Reflection:

This generational blessing in Numbers is one of the most famous blessings God gave to Moses, who bequeathed it to Aaron to tell the people. God’s name was so important, as well as the powerful motif of God’s face shining on the people.

The blessing is powerful because it forecast the future of the coming of Christ, his Son, on whose face humans looked. Before this, looking upon God was disrespectful, and those who disobeyed were met with death. But through Christ’s intervention, we can now face God and live with God – who is IN us!

During the Covid-19 years, when many of us had to stay at home, a movement started that inspired many of us. Through Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes penning a song called ‘The Blessing’, musicians and church choirs collaborated in most countries to perform remote recordings that synced together in technical harmony. With this recording, we could worship together in wonderful unity…’face to face’.

My favourite version was The UK Blessing. It included Christian rappers as well as Salvation Army performers, who were recording in their own kitchens or bedrooms. This inspired me through many hard times and brought me to tears, as I saw fellow believers’ faces and passion for our God. One verse in particular was special to me:

“May His favour be upon you
And a thousand generations
And your family and your children
And their children, and their children.”

Prayer:

Lord bless me and keep me
the Lord make his face shine on me
and be gracious to me
the Lord turn his face toward me
and give me peace.