Every night I say the same prayer with Edward as I tuck him in to bed. While he hasn’t memorized all of the words yet, he does say the word ‘you’ with me each time I say it;
“The Lord bless you (YOU) and keep you (YOU), the Lord make his face shine on you (YOU) and be gracious to you (YOU); the Lord turn his face toward you (YOU), and give you (YOU) peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
(I can see his pursed lips now.)
Reading this passage in my devotions this morning, the verse that follows this blessing struck me. Referencing the priests who were commanded by God to say these words to his people, the writer writes; “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:27
Every night I put God’s name on my son. And every night he puts God’s name on me.
Such a beautiful blessing.
Comments
Beautiful! Thanks John for this message which is especially appropriate for this holy week.
When our daughter Nicole, who has multiple disabilities, still lived with my wife and me, I would sing this blessing to her each evening using Michael Card's Barocha. After I finished, since she cannot use words, she would usually touch my face gently. So thinking about what your wrote about the Lord's name being put on you and Edward, Nicole's touch was her way to put the blessing (and the Lord's name) back on me. Thanks for making these blessed memories even better!
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