The Face

The Blessing

By William M. Self, Sr.

 

 

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have

been brought near through the blood of Christ.”

Ephesians 2:13 NIV

Lord spoke with Moses "face to face,

 as a man speaks to his friend."

Yet this was not enough for Moses

Moses said, “Show me your glory”

 

The Face

The word face may not appear twice in many

translations of the Aaronic or Priestly Blessing.

But the Hebrew word “paniym” in the

second and third phrase, verses 25 and 26.

“The Hebrew word פנים (paniym) is a plural word and

reflects the Hebraic sense of motion as the face reflects

many different moods, emotions and thoughts. This

Hebrew word can mean the face but also the "presence"

or the "wholeness of being" of an individual.”

It seems that the word “paniym” is translated in the

KJV as “presence” some 76 times as seen in Psalm 16:11.

                              “In Your presence is fullness of joy;                                 

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

NKJV

In Exodus 33, we are given the account

of a meeting between Moses and God. 

Verse 11 states that the Lord spoke with Moses

 "face to face, as a man speaks to his friend."

In verse 18, Moses had an intense

conversation with the Lord.

Moses asked to see His Glory.

The Lord granted him the request, but said…

"I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you,

and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence.

 I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have

compassion on whom I will have compassion. But," he said,

 "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."

Exodus 33:19-20 NIV

The curse of sin has veiled the face of the Lord.

 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away

have been brought near through the blood of Christ.”

 Ephesians 2:13 NIV

The Aaronic, priestly blessing is real.

More real today than in the day of

Moses because of the blood of Jesus…

We can enter into His presence.

But like Moses we, too, must press into

His presence to see the Lord face to face

and see His glory and receive the blessing. 

Scripture Reading

Numbers 6:22-27 NIV

22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 "Tell Aaron and his sons,

'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. 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 turn his face toward you

and give you peace." ' 

27 "So they will put my name on the Israelites,

and I will bless them."