The Silver Scrolls: God’s Guide For Families

In the heart of Jerusalem, an archaeological discovery made in 1979 unearthed a treasure trove of ancient artifacts. Among them were two silver scrolls, dating back an astonishing 2,800 years - even older than the famous Dead Sea Scrolls. These tiny rolls of silver, when carefully unraveled, revealed something extraordinary: the oldest known biblical text, a blessing that has been whispered through generations.

This blessing, found in Numbers 6:22-26, offers a profound guide for families:

"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."

At first glance, these words might seem like a simple prayer. But as we delve deeper into their meaning, we uncover a wealth of wisdom for nurturing our relationships, especially within our families.

The blessing unfolds in three beautiful stanzas, each offering a unique perspective on love and care:

1. The Womb-Like Love: "The Lord bless you and keep you."

In Hebrew, the word for "bless" (barak) is closely related to kneeling. It paints a picture of God kneeling before us, much like a camel kneels to drink from a life-giving source. This blessing isn't about making things holy; it's about acknowledging God as the source of all good things.

For families, this invites us to practice "blessing" in our daily lives. It's about making the mundane sacred, turning our attention to God in everyday moments. When a child faces a problem, do we instinctively say, "Let's pray about that together"? Can we celebrate the shade of a tree as a gift from God? By doing so, we teach our children to see God's presence in all aspects of life.

The idea of "keeping" speaks to protection - guarding not just from external dangers, but also emotional perils. It's a womb-like compassion that nurtures growth while providing a safe haven.

2. The Birth Love: "The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you."

Picture a parent's face lighting up at the sight of their newborn. That's the image conveyed here - God's face shining upon us with pure delight, not because of anything we've done, but simply because we exist.

This stanza beautifully balances order and grace. In Hebrew thought, light is associated with order, while darkness represents chaos. God brings structure and boundaries to our lives, but couples it with grace when we inevitably fall short.

For parents, this means teaching our children the way they should go while delighting in who they are today - not just in their potential. It's about being "full of grace and truth," as Jesus was described. This can be challenging, especially as children grow and make choices we might not agree with. But it's crucial to maintain that balance of guidance and unconditional love.

3. The Reconciling Love: "The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace."

The final stanza addresses perhaps the hardest kind of love - the love that reconciles after disappointment or hurt. It's a horizontal love between equals, rather than the top-down love of the first two stanzas.

Why would God's countenance need lifting? Because love makes one vulnerable. The Song of Solomon uses a powerful word - "ravished" - which literally means to strip bark from a tree, leaving it exposed. When we truly love, we open ourselves to potential hurt.

This kind of love requires humility and a willingness to reconcile even when disappointed. It might mean a parent apologizing to a child for reacting poorly, or spouses choosing to forgive and reconnect after a disagreement.

The peace (shalom) mentioned here isn't just absence of conflict, but a wholeness that comes when relationship cracks are filled in through reconciliation.

Living Out This Blessing

As we reflect on this ancient blessing, we're challenged to embody its principles in our families and beyond:

1. Practice God-consciousness: Make a habit of acknowledging God's presence in everyday moments. Let your children see you turning to prayer and gratitude regularly.

2. Balance Truth and Grace: Provide structure and guidance for your family, but couple it with abundant grace. Delight in who your loved ones are, not just in what they achieve.

3. Be Vulnerable in Love: Don't be afraid to open your heart, even though it risks pain. Model forgiveness and reconciliation for your children.

4. Extend the Blessing: Remember that as believers, we are part of a "royal priesthood." This blessing isn't just for biological families, but for our entire community of faith.

The Apostle John reminds us, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35). When we truly live out this blessing - showing compassion, extending grace, and choosing reconciliation - our families and communities become beacons of light in a dark world.

Imagine a church, a neighborhood, a world filled with people embodying the love described in 1 Corinthians 13 - patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not easily angered, always protecting, always trusting, always hoping, always persevering. That's the power of this ancient blessing when lived out in our daily lives.

As we go forward, let's challenge ourselves to make this blessing a reality. In our homes, workplaces, and communities, may we be people who bless and keep, who shine grace on others, and who lift our faces to one another in reconciliation and peace. For in doing so, we not only strengthen our families but also reflect the very heart of God to a world in desperate need of His love.

Here are the scripture references mentioned or alluded to in the sermon, along with some relevant verses that align with the main themes discussed:

Explicitly Mentioned:
1. Numbers 6:22-26 (The Priestly Blessing)
2. 1 Peter 2:9
3. Genesis 25:11
4. John 13:35

Alluded to:
1. Proverbs 22:6 ("Train up a child in the way he should go")
2. Song of Solomon 4:9 (Ravished heart reference)
3. 1 Corinthians 13 (Love is patient, love is kind, etc.)