The Lord Bless You and Keep You: The Promise of the Gospel in the Aaronic Blessing

by Michael Glodo

Exploring the Gospel through the Aaronic Blessing 

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you,” (Numbers 6:24–25). For centuries, Christians have read these words and received them as a blessing. But have they deeply considered the meaning behind them? What does it mean for God’s face to shine upon his people?

Faces are often referred to as the window to the soul, displaying emotion and providing relational clarity between individuals. This theme of faces reverberates throughout Scripture, first appearing with Adam and Eve and notably surfacing in the Aaronic benediction in Numbers 6. 

The Lord Bless You and Keep You explores this benediction to discover the important connection between a person’s face and the face of God—finding that through faces, God shines the light of the gospel upon his people and offers his grace, goodness, and blessing to those who believe in him. 

Examines a Common Biblical  Explores the context, meaning, and purpose of the Aaronic benediction  Perfect for Laypeople and Church Leaders  Use this book to explore how the Aaronic benediction impacts worship in day-to-day life and within the church   Reflection questions provide an opportunity for discussion in small groups and meditation for individuals  Offers Insight for Corporate  Pastors and church leaders explore how the Aaronic benediction impacts corporate worship 

Genres: Theology, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Christian, Biblical Studies

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 24, 2023

Reviews

[Cindy Rollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book while struggling with several hard things in my own life and it was a glorious reminder of the beauty of the Savior. It was also a reminder that the answers to all of our problems come when we turn our faces away from ourselves towards Christ.

[Amanda E. (aebooksandwords) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Lord Bless You and Keep You” by Michael J. Glodo is subtitled “The Promise of the Gospel in the Aaronic Blessing.” This book draws on the priestly benediction of Numbers 6:24-25 to “find the connection between a person’s face and the face of God,” and how God makes His gospel, goodness, and grace known to believers.

This book covers the Numbers 6 blessing in:

• Its overall context and meaning.
• Its connection to Christ and the new covenant.
• Its relevance for us individually and with respect to others.
• Reflecting on various aspects of public worship services.

Lastly, it was a delightful bonus to find that the book’s appendix features “A Liturgy of God’s Gracious Gaze” as a “suggested order of worship” related to the Aaronic blessing complete with helpful explanations.

I found the book to be informative and inspiring despite being repetitive at times. It opened up the Scriptures that mention God’s face or countenance in a way that they had not affected me before.

Highlights:

“The fullness of the Aaronic blessing realized and revealed in the incarnate glory of God in Christ makes us look at ourselves in the light of the gospel. This gospel light shines in the face of Christ by the power of the Spirit. As we behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ not only is our relationship to God transformed but we are transformed.”

“During his time on earth, Jesus regularly humanized people on the margins so that we would learn to not overlook them. We must look where Jesus looked, and in doing so, we are to recognize they share the imago Dei, however obscured by the ravages of sin.”

“In the incarnation, God didn’t simply feel for us but entered into humanity to demonstrate that he identifies with us.”

Thank you to Crossway for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Jennifer Squire]

I really enjoyed the deep dive into the specific words of the blessing in chapter 2.

Overall, The way in which the Lord “has made his face shine upon us” affects how we see ourselves, how we see others, and how we see our mission to make the face of Jesus Christ shine in the world.

Definitely recommend if you are geeking out in Numbers 😆

[Hobart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---

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.

 “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”

WHAT'S THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU ABOUT?
This book is a reflection on, study of, and application of the Aaronic benediction (above), "possibly the most frequently heard passage of Scripture in Christian worship".

Luther called the Psalms “a little Bible” since each psalm sets out in brief form all that is taught in the rest of Scripture. I am suggesting the same observation is true of the Aaronic blessing. By exploring the blessing’s background, central elements, spiritual meaning in Israel, and realization in Christ, we will grasp the comprehensive nature of the theme of God’s face and be enabled to stand more fully in its light. We will see that God made us with faces so that his could shine on ours and that the Aaronic blessing could be to us not only a “little Bible,” but a “little gospel.”

The book is essentially broken into two sections—the first three chapters examined the context of the Aaronic blessing's introduction, the content of the blessing itself, and then looked at it in the light of the New Testament. The second section is more practical—the consequences of the blessing both for ourselves and the way we treat others, and the pastoral use of the blessing.

A QUESTION OF TIMING
I would've appreciated a version of this book written in 2019. Too often, Glodo, sounded to me like he was trying to re-fight the battle over masks from 2020-2021 with a theological veneer in the latter chapters (and the introduction). A version of those chapters without reference to that would've been more helpful—and less potentially off-putting—and might have prepared the reader to come to their own informed conclusions on that issue if a similar pandemic occurs again.

