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Sermon Notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (13-2-2000 Guisborough Evangelical Church)
We have looked at the institution of High Priest, the
head of the pyramid of priests, with their special qualifications and special
functions. The office was perfectly fulfilled in Christ. The two main functions
were to offer sacrifice for sins, and to intercede and pray for people. But the
High Priest was also God’s mouthpiece to convey God’s blessing to peace.
Aaron, the first High Priest, lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them (Leviticus 9:22). Many of us have said the words, “Bless you”, or received a blessing from another. But in a unique sense, the High Priest was God’s special agent in imparting blessing, and, because the power of God was resting on him, those words of blessing were effective in the lives of those who listened.
The Aaronic blessing of Numbers 6 are words often used at the close of a service – especially by those who believe in God having the last word, not man. "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26). It’s New Testament equivalent is May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Corinthians 13:14). We are going to look at the subject of God’s blessing in general terms, and then at the Aaronic blessing in particular, and the special promise that it can be effective in people’s lives.
Aaron received specific
instruction: This is the way you shall bless the Israelites (Numbers
6:23). How easily “bless” slips off the tongue. It is a nice, vague, general
term which can dominate our prayers but often fails to specify how we want to be
blessed. Beware – vague prayers get vague answers! We say goodbye, adding,
“God bless you”. We express our hope that God will bless that church, or
that meeting.
“Bless” means we ask God’s
favour and help, to cause us to prosper and flourish. That is God’s will that
His people should enjoy His favour, support and help. He is full of goodwill
towards us. The very last thing He wants to do is curse us. In fact, Christ took
God’s curse on Himself that we might know only His blessing. Our experience of
His blessing began when we came to know Him, and it continues through life,
whatever condition we may be in, rich or poor, weak or strong, sick or healthy,
trouble-free or going through problems.
Jesus began His great Sermon on
the Mount with “Blessed be”. He poured out His blessing throughout His
ministry, because He went about doing good. When He ascended, he lifted up
his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was
taken up into heaven (Luke 24:50,51).
My God will meet all your
needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
Note that He gives “according to” His riches, not “out of” His riches.
If a millionaire gave to us “out of” his riches, we might get 50p. If he
gave “according to” his riches, we would get considerably more!
But what sort of blessings to we
mean? The man of the world, whose vision is limited by material things, would
want blessings of possessions, money, success, and fame. He cannot see how
God’s blessing rests on His people. Christians are no better off, and indeed,
often worse off, than the worldling. This is why the New Testament emphasises
that the blessings of which God speaks are spiritual blessings. It is true that
in the Old Testament blessing was measured by the amount of money, animals and
land a man had. But in the New Testament, spiritual blessings are what we are
promised. 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 (Ephesians
1:3). Certainly daily bread and clothing are promised. The Christian can rejoice
in having home, work and loved ones.
But the emphasis is on spiritual
blessing – things which mean nothing to the man of the world, but which are
priceless and mean everything to the man who knows the Lord and for whom
spiritual things mean the most. Since, then, you have been raised with
Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right
hand of God (Colossians 3:1). The Christian has a new dimension because of
His new relationship with God. God, His will, His glory mean everything. He is
centre of the life. Even when material blessings come – related to job and
finance and family – all are taken back to the Lord for His direction and
guidance and provision. If those material blessings are withdrawn again, His
purpose in all this, and His compensating grace is sought.
The Christian life is so
different from the world’s. What the world would view as miserable and
negative, the Christian finds thrilling and heart-warming, positive and
enriching. From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing
after another (John 1:16). Blessing for every occasion – trial,
disappointment, suffering of body and mind, fear and worry. His divine power
has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of
him who called us by his own glory and goodness (2 Peter 1:3).
“My never-failing treasury filled
With
boundless stores of grace.”
(John
Newton)
At the beginning of the liberation of France, there was
no transport, very little food. A Pastor’s wife was in despair because her
children were starving. A restaurant owner gave her a bag of potato peelings.
