Blessings

A Jewish home is thought to be a mikdash me'at, a miniature temple, small sanctuary, where blessings are spoken.

"The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD cause his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The LORD turn his face toward you and give you his shalom."

There are three parts to this blessing corresponding to the three persons of God. Three blessings in one.


First Blessing: "The LORD bless you and keep you." These words are from the Father and reveal two things about his nature. He is determined to bless and keep his children.

Second Blessing: "The LORD cause his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you." These words come from the Son , who put a face on the Father, so that when you saw Jesus, you saw the Father. John 14:9 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Cor 4:6


Third Blessing: "The LORD turn his face toward you and give you his shalom." These words are from the Holy Spirit, the person of God who confronts humanity with God's grace and is the agent of God's peace. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard you hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Phil4:7


Something else very interesting, when an ochocardiagram is made of the heart, it reveals that the tissues that separate the chambers of the heart form the letter "shin", which is a symbol for God. This reminded me of 2 passages Duet.6:6 "These commandments I give to you today are to be upon you hearts." and Proverbs 7:1-3 "My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of you eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them down on the tablet of your heart."


These thoughts are from John Garr's The Book of Blessings.


Shalom,

Sandi