Verses 24: “The Lord bless you...”
• Verse 25: “…the Lord make his face shine on you.”
• Verse 26: “…the Lord turn his face toward you”
• Notice also in the concluding words,
• Verse 27: “I will bless them”.
• So, although the priests in the Bible were able to speak the blessing,
• They were unable to bestow it.
• Only God can do that!
Question:
• We might want to ask is why?
• Why did God command Aaron and his sons to bless the Israelites?
Answer:
• Well, the short answer is because God is good!
• The long answer is because God is gooooooooooooooooooood!
• God blesses his children, because God is good, and God is love.
Ill:
• A few years ago, I used to run a lunchtime Christian Union in a secondary school.
• It was Easter time and so I brought a large box of Cadburys creme eggs.
• Which I was going to give to everyone who came along.
• Well, I arrived at the school, parked up and went to sign in at reception,
• As I entered the room there was a group of about 6 adults sitting on chairs,
• And waiting for who knows what.
• But instantly they all focused on my box of Cadburys creme eggs.
• I mean they stared at them.
• They were like a hungry dog eagerly hoping you might give it a treat.
• I am sure if I lifted the box up high all their eyes would have followed it,
• So, I said to them, “Anyone fancy a creme egg? – There are plenty to spare!”
• There was no embarrassment, they as one said, “Yes please!”
• So, I let them each choose an egg before I headed out to my C.U. group.
• TRANSITION: now I tell you that story,
• Not because I am super generous, but on that occasion, I was able to ‘bless’ them,
• To be kind to them, to cheer them up!
• i.e. as earthly parents we want that which is best for our children.
• So too does God – he desires what is best for his children,
• He will not spoil us, but he will treat us or show goodness to us!
• God blesses us,
• Not because we are good but because he is good!
Ill:
• I like the words, ‘loving kindness’ that is used in the book of Psalms,
• (e.g. Psalm 17 verse 7, Psalm 36 verse 10, Psalm 63 verse 3, Psalm 69 verse 16)
• Question: what is the difference between ‘kindness’ and ‘loving kindnesses?
• Answer:
• If you are hungry and I give you a piece of bread, that is ‘kindness’
• But if you are hungry and I give you a piece of bread with jam and butter,
• That is ‘loving kindness!’
• I have been generous and done much more than I needed to do.
(2). The recipient of the blessing – Israel (vs 23 & 27)
• Notice that the blessing is sandwiched between two instructions.
• The instructions are given to a specific group of people.
• Verses 23 & 27: tell us who they are:
• ‘Israelites’, that is ‘the descendants of Jacob’.
Israel is the only nation in history that has entered a covenant relationship with the Lord.
• e.g. Psalm 147 verse 20 reminds us that.
• “...He has done this for no other nation....”
• Note: The Lord did not establish a contract with Israel or with the church.
• He created a covenant.
• There is a big difference.
• Contacts are broken when one of the parties fails to keep his promise.
Ill:
• I make an informal contract with my dentist.
• If as a patient I fail to keep an appointment,
• I may receive a bill for failure to turn up.
• BUT the dentist is NOT obligated to call the house and inquire,
• “Where were you? Why didn’t you show up for your appointment?”
• The dentist simply goes on to the next patient.
• And has his appointment secretary take note of my no show.
• And I can expect to receive a bill in the post for failure to turn up.
• Because as a patient I broke our informal contract.
• BUT the Bible indicates that a covenant is very different to a contract:
• Is more like the ties of a parent to her child than it is to a dentist’s appointment.
• If a child fails to show up home after school,
• The parent’s obligation, unlike the dentist’s, isn’t cancelled.
• The parent is obligated to find out where the child is,
• To make sure the child is cared for.
• In a covenant agreement,
• One parties failure to keep the agreement does not destroy the relationship.
• A covenant puts no conditions on faithfulness.
• It is the unconditional commitment to love and serve.
Ill:
• God made a covenant with Abraham.
• He promised him a land.
• He promised him descendants as numerous as the stars.
• He promised to use him to curse or bless every other nation.
• God is a covenant keeping God!
• The expression “I will be your God, and you will be my people”.
• Is a phrase used throughout the Bible until the very last page in Revelation.
• It is a reminder that God sticks with us!
Note:
• Although the blessing is in the plural.
• God is speaking to the community – to the people.
• The six “You” pronouns in this benediction are all singular.
• Indicating that God’s blessing was for the individual,
• That is every single Israelite.
