Numbers 6:26
the Lord lift up his countenance[a] upon you and give you peace. English Standard Version (ESV)
Today's verse comes from the end of the blessing that Moses conveys to Aaron and his sons. It is often given as a benediction to sermons with the intent of sending the congregation off with a blessing. They are encouraging words, words of comfort and hope as we head back out into the real world.
As so often is the case with some of the verses that we hear quite often, it is easy for us to gloss over some of the words, especially if we read them in "old English". The word countenance is not one that we often use in modern day conversation. The Message below translates it as God looking at you "straight in the face". Greg Laurie notes that" it means to "lift up His face. Another way to translate it is "to look, to see. to know, to be interested and to have one's full attention." His words paint a picture of a parent looking at their child who is downcast, disappointed, perhaps even guilty of something, putting both hands on their cheeks you raise their head and tell them "I love you and its gonna be all right. Most likely you've done that to a child, perhaps a spouse or a close friend. Can you recall the last time someone did that for you? How did it make you feel?
That is how God is with us, when we are downcast unsure of what the day may hold, the prayer, the blessing for you is that God will lift up your face and tell you "I love you, it is gonna be all right". He says this with tenderness, with eyes of love, and He lays hold of you with the nail scarred hands that give evidence of just how much He does love you and how far He's gone to make you know and to assure you that He truly cares for you and will to the end.
Read the full blessing below, may it add a bounce to your step today as God looks you full in the face to give you peace.
Numbers 6:22-26The Message (MSG)
The Aaronic Blessing
22-23 God spoke to Moses: "Tell Aaron and his sons, This is how you are to bless the People of Israel. Say to them,
24 God bless you and keep you,
25 God smile on you and gift you,
26
God look you full in the face
and make you prosper.
and make you prosper.
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