The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

Aaron’s blessing, given to the priesthood by God through Moses, was a congregational blessing, administered in the name of the LORD, and connected with his promises inextricably.

This was not just a blessing, it is the blessing, indicating that the Lord had chosen Israel to be his own people. They were there in the days of the column of smoke and fire, in the days of Moses’ face shining with the glory of God.

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 20:27-29

How great then is our blessing, that we have the faith that comes not from the obvious and overwhelming miracles of that day but the hearing of the Word that comes from Jesus. Not only has God chosen us, but we have heard his call and chosen him.

Ethan Kirl