Words for the Ages

The Lord bless you and keep you, The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 

Recently I have been reading the book—Rabbi Jesus, an Intimate Biography by Bruce Chilton. It focuses on the Jewish Life and Teaching that Inspired Christianity. The book notes that Jesus was probably born at the time of year that was cool and clear. Guests at Jesus’s circumcision would wear rough woolen cloaks over their basic flax tunics for warmth. Beside Jesus’s home, would be a central courtyard. Mary would give Joseph the baby who carried him into the courtyard reenacting Abraham’s willingness to circumcise Isaac on the eighth day and even, if necessary, to sacrifice his son. A skilled village dignitary would perform the circumcision and then carry away the unclean foreskin on a broken pottery shard and dispose of it in an abandoned spot outside the village. The wound was then dressed in a combination of wine and olive oil with balm from a terebinth tree and cumin. A drop of this same wine was given to Jesus to lessen the pain. Then the wine was given out for the celebration afterwards along with bread, meat, and lamb stew with leeks, lentils, and onions. The elders who joined in the ceremony were inspired that such rituals were needed for the survival and prosperity of Israel.  Jesus’s circumcision represented the endurance of the people of  God. Each elder had a role in this perpetuation, but only one elder, descended from the tribe of Levi, was authorized to give the infant the priestly blessing—

“The Lord bless you and keep you, The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

This familiar blessing or benediction was very familiar for me—I’ve heard it all my life either from a pastor’s closing of worship, or sung as a response by a church choir. I had no idea how old it was. It was given to Moses from God when the Israelites were still wandering in the desert. It is ancient and still gives us the promise of God’s graciousness and peace.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for being with your people throughout the ages. Thank you that the rituals that we celebrate draw us closer to you. Help us remember that Jesus was a Jew and his life revolved around the practices of the Jewish communities. Help us to have your peace as we prepare for Lent. Amen.

Nancy Hall