She boiled them with salt. It was their only meal. They were still weak and
despairing. Then she remembered she had a promise box, which she went and got
out. She prayed that God would give them a promise now. As she went to open the
box and take out one of the rolls of paper, her hand slipped, and all 300 little
rolls of paper fell into her lap. She realized as never before that all the
promises of God were “yes, and amen, in Christ Jesus.”
Because of the new birth we are born into a very rich family. Our Father is not poor, and so neither are we. We are not to be pitied, but to be envied.
Note that the blessing Aaron was instructed to impart was not just for Israel as a nation, but also for the individuals who made up the nation. “The Lord bless you” is singular. God singles out each individual. And even though this is the Old Testament, spiritual blessings are promised.
· Protection of the Father. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord watch over you, guard you, protect you, and hold onto you. You may be surrounded by those who would harm you, the world with its snares, people who want to trip you up, and would be pleased to see you fall, temptation round every corner, the devil prowling as a roaring lion. But remember, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you (Genesis 28:15). The Lord watches over you, the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm, he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore (Psalm 121:5-8). He is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day (2 Timothy 1:12). If we lean on Him, His promise is sure. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one (Matthew 6:13). Your life is now hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).
· Pardon of the Son. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His whole personality to you, show His pleasure and warmth towards you, and be gracious to you. Grace when we fail and disappoint Him. Grace to forgive and pardon us. And grace to live for Him and grace to serve Him, in every circumstance, and to endure the thorn in the flesh which the Lord has not taken away despite all your prayers. God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). What wonderful resources are available, waiting to be possessed.
·
Peace of the Holy Spirit. The Lord turn his face toward you and
give you peace. This is the supreme blessing for the Jew. Just as the
English greet each other with “How do you do?”, the Greek with
“Rejoice”, the Jews greet each other by wishing them rest of the spirit,
“Shalom”. In their greeting they recognise their deepest need – not just
an end of conflict, but positive blessing which gives stability, confidence and
security. For the Christian, they have the peace of God through the Cross, from
conversion right through life, a peace that passes all understanding. It is one
of the fruits of the spirit. There is no greater testimony to the power of the
Gospel than the calm spirit of the Christian as he passes through trials and
upheavals. We cannot earn it or work for it. It is the gift of the Spirit, as we
submit to His will, plan and power in our lives. May the Lord of peace
himself give you peace at all times and in every way (2 Thessalonians 3:16).
Hence in the Aaronic blessing we find the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They long to give us protection, pardon and peace. What an excellent way to end a service. What a pity we live below our income.
"So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them." (Numbers 6:27). Here is no vague wish by God to bless us, but He puts His name on us. God’s words are backed by God’s power. God insists and decrees this shall be so. Here is God’s loud “Amen”, reinforcing and guaranteeing He means what He says and will do all He has promised.
These words open to us all depth and riches of Christian life. It took Columbus a few seconds to land on the American Continent. It has taken centuries to explore, and still many of its wonders and treasures are yet to be found.
Why do we not enjoy the blessing God wants to shower on us? It comes back to our own fault. The sun is always shining, but mists and fogs of our own waywardness and fears rob us of so much as they hide His face and take away His blessing. Much talk of blessing is in theory. We admire it and praise it, but we do not know the reality.
To truly share the blessing, our life must be centred in God. We must be open to God and all He longs to do in us and through us. We want God’s blessings without God’s conditions – and it just will not work. We must let God have His way.
God has called us all to a glorious life. We may be small, despised and criticized by the world, but so what? If God will bless us, their curse will be a whistling wind. But remember God’s blessing is only for His people. The non-Christian is outside the circle of blessing. May these words create an aching heart and a longing which only God can meet. May the Lord write, “I will bless you” on all our hearts.
“Praise
God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise
Him all creatures here below;
Praise
Him above ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”