Maybe I'd have been happier if he took a firm pro-/con- mask position, because the mentions of the practice with just a negative tone (or so I took it), was unsatisfactory. (if only because it was so vague it's hard to interact with)

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU?
I was very excited to hear that someone was giving us an entire book on the Aaronic benediction—and overall, I was pleased with what we got. Personally—I wanted chapters 1-2 to be longer, more detailed and a little more developed, especially 2. I think three could've probably used the same treatment, but I didn't write that in my notes (unlike with the other two). The chapters on the consequences of the blessing were fine. I also anticipated that the book would've featured a lot more of what the chapter on pastoral use and application gave us—and would've liked more of that.

That said, I'm not complaining that Glodo didn't write the book I wanted/expected—but it would've been nice. (I'm not sure we needed the appendix, but, eh—it's an appendix, so...who cares?)

I really do think that this is a good contribution and will be helpful to readers. I do recommend reading this—particularly the first half.

[Patrick S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am just not having a good year (2023) for modern-era theology books. Once again, this book is solid when it comes to the theology. There was nothing heretical or heterodox or anything along those lines. There is some good coverage on atonement and Messianic fulfillment of Old Testament Scriptures.

What caused the nose dive was the organization and the prose. Glodo sets up his premise at the start which is to show the importance of the Aaronic blessing and how it is carried through to ultimate fulfilment of Jesus and His Church. Check. Got it. When I got halfway through the book I found myself lost as to the purpose of the book to the point where I thought I might have skipped over a massive amount of the book that kept tying it back to the purpose. I did not. Glodo seems to want to build off different key points like the importance of God's face or the name being on God's people but he zooms in and out of that point to hit on other parts he wants to teach on. Chapter after chapter go on until I was a quarter left where I wasn't drawn back to the main point of the writing. Again, lots of good and important theology here but he loses the focus or doesn't seem to want to go back to it as his touchpoint. He even, at times, goes back to various words in the blessing but it almost feels like a word study rather than making the point that it's the Aaronic blessing that is that origin source.

I will keep the book for citation into points Glodo covers but this is sadly a mess of prose. Final Grade - D

[Sophie Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5.

The Aaronic blessing is dear to me. Our previous beloved church gave the Aaronic blessing as the benediction each week and, ever since our daughter was born (almost 18 months ago), we have prayed the Aaronic blessing over her at bedtime. So when I saw this book, I was so excited.

As a previous reviewer said, there was nothing heretical about the book, but it did seem disjointed at times and not always “on task.” I was hoping for more breakdown of the words of the blessing and how those were specifically fulfilled in Christ, but found that lacking.

Despite my desire for more of what was promised in the introduction of the book, saying the blessing over our baby girl the last couple nights has taken on a deeper and richer meaning because of seeing afresh how God’s gracious gaze to us in Christ has fulfilled the blessing, which has made me even more earnestly desire that for Susannah Jane, and for that I am grateful.


My favorite quotes:

“God has made us with faces so His could shine on ours.”

“The favorable countenance of God pronounced in Numbers 6:22-27 finds its full expression and realization in Jesus Christ, the glory became flesh, in whose face is the unfading glory of the gospel. Whoever has seen the Son has seen the Father, therefore believing in the Son as the ultimate fulfillment of the benediction is the only avenue to its blessings.”

“When we live to be noticed by others, we void the look that God has already given us. The gaze of God liberated us from being defined by the gaze of others so that we may see ourselves in the light of God’s favor.”

[Taylor Livengood · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounded up for the author's passion and knowledge on the subject.
This book started out wonderfully, but steadily lost me as it progressed.
I was looking for a fleshing out of a passage of Scripture that I really love to use when praying for others. This book turned out to be a heavily researched mass of rambling thoughts and conclusions, loosely tied together using the prose of the Aaronic Blessing.

I had a hard time figuring out why most of the latter portion of the book was included, as it all seemed to meander far from the original point of the book. Which I definitely lost at about three chapters in.
The final chapter somehow found its way to discussing who, what, when, why, and how a benediction should be said over a congregation; something I was definitely NOT looking for nor expecting in this book. (Also something that the author is incredibly opinionated about.)

I struggled to even finish this book, and it definitely didn't turn out to be what I was expecting and hoping for.

[John Dekker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is how biblical theology should be done. This book is about the "Aaronic blessing" of Numbers 6:24-26: "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."

