I love hearing missionary stories.  It was a delight to listen to our Guatemala team as they shared their experiences during their mission.  If you missed it, here is a link to the recording.

For the next few weeks I will be sharing some thoughts from the priestly blessing for the people Israel found in Numbers 6:22-27 (NIV).

The LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. 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 turn his face toward you 
      and give you peace.”‘

“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

This passage is familiar to most of you, and it has become a favorite of mine.  I have been reflecting on it for a while and realized that I would like to understand it more fully, since I recite it almost daily over my family and as a benediction following most of my talks.

The biggest surprise for me in beginning to study this passage is that these are not just happy words, though they do bring joy, but an expression of covenantal love from God toward his people.  And as such, it requires a response from his people.  Even though as Christians, we are under a new covenant established through the work of Jesus Christ, we can learn how to live covenantally* from this passage, since it has found its fulfillment in Christ.  My encouragement this week is to reflect on this passage, reading it as God’s words to you.  I have been blessed by them, I pray you will be, too.

Grace and peace,

Brook 

* living covenantally: committing our selves to live within God’s commitments toward us