PEACE IS A PRESENT FROM GOD
Then 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; may the LORD cause His face
to shineH215 upon you and be gracious to you;
may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peaceH7965.’
So they shall put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
Numbers 6:22-27
We wanted a better understanding of the word “shine,” so we turned to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible:
H 215: 1) to be or become light, shine 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become light (day) 1a2) to shine (of the sun) 1a3) to become bright 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be illuminated 1b2) to become lighted up 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to give light, shine (of sun, moon, and stars) 1c2) to illumine, light up, cause to shine, shine 1c3) to kindle, light (candle, wood) 1c4) lighten (of the eyes, his law, etc) 1c5) to make shine (of the face). (12)
When a new father is handed his baby for the first time, his eyes light up; and he may even have the sparkle of tears of joy in his eyes. Our heavenly Father’s face lights up and shines down on us in grace and peace. The peace God gives us is not the temporary absence of any kind of trouble or trial. He grants us the ability to remain at peace, having a sense of wellness and wholeness even when the storm rages around us.
In some churches the pastor pronounces this blessing over the congregation as a benediction or parting statement. We know of more than one church choir that sings some version of this passage to end their service each week. This is the benediction the Lord instructed Moses to have Aaron and his sons pronounce over the Israelites, God’s chosen people. We, too, are His chosen, adopted children; and this blessing is ours as well.
We would do well to memorize this blessing. Singing one of the many settings of it would help you to internalize these words. Meditate on the fact that God “keeps” you—protects and provides. He beams when you come before Him in prayer. He graciously saved you and holds you in His hands. He gives you His peace that “surpasses all comprehension” (Philippians 2:7) when you trust in Him.
Father, thank you for protecting, providing, and giving us peace no matter what trials we may face. Thank You for blessing us, Your children.
Worship along with churches across the United Kingdom:
Or enjoy a more traditional setting of this passage here: