"When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them" Luke:24:50
Even as the people of Israel journeyed through the wilderness, the Lord God gave the Priesthood who ministered before Him a blessing that they might bestow upon the people of Israel.This blessing has been traditionally called Birkat Kohanim, or the Priestly Blessing .
This Blessing is found in the Old Testament Book of Numbers written by God's Servant Moses. It is called by some Biblical Scholars "the Lord's Prayer " of the Old Testament
"The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:“ ‘ “May 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.” ’ “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Numbers:6:22-27
My Name Upon Them
It was believed in the culture of that time that a name given carried with it an influence upon the life of the child, that based on the name given the child would manifest in their life the meaning of the name. It was therefore important to not only vest a proper and the family name but God's name as well, showing God's rightful claim over the life of the child and to make possible in the that life blessings.
“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Numbers:6:27
God's name is ever upon Israel and upon it's people.
A Life of Worship
Reviving the blessing from the Priest contained within it a blessing for and of the worship of the great God. It was to convey into the life of the nation a recognition of Who the Lord God is Who delivered them and kept them, providing every good thing.
"May the Lord Bless you" (24)
This literally means to be "on bended knees" , that is worship. There are untold blessings which come to a life that is filled with worship of the God of the Holy Scriptures. Such a life is preserved and peaceful. A life of worship is a life of reliance in and acknowledgement of the God of Bible. It conveys the sense that it is a blessing to worship God.
As a Shepard
"and keep you"(24)
This speaks of the Lord as keeping Israel(or Christians) in the same way that a Shepherd keeps or watches over his flock . A Shepherd would build a hedge around his flock that encircled them, he, himself would stay at the entrance or the "gate" of the hedge ever vigilant and watchful against any harm. Willing to die to protect the flock. Leading, caring for and walking among the sheep to give them assurance that he is there.This blessing, of the Lord being all to Israel , or to us, that a Shepard is to his flock is a blessing bestowed in the Priestly Blessing.
Shine on You
"May He make His face to shine on you"(25)
This is to bless us that we might know our the Lord is beaming at us, that is, He is smiling upon us will good pleasure in joy He looks at us lovingly , longingly and full of gladness that Israel and any and all who will but freely receive it are wanted and loved by the Great God. The Shining of His countenance is as vital to life as the rising sun. His radiant countenance that shines forth only reveals the love of His heart toward us.
He Wants Us
"and be gracious to you"(25)
God wants us to know that He wants us all, as He wanted Israel. That in all things He knows our weakness and frailties. He is tolerant of our failings. The Lord knows our needs and and He is most willing to provide for us. He is ever inclined toward us. His loving arms are opened wide inviting us to embrace His loving care. His forgiveness always there.
Facing Us
"may He turn His face toward you"(26)
He
is turned toward us, His eye upon us, He sees us, He knows us. We are
the center of His attention.We are in His view. He is receptive to us and has acceptance of us .He looks on us to see us to know us and we to know Him. He wants us to recognize Him. To distinguish His working in our lives. To face Him even as He faces us. To know that He will not turn His back on us. To see Him clearly with out obstructions.
Peace
"and give you peace" (26)
The Lord is the very source of peace, Israel needed peace even as we now do. There is a great peace upon those who worship the God of the Scriptures. This peace of which the Lord is the giver of sets free a people, individually and as a nation to have quite and security in life. There is an absents of confusion and strife.
This peace allows us to conduct our lives without distractions. There is calm and a nurturing environment.
We can be at rest.
The Priestly Blessing
This Blessing conferred upon the people of Israel could only be discharged through and by the Priesthood of the Sons of Aaron. It was given to them by God to extend it into the life of the people. It was order so that the people might know that such great blessing were obtained only through the God of Israel. The Priesthood stood as His representatives among the people.
This Priestly Blessing, Birkat Kohanim, began, over time to be a benediction spoken upon the congregations meeting in the synagogues each week on the Sabbath as their worship service concluded. This benediction blessing would carry the people throughout another week until they met again in worship.
Raising the Hands
| the Shin |
As services ended , whether at the Temple or giving the blessing in the weekly gathering the Priest would raise his hands , this lifting of the hands was called Nesiat Kapyim., and the Priests would with his hands lifted and extended touch his thumbs and separate their fingers to form the Hebrew letter "Shin " with each hand representing the name of God "Shaddai" which means "the All Sufficient God" . This the God Who bestows all the Blessings spoken in the Birkat Kohanim upon Israel or the individual, upon us today who have come to believe in our Lord Jesus Christ Who is all these things and more.
The space between the thumbs of each hand represents the windows or portals of Heaven, through which the Blessing pour forth into the life of any receiving the Birkat Kohanim
Jesus Lifts His Hands
It is possible, though we might never know for certain this side of Eternity, that at the accession of our Lord Jesus , that He Himself, as the great High Priest of God for all peoples, lifted His nail pierced hands, that is Nesiat Kapyim , and forming the Shin and spoke the blessing of the Birkat Kohanim and more, upon His disciples then and in all ages.
"When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.
While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.
Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God." Luke:24:50-53
All the Blessings contained with in the Birkat Kohanim and more, are ours in abundance all through He who is the "All Sufficient One" , our Lord Jesus Christ.
‘ “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.” .....Amen
Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor
The
Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
2101 Old National Pike
Washington,
Pennsylvania.
www.gcfountainoflife.org
The
Fountain of Life is heard on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in
Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM in the Arden Fair Grounds area
of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela,
Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com
No comments:
Post a Comment