The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)
These are not merely kind words—they are God’s own chosen words, spoken through the High Priest to bless His people. To have God’s face shine upon someone is to experience His favour, joy, and intimate presence. Israel was invited to live in that light, to seek His face continually—but too often they turned away. Today, we experience that same shining presence in an even deeper way. God has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). Jesus, our great High Priest, secures for us the grace and peace spoken in this ancient blessing. Truly, we ‘have the smiling of His face and all the refuge of His grace while here below’(Joseph Parker).