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NUMBERS 6:24

"THE LORD BLESS YOU"

I. THE TWO FOLD FUNCTION OF THE PRIEST.
        A. To stand before God representing the people.
                1. Sinful man could not approach a holy God.
                        a. He would bring his sacrifice offering to the priest.
                                1. If he sought forgiveness. (Sin)
                                2. If he sought to consecrate himself. (Burnt)
                                3. If he wanted to commune. (Peace.
                        b. The priest would take the offering before the Lord.
                2. The priest was a mediator between God and man.
                3. The whole worship system of the tabernacle and priesthood, demonstrated
                   the great breach sin caused between God and man.
                        a. You who think you can approach God apart from Jesus Christ
                           better think again.
        B. He was to stand before the people representing God.
                1. Unfortunately. God has often been misrepresented.
                2. To listen to some people you would think that God was wanting
                   to damn you.
                3. Coming out from the presence of God the priest would raise his hands
                   over the people and pronounce this blessing.

II. THE LORD BLESS THEE.
        A. The first blessing was His keeping love.
                1. In another benediction Jude said. "now unto Him who is able to
                   keep you..."
                2. Peter speaks of the inheritance, incorruptible undefiled... "for you who
                   are kept by..."
                3. David said. "except the Lord keep the city.."
                4. What can I say about God's keeping power? 
                        a. I depend upon it.
                        b. Without it I would surely stumble and fall.
                        c. I thank God for it daily.
        B. The Lord make His face to shine upon thee; and be gracious unto thee.
                1. This blessing fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
                        a. "His face did shine as the sun."
                        b. "..grace and truth by Jesus Christ."
                2. Dark clouds are symbols of gloom or despair, impending storm or fury.
                3. For God's face to shine, speaks of joy, hope, impending blessings.
                4. The blessing of God's grace.
                        a. God's undeserved goodness.
                        b. "By grace are you saved through faith."
                        c. May your life abound in the grace of God.
        C. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace.
                1. What is meant by "lift up His countenance?"
                        a. A fallen countenance is a scowl and signifies disapproval.
                        b. A lifted up countenance is a smile and expresses approval.
                2. How many times when growing up did I look at my dad's face.
                        a. I was reading his body language.
                                1. If he was scowling I knew I was in trouble.
                                2. If he was smiling I was at peace.
        D. The threefold blessing was His keeping. His grace and His peace.
                1. In New Testament threefold benediction.
                        11 Cor. 13:14.  "May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. The love
                        of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all."

III. THIS IS HOW GOD WANTED HIS NAME TO BE PUT UPON THE PEOPLE.
        A. He wants you to relate His name to blessings and love, not to curses and hate.