“The Lord turn His face toward you” (Numbers 6:26).

Do you reflexively utter “God bless you” when someone sneezes? Are you trying to protect that person’s soul from escaping? Making sure God restarts their heart? (These and more explanations for the supposed dangers of sneezing can be yours with a quick Google search.) Even though we understand sneezing better now, and we’re not protecting anyone’s health, it’s become a mark of good manners to acknowledge the sneeze. Superstition and magical thinking, however, are not the origin of Biblical blessings. God is.

Arguably the most famous blessing in the Bible comes to Moses from God Himself, as He provides the words for the priestly blessing over Israel. For decades, Aaron and his sons spoke them over the Jewish nation; even today, centuries later, pastors and priests utter the same blessing to conclude their services. We’ve even set it to music:

The Lord bless you and keep you / the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; / the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace (Numbers 6:22-26).

There’s no quick, reflexive “bless you” here. God Himself turns His face toward His people. He is their blessing. And His face shines upon them! Ancient Israelites knew no one could look upon the face of God and live. Yet Moses and the psalmists plead to see His face and despair when He hides His face from them. How gracious that God’s very face now shines upon them. This, then, is the blessing: being in personal relationship with the God Who sees us. God’s protection, graciousness, and peace are by-products. While those are wonderful, the fundamental, core blessing is God being with His people, “putting [His] name on them, and bless[ing] them” (v.27). 

Pastors Alex and Jaime end their services with a benediction similar to the Old Testament priestly blessing. Their focus is the same as theirs was: the core blessing itself is God’s presence going with us. His presence brings with it His peace, strength, and joy:

As you go, may the Prince of Peace go with you and give you courage and strength for the road ahead, whatever it may hold, and may you know His great joy over you. Go in peace.

We don’t earn either a priestly blessing or a pastor’s benediction: God gives Himself freely without any conditions. But the implication is we have a responsibility to honor and love God in return. “As we go,” we don’t leave God’s presence behind in the sanctuary. God has set His name on us as surely as He did on the Israelites (v.27). So, as His face shines on us, as He walks with us, we must allow His grace, strength, joy, and peace overflow us to those we encounter. Together, we can change the atmosphere.