A benediction is a good word or blessing spoken over someone. In church services, the benediction is when the minister gives a blessing to the whole congregation at the end of the worship time. Benedictions come from the Bible and use words and promises that God has given His people. The purpose is to send people out with God’s blessing resting on them.
Benedictions are very important in Christian worship. They remind us that our whole lives are covered by God’s grace and favor. No matter what may happen during the week ahead, we can face it knowing God’s blessing is with us. The benediction declares this truth over us as we leave the church service. It is like a sending out with God’s seal of approval and protection over His people.
List Of Benedictions In The Bible
Here is a table containing all the benedictions in the Bible:
| Benediction | Scripture |
|---|---|
| May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. | Genesis 31:49 |
| 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. | Numbers 6:24-26 |
| Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders. | Deuteronomy 33:12 |
| The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. | Deuteronomy 33:27 |
| Blessed are you, who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? | Deuteronomy 33:29 |
| May all who love you, Lord, be like the sun when it rises in its strength. | Judges 5:31 |
| The Lord be with you The Lord bless you | Ruth 2:4 |
| May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord. | Ruth 2:12 |
| Go in peace, and may God grant you what you have asked of him. | 1 Samuel 1:17 |
| The Lord bless you | 1 Samuel 15:13 |
| Go, and the Lord be with you. | 1 Samuel 17:37 |
| Long life to you Good health to you and your household And good health to all that is yours | 1 Samuel 25:6 |
| The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. | 2 Corinthians 13:14 |
| Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. | 1 Thessalonians 5:23 |
| May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. | 2 Peter 1:2-3 |
| Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. | Jude 24-25 |
| May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. | Romans 15:5-6 |
| The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. | Psalm 121:7-8 |
These benedictions can be used in various contexts, such as worship services, personal devotions, or as a way to offer encouragement to others.
The Aaronic Blessing
The Aaronic Blessing is one of the most well-known blessings in the Bible. It is found in the Book of Numbers, specifically in Numbers 6:24-26. This blessing was given by God to Moses, who then instructed Aaron and his sons to use it to bless the people of Israel. Aaron was the brother of Moses and the first high priest of the Israelites.
The blessing goes like this:
- “The Lord bless you and keep you;
- The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
- The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
This blessing was meant to be a way for the priests to call upon God’s protection, favor, and peace for the people.
Text of the Aaronic Blessing
The text of the Aaronic Blessing is simple yet powerful. It is composed of three parts, each asking for a different aspect of God’s favor:
- Blessing and Keeping: “The Lord bless you and keep you.” This part asks for God’s protection and care.
- Shining Face and Grace: “The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.” This part asks for God’s favor and kindness.
- Turned Face and Peace: “The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” This part asks for God’s attention and peace.
Each line of the blessing builds upon the previous one, creating a comprehensive request for God’s favor in all areas of life.
Significance and Usage in Services
The significance of the Aaronic Blessing lies in its comprehensive nature. It covers protection, favor, grace, and peace, which are all essential aspects of a blessed life. This blessing is often used at the end of worship services to send the congregation out with God’s favor.
In many churches, the Aaronic Blessing is spoken by the pastor or priest as a way to conclude the service. It serves as a reminder that God’s presence goes with the people as they leave the church and go about their daily lives. This practice helps to reinforce the idea that worship is not confined to the church building but continues in everyday life.
Key Points of the Aaronic Blessing
- Protection: Asking God to keep and protect the people.
- Favor: Requesting God’s face to shine upon them, symbolizing His favor.
- Grace: Seeking God’s graciousness and kindness.
- Peace: Desiring God’s peace to be with them.
The Aaronic Blessing is a powerful reminder of God’s comprehensive care for His people. It encapsulates the heart of God towards His followers, offering them protection, favor, grace, and peace.
Benedictions from the Old Testament
The Old Testament is full of benedictions, which are blessings given by priests or leaders to the people. These blessings are meant to ask for God’s favor and protection. Here are some important examples:
The Aaronic Blessing
One of the most famous benedictions is the Aaronic Blessing. This blessing is found in Numbers 6:24-26 and is given by God to Moses to be used by Aaron and his sons. It goes like this:
- “The Lord bless you and keep you;
- The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
- The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
This blessing asks for God’s protection, favor, grace, and peace for the people.
