Tuesday within the Octave of the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Posted on May 28, 2024 by under
Scripture: Numbers 6:22-27 (NKJV)
6:22 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 “The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
26 “The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”’
27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
Devotion
This blessing that was taught to Aaron holds a tremendous amount of meaning and symbolism. The three-fold mention of the Lord’s name points forward to the fuller revelation of the Holy Trinity in the work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. The sons of Aaron were to bless the children of Israel with this holy name as part of their faithful worship. Placing the name of God on them with the promise of His blessings also foreshadows the blessing of Baptism, where His name and all the blessings of Christ crucified are placed on those who are made children of God. The pastors of His Church are commanded to wash them and bless them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who brings all such holy blessings upon His people.
Our forefathers in the faith rightly maintained this Old Testament blessing in the worship of the New Testament Church. It shows that we are still of the one, historic faith that God teaches throughout His Holy Scriptures. The things that were taught to Moses and Aaron were good and holy, but they have been brought to greater clarity and broader application of His blessings through the fulfillment of Christ Jesus and the ongoing work of His Holy Spirit!
Collect: Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hast given unto us, Thy servants, grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity: We beseech Thee, that Thou wouldst keep us steadfast in this faith, and evermore defend us from all adversities; Who livest and reignest, One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
