The Benediction
Numbers 6:24-26 - “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The LORD lift his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
The one particular verse that is often quoted is in Numbers 6:24-26. When a verse is quoted so frequently, it can elicit two reactions - enjoyment from those who appreciate it or weariness from those who have heard it numerous times before. However, those who value God's word are thankful for the truth it provides.
This passage in Numbers 6:24-26 contains instructions from God to Moses regarding the Nazarite vow, which required individuals to separate themselves to the Lord. God instructed Moses to direct the priests, Aaron, and his sons to pronounce a Benediction upon the children of Israel as a means of sanctification.
The Benediction is significant because it highlights God's intention to bless His people. This emphasis on blessings has led many churches to incorporate the Benediction into their worship services.
In 1979, Professor Gabriel Barkay, an archaeologist at Bar-Ilan University, made a remarkable discovery while digging on Ketef Hinnom - a tomb containing two small silver scrolls that contained the text of this priestly Benediction.
While the discovery was significant, it took years for archaeologists to fully comprehend its value due to the poor condition of the scrolls. The scrolls were corroded and cracked, and the writing was difficult to read, making it hard to determine their age.
Initially, archaeologists believed that the scrolls were from the third or second century B.C. However, the use of advanced technology and computerized photo-imaging has enabled experts to examine and interpret the words inscribed on the scrolls better.
As a result of this scrutiny, Barkay has concluded that the scrolls can be traced back to the 7th century B.C. If this dating is accurate, the words on the scroll would be the oldest known evidence of a biblical text. If the scrolls are indeed from the 7th century, then they were written near the time when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem in 587 B.C., and the people of Judah were taken captive to Babylon. This dating would make the words on the scroll 400-450 years older than the biblical text of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the scrolls contain the written form of the word YHWH, the name of the Lord in Hebrew, for the first time. This discovery is a blessing for those who value God's written word because it provides evidence that it is accurate.
Our Prayer for today!
We humbly pray to You, our Lord, that You would continue to sanctify us and transform us to be more like You. We are grateful for the blessings that You have promised to those who remain in You. May we willingly surrender to Your will and follow Your guidance. Help us to understand that Your ultimate purpose is for us to become more like Christ in our thoughts, emotions, and actions. We ask for all of this in the name of Jesus, Amen.