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| The Jewish Priest held his hands a certain way when he blessed. (We practiced trying to hold our hands this way) |
The Priestly Blessing
Our Bible Study teacher was
referring to the Altar of Incense in the Tent Tabernacle. We were reminded that our prayers are as
sweet incense before God as we pray and worship. From my notes I present an
edited message:
As Jesus died on the cross,
the veil of the Holies of Holies in the temple was torn in two from the top to
the bottom. The finger of God reached
out and ripped the curtain so that we might enter into the Holy Place
In the tent tabernacle as the
priest burnt the incense, he would pronounce a blessing over the people. This was relating to the "Altar of incense,"
where the special perfume was crushed and the fragrance filled the temple and
drifted out to the congregation.
This is a picture of the Holy
Spirit poured out upon those who position themselves to receive.
The Priest wore special
garments made to specifications with beautiful stones on a breastplate
representing the twelve tribes. He was to perform the offerings and ceremonies
carefully and in the order regulated by God.
Then the Priest would come out and bless the people. While the blessing was being said, the people
were not to look at him, but were to keep their heads bowed and their eyes to
the ground. From the fingers of the
Priest would come light as he gave the blessing.
We try to picture it, but it
may not be exactly what we can imagine.
It must have been a beautiful and glorious sight, and such an intimate
approval of God’s pleasure.
One of the names of God is El Shaddai;
meaning “God Almighty.” He is our Protector; He is omnipotent and
All-powerful.
The Blessing pronounced over
the people was from: Numbers 6:25 “The LORD make his face shine upon you, and
be gracious unto you: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee
peace. So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel
Can you picture God as a
loving father holding a child? This is
the savor and flavor of Christ our King and our intimate relationship with Him
as Lord.
God who created the universe
desires to be intimate with each of us.
His desire is to prosper us with good health and with provision. His face shines with pleasure in His people.
Abraham returning from battle
met Melchizedek King of Salem, a
priest onto God of the Most High. He
blessed Abraham and offered him bread and the spoils. Abraham refused to take anything other than
what his men had eaten, lest it be said that Melchizedek had made him rich. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek as an
example to us. It is interesting that
there is no record of the linage of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:20 tells us that
Jesus was made a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek and He forever
lives. The Priesthood changed with Jesus
and also the law. Jesus made a better
testament and a better covenant.
Jesus was born from the line
of Judah Judah
God raised Jesus from the
dead, and He ever lives to make intercession for us.
Can you see Jesus now
granting to you and me the Blessing and His face shining upon us?
1 comment:
As usual, all I can say is: Bless you and thank you!!
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