Blessings
I look around, and I don’t have to look far, and see people who are afraid. Why are they afraid? Because everywhere you turn you see instability. If you don’t believe that, just turn on the news, the radio, or open a newspaper. It seems that our nation, our global economy, is going down the tubes. People are afraid.
I look into the pages of the Bible and see a nation known as Israel who were afraid to go into the Promised Land. The “news” told them that they could not take the land. There were giants there. They (Israel) would be crushed! Joshua and Caleb said, “We can take this land.” All the other “reporters” said, “It’s bad! We can’t go there!”
So, God sent them to do laps in a desert for forty years because they didn’t believe in Him when He told them to go into the land. They were afraid! They were in disobedience! So, the people of Israel wandered around until an entire generation had passed away except for Joshua and Caleb.
However, God did not hang them out to dry altogether or indefinitely. Did God not provide manna and water? Quail? Did He not protect them from enemies? Did He not bless them with children for a whole new generation? Of course He did! Did God withdraw entirely from them? No, he still led them by a cloud by day and fire by night. He did not withdraw from the “tent of meeting” where He met with Moses.
Numbers 6:22–27 (NASB95), “22 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 23 “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: 24 The Lord bless you, and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’ 27 “So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”
This passage is the oldest evidence of Scripture that exists, pre-dating the Dead Sea Scrolls by four hundred years! It is also the only prayer or blessing that was authored by God, The Father, in all the Bible!
In English it does not seem overwhelming. However, in Hebrew, it bowls me over! The meaning in Hebrew is much richer, deeper, beautiful, and meaningful! I wish that I could convey that meaning to you here, but it can’t be done in a simple article. Warren M. Marcus wrote and entire book about the meaning of this passage in Hebrew. That book was “The Priestly Prayer of the Blessing” published by Charisma House. I recommend reading it.
Question of the day. IF God provided for Israel in their disobedience for forty years, how much more would He have provided if they had obeyed, not listened to the majority of the “reporters”, and gone into the land?
Question of the month. How much more would God bless you if you walked in obedience to His word?
I don’t know about you, but I’m not going to live afraid. I’m not listening to the reporters. I know that my God is greater than the evil that stalks the land. I don’t know about you, but I’d like to see my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren receive their blessings before I die. Now, it’s confession time.
Father, I’ve not been faithful to my calling or the anointing on my life. I’ve missed sounding the trumpet a handful of times this past year at the appointed times. I’ve shrunk back in fear of being ridiculed and defamed publicly. I’ve held my tongue while others have abused my calling and anointing for their own agendas. I repent! It will not happen again!
I am The Old Watchman, Ezekiel. I Repent! It’s not a hard thing to do when you set your heart on the Father and His ways. After all, isn’t that what Jesus did? Did Jesus not say that He did what He saw the Father do and say what the Father said? Do we not have Holy Spirit dwelling within us to strengthen us and lead us to become more Christlike?
What’s holding you back?