Ill:
• At a football match they always announce the attendance of the crowd.
• “Today’s attendance is, 73,531 we thank you for your support.”
• It might be childish to you, but I always think, that’s me, I was, “the one!”
• TRANSITION: Evey Jew who hears this blessing can say those words,
• That’s me, “I am the one!”
• Note: six times God repeats & emphasises the singular,
• “You,” “You,” “You,” “You,” “You,” “You!”
• That is everyone, no-one gets left out!
Ill:
• He is the God of the individual – i.e. “Abraham, Isaac and Jacob”.
• The God of individual believers.
• i.e. He knows us by name! (Jesus in John chapter 10 verse 27).
(3). The blessing – threefold (vs 24-26)
• In our times and culture,
• We use the word ‘bless’ like people use the words ‘wish’ or ‘hope’
• ill: I always like it when we have new Christians in our own Church,
• They say, “Are you off preaching?” When I reply, “Yes”,
• They often respond, “Good luck!” - they haven’t yet learnt the jargon.
• In the Hebrew mind blessing was never, ‘wish’ or ‘hope’
• It was always, certain and specific.
• It was never casual or meaningless.
Question: If you could have any blessings from the LORD, what would it be?
Ill:
• Remember the story of Solomon who as a boy of twelve (or maybe fourteen).
• God appeared to him and offered him any wish that he wanted.
• If you were in his shoes, I wonder what you would have asked for?
• Solomon, we know asked for wisdom - and God was pleased with his request.
• Solomon did not make a selfish request i.e. asking God for what he wanted.
• But rather a wise request i.e. he asked God for what he needed to lead the people.
• When it comes down to life, there is a big difference.
• Between what we NEED and what we WANT.
• God has of course promised to meet the Christians needs not their greed’s.
• He has promised us daily bread and not strawberries and ice-cream!
• This Blessing in Numbers chapter 6,
• Reflects what we really need above what we might want.
• In fact, this one blessing is really three blessings.
• It contains three qualities that we can’t afford to go without in this world.
(1). “Keep us”
• The first quality is for the Lord to “KEEP us.”
• This word basically means “to exercise great care over.”
Ill:
• The Hebrew word for “keep”.
• Is used in connection with Shepherds and their sheep.
• It described the way shepherds out in the open land would use thorn bushes or a cave.
• To build a protective enclosure for the sheep and so ‘keep them’ safe from predators.
• The Shepherd would then lie down at the entrance and so become the living gate.
• Any wild animal or thief must past through them to get to the sheep.
• If that sounds a familiar picture it is.
• Jesus used it to describe himself in John chapter 10.
So, when we pray this blessing, we are asking God to “To keep”.
• That is to literally “build a hedge around” us.
• And the key idea is that of protection from harm,
• If that sounds a familiar picture it is.
• Apostle Paul used it to describe the effects of prayer in Philippians chapter 4.
• “May God guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”
• In other words, may God “build a hedge of protection around us”.
• To keep out enemies that would snatch away the blessings that God has given you,
• And may God keep you from wandering off.
(2). “gracious to you”
Ill:
• Most Christians have a favourite Book or verse of the Bible?
• Most Christians have a favourite Bible character or story.
• I wonder if you have a favourite name for God.
Quote:
“The Names of God used in the Bible act as a roadmap for learning about the character of God. Since the Bible is God's Word to us, the names He chooses in scripture are meant to reveal His true nature to us.”
• I like the description found in Exodus chapter 34 verse 6 God said to Moses.
• “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God”.
Ill:
• C. H. Spurgeon had an illustration he would use to depict ‘grace’.
• A large sum of money was given to a man called Rowland Hill.
• His job was to distribute the money to a particular Christian pastor.
• Thinking that the amount was too much to send all at once,
• Hill forwarded just a portion along with a note that said simply, “More to follow.”
• In a few days the man received another envelope containing the same amount.
• And with the same message, “More to follow.”
• At regular intervals, there came a third, and a fourth. In fact, they continued,
• Along with those uplifting words, until the entire sum had been received.
C. H. Spurgeon used this story to illustrate God’s grace:
• “When God forgives our sins, there’s more forgiveness to follow.
• He justifies us in the righteousness of Christ, but there’s more to follow.
• He adopts us into His family, but there’s more to follow.
• He prepares us for heaven, but there’s more to follow.
• He gives us grace, but there’s more to follow.
• He helps us to old age, but there’s still more to follow.”
• Spurgeon concluded,
• “Even when we arrive in the world to come, there will still be more to follow.”
