We have embarked on Numbers in our Bible Challenge. And Moses and Aaron have a lot of counting to do, people, animals, tents. Maybe this is why this book is called Numbers.

In the midst of all the counting, we read these words, “You will bless the Israelites as follows. Say to them: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his face to you and grant you peace.” (Num 6:23-26) What a nice blessing in the middle of the rules, the laws, and the counting. These words offer love, kindness and peace, in the middle of, well the “busyness” of the Israelites current reality.

The nazarite’s are set apart to serve the Lord. There are a lot of rules for them, from what they eat, to how they dress, to their hairstyle. Some of us might wonder why they would do it? We know what we can not see, we believers know there is a love, a joy, a peace that comes from serving the Lord. When we read between the lines, we can imagine that the nazarite’s are blessed to offer blessings to God’s people.

To be called to share this blessing is special; a command from God. God says, “Use these words to bless my people…”(paraphrase) And I breathe a sigh of relief, in the middle of all the “busyness” of setting up this community of faith, God pauses and tells Moses to make sure Aaron tells the people God loves them. There are a lot of rules to follow. But through them all the people will receive the blessing of God’s face, shining on them, bringing them amazing grace and perfect peace.  We have to look in a mirror to see ourselves, but everyone else sees our face all day long. This blessing means God’s radiance shining on me will be for others to see. Imagine what it would mean if they can see God’s glory on our face? Imagine what it would mean if we carried grace and peace in our pours? Like the nazarite’s we are each blessed to be a blessing to the world.

In the middle of your busy day, who can you share a blessing with?

Can other’s see the glory of the Lord shining upon you?