Blessing

‘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.’ [Numbers 6.24-26] 

Interestingly enough, this blessing was something God instructed to be done:

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing: [Numbers 6.22-23]

God called this blessing a "special" blessing. Why?

It must be seen in this blessing that acknowledgement is given to God in it for every possible need of man. This is of no surprise given the 1st Commandment:

You must not have any other god but me. [Exodus 20.3]

This blessing is specific in speaking God's blessing over the recipient(s). Blessings, protection, provision and peace are all benefits God gives. In speaking this blessing over another person, it is being conveyed that that person (or persons) should look to God and God alone for blessings, protection, provision and peace.

It might be understood that the blessing is not "may you bless yourself..." or "may your job bless you..." or "may your family always bless you..." or "may the inventions of man bless you..." etc... No, it is specified, "May the LORD bless you..."

It is the LORD who blesses people. Blessing comes from God.

The significance of speaking the blessing above over people is the constant reminder it gives that God is the Blesser, and no one else. People tend to forget this important fact. And, unfortunately, the world only makes it worse. 

Debt, insurance, medicine and technology all present themselves as blessings but rarely, if ever, give credit to God. The not so funny thing about these things though is this: there are always chains (as opposed to "strings") attached to these "blessings" which really make them no blessings at all. Debt chains people with interest payments. Insurance chains people with relentlessly increasing premiums. Medicine, by very nature of the "business," is not as much interesting in healing as it is in chaining repeat customers to their products. Technology... well, technology promises convenience but in all the conveniences people have today, they are busier than ever before... They are chained to the insatiable idea of "more." These really don't sound like blessings in this light!

The blessing quoted in Numbers 6 should be considered in a quiet moment, just as I am considering it now while writing this...

Father may Your blessing be spoken and realized on Your people. May we understand that YOU are the One Who Blesses and may our eyes be opened to every imposter that would claim to bless us, but in reality curses us. So be it.