Waxing Lyrical
Numbers 6:22-26
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, 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.”
Micah’s kindergarten teacher at a hybrid homeschool/classical school a few years ago opened class each morning by singing a benediction of Numbers 6:23-26, and my family has been singing the little melody at our home ever since. I smile on those moments when I’m writing upstairs, sequestered in my room, and the sound that slips under my doorway to interrupt my train of thought isn’t the sound of arguing or screaming or something breaking but the sweet melody of this benediction. And the truth is, even on days when I don’t feel like singing the lines myself, my life is still immersed in them.
The LORD has spoken many things to Moses throughout his pilgrimage, sometimes through peels of thunder, sometimes through deep darkness, sometimes through a pillar of cloud, but often they’ve been hard to hear, hard to take, and hard to live out. I can’t help but wonder if Moses braces himself as the LORD draws near to speak another word. I wonder if he expects another list of ceremonial rites or perhaps bad news that someone else has offered unauthorized fire again. Can you imagine how melodious this word from God sounded when it met his ear?! I bet he lets out a childlike yelp of glee the way my son does when I tell him he can watch his favorite Sonic the Hedgehog movie! No way a poet like Moses goes back to the congregation and simply reads this benediction. I bet he puts his own melody to it and sings it at the top of his lungs till the song sweeps through the congregation and everyone’s singing along. Some sacred words demand silent meditation. Not these. These need a choir!
I had to put down my pen just now, get up from my chair by Parker Creek, and sing this benediction to my LORD with all my heart. Boy did the LORD meet me through it! Do the same, friend; and resolve to keep on singing it throughout the day.