How God Expresses His Love for UsIsampula

The Divine Hug

God’s Story

From above the atonement cover and the frozen awe of the cherubim, God continues to speak to Moses from the Most Holy Place. If a man suspects his wife of adultery, he can bring her to the tabernacle and, under the guidance of the priest, have her drink water that will reveal her guilt or innocence. And if men or women want to dedicate themselves totally to the Lord for a time, there is a special vow they can take. God gives Aaron and his sons the words of the priestly blessing — he wants his love habitually lavished upon his people.

After Moses finishes setting up the tabernacle, the leaders of Israel’s 12 tribes donate carts and oxen so that the tabernacle can be transported as the nation travels. And for 12 days — one day for each tribe — the leaders of Israel present monumentally generous offerings before the altar. It’s time for its dedication. In the presence of all the people, Moses and Aaron purify and commission the Levites, and they go to work in God’s holy dwelling place.

The King’s Heart

God could have chosen any words for Aaron to speak over his people. But he wanted them to regularly hear this: “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” (Numbers 6:24 – 26).

In Jewish culture, a spoken blessing is considered a tangible gift, an impartation. As Aaron would stand before the people, raising his hands and speaking the blessing over them, their heads would be bowed in an act of humble receiving. God was speaking these realities into his people, pushing his love into their hearts. This blessing is a divine hug.

God’s face turned toward and shining on his people is his smile. The “peace” the blessing speaks of is shalom. It’s not solely an inner peace; it is physical wholeness and complete well-being.

God wants his people to continually stand in the warmth of his love and delight, and for his poured-out love and graciousness to bring them peace and wholeness. He wants his love to be their security and their identity. Each time the blessing is spoken, it is a proclamation from God’s heart: “I love you. You are mine. And I am taking care of you.”

Insight

The lampstand Aaron tended to daily might be a picture of one that burns before God’s throne (see Revelation 4:5).