After looking at the references to "faces" in the stories of Cain, Jacob, and Moses, Glodo unpacks the blessing itself, and then looks at how some of the ideas in it are picked up in the New Testament, especially 2 Corinthians 3. He then goes on to application: how we view ourselves, how we view others, and how we worship. I particularly liked his discussion about the importance of benediction in worship: "it takes ministerial guts to look people in the eye, pronounce the benediction, and and believe that God is using that moment to effect a real change in the heart of our people and and in the world outside the church door" (p. 160).

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book about the Aaronic blessing in Numbers 6--maybe even more than I thought I would. The author explains well the background of this blessing and its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He preaches the gospel in this book quite ably, and movingly.

There are several things he could have done better--he could have better emphasized the metaphorical nature of "God's face" (I think he only mentioned once that God does not have an actual face; this should have been mentioned a few times, simply because a lot of people seem to miss this fact! not to mention it better highlights the contrast of the incarnation). He also hurried too fast to the NT; more OT depth would have made the latter consummation richer. Also a few of his applications in the last chapters were a bit far afield (even if innocuous).

Nonetheless, I appreciated the exposition of this blessing and the author's emphasis on its full flowering in the face of Jesus Christ.

[Luke Watts · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a mixed experience, as I had expected a teaching on the Aaronic blessing in itself as in context of Scripture and Christ. It did kind of do this, while also seeking to do many other things in a short title. Much of the content was encouraging in an understanding of blessing others and being blessed by God. The final section felt like a completely different book as it spoke to corporate prayer and orders of a worship service. I literally checked I had not clicked on another book by mistake when this section started. It felt like the author had wanted to communicate these personal hobby horse, and while it is short race, the horse is dead quite soon into the end straight. I grant the author benefit of the doubt, I may have misunderstood the purpose of the title or been too distracted to follow all his thoughts clearly. Mixed start, helpful middle, distracting end.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off strong with some good chapters on biblical theology but the last two chapters were more eclectic and less organized. The Q&A at the end of the chapters were sometimes helpful and at other times not very useful. For example pg. 135 on the Q&A mentions your "tribe's" attitude to loving difficult people taking a somewhat political bent. I would have preferred more content and the Q&A sections removed since they didn't add much.


I appreciate the last section discussing the importance of benedictions in the Lord's day service with an appendix giving some examples of benedictions from Scripture to use in the divine service.

[Michael Vogel · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I know him!”

Really appreciated this work from my former professor at RTS. Glodo traces the theme of seeking God’s face throughout all of Scripture and our need of the blessing of God brining us face to face. The Aaronic blessing (and properly all benedictions) is therefore not an epilogue to our worship, but the ribbon, made of threads woven through our whole service, that brings our time to beautiful close of good news.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful explanation and application of the Aaronic blessing. Moreover, Glodo is easy to read and has some great illustrations to make his points. On the whole, the book (to me) motivated me to worship. To worship with longing to be face to face with God. Also, there is a wonderful christocentirc focus that Glodo brings to bear on this old testament text that, at once, moved me to love God and neighbor.

[Peter Stonecipher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful biblical-theological exploration of the themes present in the Aaronic blessing. I particularly benefited from Chapter 6: The Aaronic Blessing and Worship. This chapter seemed to draw together the various threads developed throughout the book and apply them particularly to corporate worship.

[David Dominguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

First 2 chapters are absolute dynamite and really what make the book worth reading for me. The end of the final chapter focusing on benedictions along with the appendix providing example liturgies were also super helpful. Chapters 3-5 felt like they could have been much more concise. Overall solid book.

[Brandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 The first half of the book was the best. Overall the book was quite repetitive and I think he stretched the application too far.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough treatment of the Aaronic blessing. Many practical applications for the church. However, I found the writing style did not keep my attention.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great study of the Aaronic benediction in its canonical context, its fulfillment in Christ, and the implications of it for life and worship.

[Randy Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book moves through and dissects the Aaronic Blessing in Numbers 6:22-27.
“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
Glodo traces the context of the blessing and all that it means, both in the Old Testament history, New Testament and our day today. I particularly liked his chapter on how the Aaronic should change how we view the faces of others around us. Also, “Our knowledge of the world and more importantly, even our knowledge of ourselves cannot be full without others.” The book is full of deep insights like this, “if God endowed a creature to reflect his image, yet there was no other creature to recognize and revel in the glory of that image, God would receive no honor or glory through the image-bearing creature.” Good stuff all around.