Ill:
This advertisement was seen on the side of a plumber's van:
• “There is no place too deep, too dark or too dirty for us to handle”.
• What a wonderful explanation of the Gospel!
• When you are prone to fail (like the Israelites did & like we are prone to do also).
• It is good to have one who is gracious on your side!
(3). “Give you his peace”.
• This benediction started with a comprehensive term (‘bless’).
• It concludes with another Hebrew word (‘Shalom’)
• This word is translated into English as ‘Peace’.
• But that does not do it justice – it is a very rich word in meaning.
• It means so much more than the ‘absence of conflict’.
• It includes health and happiness, satisfaction and completion,
• Kindness and agreement, salvation and friendship, and the richness of a full life!
There are thousands of people in the world:
• Who have material benefits and financial security
• Yet they remain unsatisfied.
• Quote: J. R. Rockefeller was asked the question.
• “How much does it take to satisfy a man?”
• His reply was very insightful.
• “Just a little bit more than he has!”
We may not have all we desire and certainly not all the world seems to offer:
• But we have “Peace with God” – our sins are forgiven.
• Quote Psalmist: “Happy many times over are those whose sins are forgiven”.
• We also have “The peace of God”.
• “Which can guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”.
Ill:
• Don’t forget when Paul penned those words in Philippians chapter 4.
• He was chained to a Roman soldier who stood guard over him night and day.
• Paul deliberately uses the military word here for ‘standing on guard’.
• God’s peace stands guard over us as his guards stood over him.
(4). The Repetition in the benediction – ‘Face’ (vs 25 & 26)
First mention of ‘face’ (Vs 25):
25the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
A person’s face is very revealing:
• ill: Often, we can tell the emotions of people by the looks of their faces.
• ill: As a preached you can tell when people have had enough.
• ill: You can tell when someone is not happy because their face will be “downcast.”
• ill: if you were happy – it was said that your face would “shine”.
Notice:
• What the blessing says about God’s face:
• “The LORD make his face SHINE upon you”
Ill:
• Think about the difference between rainy days and sunny days.
• Rainy days can often seem very unpleasant; dark, cold, windy & miserable.
• And yet that same day if the sun comes out.
• It can be transformed the same day into something beautiful.
How good it is to know that when the stormy weather of life hits us.
• When we find our spirits are dampened by the sadness of unfavourable circumstances,
• We can have God’s face shine upon us.
• His light helps us to see clearly,
• Brightening our understanding of what is going on.
• And how He is in control working out His purposes.
Second mention of ‘face’ (Vs 26):
26the LORD TURN HIS face toward you
and give you peace." '
To understand this expression, just think of the opposite.
• “To turn your face away”
• Is to show displeasure, maybe hurt or anger.
• So, to “Turn your face” is to show pleasure, delight.
• It means you have accepted and valued someone!
Ill:
• Have you ever been looking for someone in a crowd?
• Perhaps you’ve been to pick someone up at the airport or train station,
• Think of the moment when after all the waiting around.
• You finally make eye contact with the person you are looking for.
• Even though there are hundreds of people all around you:
• Suddenly in that place and at that time.
• You make a personal connection with someone that you know and who knows you!
• The face reveals acceptance and love.
(5). The conclusion of the benediction – ownership (vs 27)
“So, they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them”
The benedictions conclusion speaks of ownership:
• To put one’s name upon something.
• Was to give it the distinctive stamp or mark of ownership.
• ill: How many of you have your names written in the front of your Bibles?
• ill: Kids all have tags on their school jumpers and coats etc.
Quote: Raymond Brown:
• The Lord had put his name upon the Israelite people:
• Verse 24a: He was their bountiful giver.
• Verse 24b: He was their strong protector.
• Verse 25a: He was their faithful friend.
• Verse 25b: He was their forgiving lover.
• Verse 26a: He was their reliable partner.
• Verse 26b: He was their generous provider.
• Verse 27: He was their unique owner.
Numbers chapter 6 contains what is an incredible little benediction:
• As Christians we can enjoy those same blessings.
• And we find them all and more in the New Testament.
• God has truly blessed and continues to bless us.
• Ephesians chapter 1 verse 3:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
Ill:
• Bruce Barton & the two seas.
• The dead sea & the sea of Galilee.
• Remember the principle:
• God blesses us that we might bless others!
SERMON VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/OOrXJH6PgRA
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=eChXNljn88QoJTOm8Fc398OJtwpr5aWD
