Torah Commentary Archives

Naso (Take)

Numbers 4:21-7:89

Judges 13:2-25

John 7:53-8:11

Acts 21:17-32

Order and a Blessing

Do you ever take a moment and think about where you were a year ago? Maybe you look back at photos or your calendar. Does a year ago seem like an eternity sometimes? Think about the Hebrews. About a year earlier they were walking out of Egypt on a new exciting journey. They had no idea where the next year would take them and the events that would transpire. They were through the waters of the Sea and to Mt. Sinai to receive not only the Torah, but the instructions for building the Tabernacle. Now that it is built, what are they to do but move on? Not so fast. First there is the order of who will go when and who will carry what. Unfortunately this is a great opportunity for jealousy to arise in the camp. Imagine a bit of murmuring over, “But I wanted to go first.” Of course WE have “never” done anything like that (sarcasm included)! Now I did hear a murmur of complaint given a few weeks ago when the elders were directed to have the privilege to go first in the food line!

Truth is, with every journey there must be order. This is true regarding a trip of thousands of miles or around the corner to the grocery store. Ever seen a child seat in the driver's seat? It's called order. Order is putting the luggage in the trunk and not in the engine compartment. Order is putting on seat belts and adjusting mirrors. These chapters of Numbers are about order and should cause us to consider whether we are taking order in our journey as serious as we should.

Let's consider a long trip. What do you do when everything has been loaded in the car, the mirrors are adjusted, seat adjusted, seat belts on? If you have my wife in the car, you take time to pray! You ask Yah's blessing and safety for the trip ahead. You ask Him to be a part of the journey with you. BTW, this happens with my wife in the car or not! Just in case you were wondering.

The Hebrews were given instructions for order and then given a blessing for their journey. It is referred to as the Aaronic Blessing. For many of us we probably became familiar with it around the same time we heard the Shema. What is this blessing about though? Let's take it verse by verse.

"May YH VH bless you and keep you"

The thought the Holy One would look upon each of us, turning His attention to us and would provide the blessings and protection we each need to walk through this life is a thought beyond this human's comprehension. He does desire to bring forth spiritual, emotional and physical blessings in the lives of all of His children, but is bound by His word to only bless those who are obedient. In desiring to bless us, his first thought is we would be obedient. This in itself is a great blessing. We can also be assured that every circumstance of our lives is directed and protected by Him. We understand in the words of keeping us that the safest place on earth is in the center of His will.

"May YH VH make His face shine on you and show you His favor."

I see this verse like a smile on the face of a father to loving and obedient children. We can learn about this verse from our own children. When they are making you proud of your name, which they bare, it is so much easier to say yes to a desire they request. You take pleasure in giving special gifts and favors to them.

May YH VH lift up His face toward you and give you shalom.

The first part of the verse is similar to the last verse, but takes the blessing to a new level. To lift up your face is to throw your shoulders back in delight and allow not only the person, but those around to see the love and admiration you have for the person. To bring forth shalom in their lives is not the same as the word peace in English. Peace is simply the absence of a war that could begin at any moment. Peace is an external word. Shalom is a security which goes deep into one's inner man and produces an assurance that no matter how things look on the outside, you are coming through as an overcomer.

This is a brief look at the meaning of the verses as we read them in English. It is nothing compared to their Hebrew meaning!

Another thought on the verse. The Aaronic Blessing has been used in many ways through the years. It is used to speak a blessing over anyone and everyone these days. Is this how HaShem intended the verse to be used? His word tells us the answer to this question is no. In verse 27 He told Moshe and Aharon to use it to put His name on the people of Israel. This is not a blessing to be spoken over just anyone. It is a blessing reserved only for His people, those who are the children of Israel. It is a blessing invoking the name of the Most Holy One on His people. Simply put, you have to have His name before you can have His blessing! If you are outside of the family of God, these words are not for you. His desire is all would come to Him, have His name upon them and for them to receive the wonderful blessings of Numbers 6 in the Aaronic blessing.

Let's take these words and their use a bit more serious in the future. May we understand these words are personal words. They are only to be used upon people who are truly His and not just thrown around wherever one may feel. These are words given to us by our Father and help us to realize how great His love for us is and how much He desires to be a part of our lives. His desire to be a part of our lives is the amazing mystery of the universe!