THE PRIESTLY BLESSING
OR THE HAND OF SORCERY ?
More than two decades ago, I was introduced to the Aaronic Priestly Blessing as a staple of the Messianic-Jewish Movement. The blessing is taken from the Book of Numbers 6:22-27. God commanded Moses and the Levites--As Part of the Nazarite Vow-- to bless the Nation of Israel with this blessing. My indoctrination into the "Movement" included this blessing, which at the time, seemed quite plausible to share with the Bride of Messiah. And, in all honesty, there is nothing wrong with speaking a blessing over the people. Here is the flaw that has evolved from a 4,000 year-old blessing imparted exclusively to the Nazarites for the Nation of Israel.
The latest fad blowing through the Body of Messiah is "the Priestly Blessing." As with other fads of the past, e.g. Prayer of Jabez; WWJD (What Would Jesus Do); the Purpose Driven Life; Your Best Life Now, etc., the Priestly Blessing is one more money-making gimmick proffered by many modern day evangelists, TV gurus, and Messianic Masters of the Universe! This formatted Blessing promises a fabulous outcome of prosperity, health, wealth, and longevity. Wow--sounds like the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!
This Priestly Blessing is often imparted under the Birkhat Kohanim -- the hand sign (depicted above) which allegedly signifies the Hebrew letter "Shin" - the Name of God. There is, however, no legitimate Biblical foundation for this hand formation. It was instituted by the Priests of the Kabbalah, the Jewish Book of Mystics--specifically, the Shefa Tal. This is sorcery! (Click to view History of Hand Sign)
Fast Forward to the New Covenant which governs the Bride of Messiah ...
- But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. ~ Matthew 6:7-8
The Priestly Blessing spoken verbatim from the Torah is a repetitious blessing. Similarly, the traditional "Lord's Prayer" (Matthew 6:9-13) is also a repetitious prayer. Yeshua taught this as a template for prayer--not to be said in vain repetition!
The Priestly Blessing likewise is to be used as a template, a model for blessing. The true Priestly Blessing is the one that emits from the Spirit within you. It may follow the pattern, but it will be an original. Under the New Covenant, blessings are written on your heart and in your mind. You are now the Kingdom Priest. You possess the wisdom and inspiration of the Ruach ha Kodesh, to pronounce a unique priestly blessing that is transformative. Let HIM bring forth the perfect blessing for each unique situation. For it is in this, you will see the manifold wisdom, power and true blessing of God.
The Priestly Blessing likewise is to be used as a template, a model for blessing. The true Priestly Blessing is the one that emits from the Spirit within you. It may follow the pattern, but it will be an original. Under the New Covenant, blessings are written on your heart and in your mind. You are now the Kingdom Priest. You possess the wisdom and inspiration of the Ruach ha Kodesh, to pronounce a unique priestly blessing that is transformative. Let HIM bring forth the perfect blessing for each unique situation. For it is in this, you will see the manifold wisdom, power and true blessing of God.
