The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 80

ings full enough for the whole world, has an appropriate benediction for the neediest of his children (Ps. xl. 17). The sunlight is for the sake of the tiniest insect and seed,. ling as well 11,8 for the whole human race; and God's blessing fa for the sick child in the cottage as much as for "the holy Church throughout all the world" (Pe. xxv. 10; Rom. viii. 28). 4. This priestly benediction supplied or suggested the sub• stance of many prayers and benedictions in later days. Echoes of it are hears. repeatedly in the Book of Psalms (e. q. Ps. iv. 6; uix. ll; xx.xi. 16; Ixvii. 1 • lx:u. 3; cxxi.; c:s:xxiv.). As God's mercies are from eYerlnsting to everlasting, ~nd ant "l"e,v every morning,•: so God's words of benediction are like germs of beauty and fruitfulness, reproducing themselves from generation to generation in new and precious fom1s. "The form of sound words " may be &. valuable heritage in the Church of God. II. THE I'ARTlcut.ARS OF TRE nLESSINO. Each clause of 1.lie triple blessing con- tains a promise from God. Combining these, we find that the blessing includes these three favours: protection (ver. 24), pardon (ver. 25), peace (ver. 26). 1. Pro- tecti(/1/,. "The blessing of God," says Calvin, "is the goodness of God in action, by which a supply of all good pours down to us from his favour, as from its only fountain." We can confidently commend ourselves and all who are the" blessed of the Lord," to his keeping, both in regard to spiritual preservation (1 These. v. 23, 24) and temporal deliverances (Ps. xci. 11; Isa. xxvii. 3). Because our High Priest has offered the prayer (John xvii. 11), we may utter the doxology (2 Tim. iv. 18; Jude 21, 25). 2. Pardon (ver. 25). The face of the Lord represents the aspect which God bears towards man, whether of sunshine and favour (Ps. xxi. 6; xx.xiv. 15; cxix. 135; Dan. ix. 17) or cloud and wrath (Exod. xiv. 24; Ps. :uxiv. 16; Levit. :u-ii. 10; xx.. 3). The shining of God's countenance is an assurance that God will be gracious ; its shining upon " thee" a pledge that we have received the grace and pardon we need (Ps. x:ui. 16 ; Im. 3). The little child feels the difference between the shining and the a"t"erted face of the mother, and the Christian cries, Ps. cxlili. 3 7. If God grants us to hear "the joyful sound " of forgiveness, we "walk all day long in the light of his countenance." 3. Peace (ver. 26). The lifting up of God's countenance may suggest bis active intervention to secul'e to us the blessing of peace. Illu.strate, sun rising on the world, "with healing in it& wings." Such looks from God will compensate for earthly privations (Ps. iv. 6, 7'), and the expectation of them may Slllltain llil in the night of trouble (Ps. xiii. 5). The Christian's peace is" the peace of God," "my peace," communicated by Divine power to the soul (John xiv. 27 ; xv. 11 ; Phil. iv. 6, 7). These/rayers of blessing remind us that all the relations of life may be thus sanctifie , and our warmest wishes breathed forth in the form of prayers : e. g_. pastor for flock (Eph. vi. 23, 24 ; 2 These. iii. 16); Christian for fellow-worshipper (Pa. cxviii. 26; cx:xxiv. 3); master for servants (Ruth ii. 4; 2 Sam. vi. 18, 20); friend for correspondent (2 Tim. iv. 22). But our words of blessing avail not unless God adds his "Amen," as he promises iD ver. 27. Our benediction, whether of men or God, is only in words; God's blessing is in deeds. His blessing when pledged cannot be reversed (Gen. uii. 16--18 ; Numb. x:xiil. 19, 20). Spiritual blessings are part of the new covenant, which by faith we may enjoy for ourselves and invoke on others (Eph. i. 1-3, 16--19).-P. Vers. 22-26.-The benedictwn thr<Y/J,gh the priests. A beautiful and touching benediction, and more beautiful for the place in which we come upon it. It is found in the midst of stem commandments and restrictions, minute specifications of duty, dreadful punishments for disobedience and rebellion, How clearly it thus shows that all Jehovah was requiriug and doing was for the people's good. Note- I. THE VERBAL CHANNEL OF THIS BENEDICTION. Spoken through AarOl'I and hi, sons. It became an office of the priest as much as were any of the sacrifices. He was not only the way from men to GoJ, bui very tenderly from God to men. It was not a blessing to each tribe to be pronounced by its head, nor for each household to be spoken by the father, though doubtless in many families it Wll8 repeated1 cxplain,;d, and impressed. Aaron was the great ojfidal mediator between God ana the people. Doubtless this benediction was to form a part in all solemn approaches of the priest to the people. It would come to them when in the discharge of sacred OB. VJ, 22-27.] THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. Flt