“The Lord spoke to Moses: “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is the way you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “The Lord bless you and protect 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 they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.””
— Numbers 6:22-27
Leviticus 9:22 has situation where this blessing would be spoken (after sacrifices, especially atonement). All NET notes in this passage are very helpful. Verb tenses and moods are important. Jussive is more than wish or desire, but priest is saying what God will in fact do, and it’s probably based on the fact that the sacrifices have been made.
Two main actions are blessing and protecting. The other words are images of what that looks like. Lifting up a face is opposite of looking down (anger). Shining face is pleasure and beaming father in light of His children.
Paul probably carried over some of this into his letters (grace and peace). Easy to see how Jesus fulfilled sacrifices and offers grace and peace. Working through own thoughts on Gods wrath/anger vs pleasure in people. Atonement is a difficult doctrine and multiple theories. But the point here is that God loves His people and wants to bless them. He is good and gracious. He offers peace.
Ethnic Israel is not the church. But God is still the same character. Do these words apply to us directly? Debatable maybe. But they inform us of Him and Jesus brings favor, peace, and blessing.
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