Blessed by GodExemplo

God Desires to Bless His People

The last few verses of Numbers 6 are a unique view into the heart of God concerning His desire to bless His people. We often ask God to bless us in various ways, but we may not be convinced of His willingness to do so. That is why we try to make bargains with God or even bribe Him from time to time. We tell Him that we will serve Him in such a way if He will only let us get that promotion at work. We tell Him we will increase our giving if He will enable us to land the big contract. We offer Him anything and everything if He will heal our spouse or our child.

Eventually, we realize God cannot be bought, bribed, or bargained, but He desires to bless His people. He may not choose to bless us in all the ways we want Him to, but as we mature as believers, we discover this is actually for our benefit. A great example of this is found in the book of Numbers, where God clearly shows how He desires to bless His children.

God gives Moses specific instructions for the blessing of the people of God. This is not something Moses (or anyone) requested but is the initiative of God. God tells Moses that the priests of Israel were to bless the people in a specified manner. The priests were the representatives of the people to God and of God to the people. God tells Moses to ensure the priests bestow God's blessing on the people. The words they were to speak over the people said of God Himself being present with the people. They were to speak of the "face of God" being turned toward His people so that they would be assured of God's awareness of them and presence with them. No blessing from God is equal to the blessing of being with God. When God's name is on us, God will bless us with His very presence. It is His desire and delight to do so. Jesus makes the point that if we give good gifts to our children, how much more will God give what is good, even the very presence of His own Spirit, to His children who seek His blessing? God's heart is to bless His children, even with His very presence.