18 September Leviticus 9

The power of a spoken blessing

Leviticus 9:22-23 (AMP) “Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them, and came down [from the altar of burnt offering] after presenting the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offerings. Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory and brilliance of the Lord [the Shekinah cloud] appeared to all the people [as promised]”.

Aaron concluded by praying a blessing to the people. Our words greatly influence the lives of those around us, and spoken blessings can bring hope, encouragement, and direction. A spoken blessing is a positive, Biblical statement invokes God's blessing on another's life. The power of spoken blessings comes from God. This is amplified by two proverbs:

Proverbs 18:21 (AMP) “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words”.

Proverbs 16:24 (AMP) “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body”.

A spoken blessing does good to those who hear it. In the New Testament, the English word bless is a translation of the Greek word εὐλογέω (eulogéō). Eulogeo means “to speak well of, i.e. (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper): bless, praise.”

The priestly blessing recorded in Numbers 6:24–26 provides an excellent example of a Godly blessing. Numbers 6:24-26 (NKJV) “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”

In conclusion, the power of a spoken blessing is profound and rooted deeply in the divine authority granted by God. As we see in the examples of Aaron and Moses, a blessing spoken in faith and accordance with God's will usher in His presence and favour, as evidenced by the appearance of His glory before the people. When aligned with God's promises, our words can bring life, healing, and peace to those who receive them.

The priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24-26 is a timeless model for us, encapsulating the heart of God's desire for His people: to bless, protect, and give peace. When we speak blessings over others, we participate in this divine act of spreading God's grace and favour. Therefore, let us be mindful of the words we speak, recognising that in our blessings, we are not just offering kind words but invoking God's very power and presence into the lives of others.