Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 6:9-27. Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%206&version=NASB1995
I quote only the following verses.
“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them:
The LORD bless you, and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.’
So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.” Numbers 6:22-27.
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How important is the Benediction in the congregational worship service on the Sabbath! And yet, we see too many Pastors neglect it, showing that they think their own final one minute of words of exhortation out of their forty minute sermon are more important than saving one minute for the LORD’S blessing upon His own people.
First, we notice that the LORD did not merely suggest it as if it would be an optional nice thing to do. The LORD commanded: “Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: …”
Second, we notice in the first part of the blessing that it is both a general blessing and a specific blessing of protection and sustenance. “The LORD bless you, and keep you”.
Third, we notice in the second part of the blessing that it is a blessing of salvation. “The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you”. Favor is represented by the words: “The LORD make His face shine on you”. The LORD’S favor always leads to and includes salvation. The LORD’S grace always leads to and includes salvation.
We see salvation most clearly in the following verses. Salvation is repeated three times in Psalm chapter 80. There is also an ever increasing emphasis of God’s sovereignty in how the Psalmist addresses God from “O God” in the first verse to “O God of hosts” in the second verse to “O LORD God of hosts” in the third verse which leads us to meditate that salvation is based on the sovereignty of God, not based on the alleged free-will of man.
“O God, restore us
And cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.” Psalm 80:3.
“O God of hosts, restore us
And cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.” Psalm 80:7.
“O LORD God of hosts, restore us;
Cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.” Psalm 80:19.
Fourth, we notice in the third part that the concluding blessing is one of peace. “The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.” As we consider that the Sabbath is not only a day of worship, but it is also a day of rest, how important it is for us to have peace on the Sabbath to help us rest!
Fifth, we notice in the final sentence of today’s Scripture that there is a promise. “So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”
In conclusion, most importantly, the Benediction glorifies the LORD by showing us the goodness of the LORD.
“6 Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?”
Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O LORD!
7 You have put gladness in my heart,
More than when their grain and new wine abound.
8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:6-8.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 