The Lord Bless You and Keep You

In 1975-1976, Z. Meshel and his archaeological team discovered a Hebrew inscription on a jar at Kuntillet `Ajrud in the Upper Sinai dating from the eighth century B. C., containing these words: "The Lord bless you and keep you and be with you."

In 1980, G. Barkai and his archaeological team discovered two small inscribed silver plaques, fashioned in the form of women jewelry found in the burial caves at Keteph Hinnom, dating from the late seventh century B. C. Essentially, these two plaques contain Numbers 6:24-26--the so-called priestly blessing.

For many years at Abilene Christian University, it was a unanimous decision to conclude the last chapel each semester by singing together the song: "The Lord Bless You and Keep You," which, obviously, is a choral adaptation of Numbers 6:24-26.

This poem contains three simple blessings.
1. Concrete gifts--blessing and security.
2. The hope that God will be well disposed toward the person (to lighten or shine upon the worshiper) and thus temper judgment with mercy (to be gracious).
3. Assertion that God will pay attention (lift his face), thus providing fullness of life (peace).

Here is this blessing:
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Make God bless you daily through this ancient blessing--the oldest extant written text in the entire Bible.

How do YOU respond to this blessing?

John Willis