We see many phrases, concepts, themes, lessons, requirements and restrictions repeated throughout the Bible. God uses this repetition to:
- Share the value of something
- Stress the importance of something
- Show the diversity in application of something
- Secure the unchanging truth of something
In the sixth chapter of Numbers, God taught the priests how to bless the children of Israel.
- Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’
In the book of Psalms, God repeats the theme of the blessings associated with His face shining on us:
- Psalm 31:16 Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies’ sake.
- Psalm 67:1 God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us,
- Psalm 80:3 Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!
- See also Psalm 80:7, 80:19 and 119:135
God shows his care and concern for us when He looks upon us
- Exodus 4:31 So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.
- Luke 1:25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
His Word tells how Jesus’ face shines with the glory of God:
- Matthew 17:1-2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
- 2 Corinthians 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
- Revelation 21:23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.
We want Him watching over us:
- 2 Chronicles 6:42 “O Lord God, do not turn away the face of Your Anointed; Remember the mercies of Your servant David.”
- 1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
When God turns away, He is condemning sin:
- Deuteronomy 31:18 And I will surely hide My face in that day because of all the evil which they have done, in that they have turned to other gods.
- Psalm 13:1 How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?
Sometimes hard lessons from the Lord make it feel as if He has turned away:
- Job 13:24 Why do You hide Your face, And regard me as Your enemy?
- Psalm 13:1 How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?
God’s use of repetition in His love letter to us is supremely effective at teaching His truths. I am blessed beyond measure to think about His face shining on me. For now I walk by faith, not by sight. But one day, I will be in His presence to see and experience the glory of the Lord as He looks upon me.
Experience the radiance of His righteousness shining down on you as you diligently seek His blessings.
- Psalm 105:4 Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!
- Proverbs 16:15 In the light of the king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.
Prayer
Holy Father, may the light of Your face shine upon those who love You, those who seek You, and those who don’t yet know You! Thank You for Your Word and the elegant way You teach us through repetition. I pray for everyone that doesn’t know You; that You would draw them to Jesus for salvation. May the light of Your face shine brightly in this dark world. May the truth of Your love and forgiveness draw all people to You. I pray these things in the name above all names, Jesus. Amen.