Benedictions in Psalms
The Book of Psalms contains many benedictions. These are often prayers asking for God’s blessings and protection. Here are a few examples:
- Psalm 20:1-5: “May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May He send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May He remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests.”
- Psalm 121:7-8: “The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
These psalms ask for God’s help, protection, and blessings in all aspects of life.
Context and Meaning of Each Benediction
The Aaronic Blessing
The Aaronic Blessing is very special because it was directly given by God to be used by the priests. Each part of the blessing has a deep meaning:
- “The Lord bless you and keep you”: This asks for God’s protection and care.
- “The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you”: This asks for God’s favor and kindness.
- “The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace”: This asks for God’s attention and peace.
This blessing is often used at the end of church services to send people out with God’s favor.
Benedictions in Psalms
The benedictions in Psalms are often used in prayers and worship. They ask for God’s help and blessings in different situations:
- Psalm 20:1-5: This psalm asks for God’s help in times of trouble and for success in all plans and desires.
- Psalm 121:7-8: This psalm asks for God’s protection in all aspects of life, both now and forever.
These benedictions remind us that we can always ask for God’s help and blessings in our lives.
Key Points of Old Testament Benedictions
- Protection: Asking for God’s protection and care.
- Favor: Requesting God’s favor and kindness.
- Grace: Seeking God’s graciousness.
- Peace: Desiring God’s peace in all aspects of life.
The Old Testament benedictions are powerful reminders of God’s care and blessings for His people. They cover all areas of life, asking for protection, favor, grace, and peace. These blessings are still used today in prayers and worship to remind us of God’s presence and care.
Benedictions from the New Testament
The New Testament is filled with benedictions, which are blessings or well-wishes expressed by writers and leaders of the early Christian church. These benedictions often appear at the end of letters or passages, serving as a way to impart God’s blessings upon the recipients.
Examples of New Testament Benedictions
Here are some notable examples of benedictions found in the New Testament:
The Apostle Paul’s Benedictions
The Apostle Paul frequently included benedictions in his letters to various Christian communities. These benedictions conveyed his wishes for God’s grace, peace, and love to be upon the recipients. For instance:
- 2 Corinthians 13:14: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
In this benediction, Paul invokes the blessings of the Triune God – the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit – upon the believers in Corinth.
Benedictions in the Book of Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews contains profound benedictions that emphasize God’s covenant and blessings upon His people. One example is:
- Hebrews 13:20-21: “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
This benediction highlights the work of God in bringing Jesus back from the dead and asks for God’s empowerment to do His will through the blood of the everlasting covenant.
Context and Meaning of New Testament Benedictions
The New Testament benedictions carry significant meaning and purpose within the context of the early Christian church. They serve as:
- Expressions of Blessing: These benedictions convey the writers’ desires for God’s favor, grace, peace, and love to be bestowed upon the recipients.
- Reminders of God’s Promises: Many benedictions remind believers of God’s promises, such as His covenant, His faithfulness, and His power to sanctify and equip them for good works.
- Invocations of the Triune God: Benedictions often invoke the blessings of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, emphasizing the Trinitarian nature of God and His involvement in the lives of believers.
- Encouragement and Comfort: In the face of challenges and persecutions faced by the early church, benedictions offered encouragement, comfort, and the assurance of God’s presence and protection.
- Calls to Unity and Perseverance: Some benedictions exhort believers to live in harmony, persevere in their faith, and remain steadfast in their commitment to Christ.
Conclusion
Benedictions in the Bible are more than just closing words; they are powerful declarations of God’s blessings, protection, grace, and peace over His people. These blessings, whether from the Old Testament or the New Testament, serve as reminders of God’s unwavering love and faithfulness. They encapsulate the heart of God’s promises, offering believers encouragement, hope, and assurance as they go about their daily lives. By invoking God’s favor, these benedictions help believers to face life’s challenges with confidence, knowing that they are under the care and guidance of a loving and powerful God.
Incorporating benedictions into modern worship and daily life can have a profound impact. They remind us that God’s presence is not confined to a church building but extends into every aspect of our lives. As we speak or hear these blessings, we are reminded of God’s grace and mercy, His protection and peace, and His call to live lives that reflect His love. Whether used at the end of a worship service or as a personal prayer, benedictions are a beautiful way to carry God’s blessings with us, reinforcing our faith and trust in Him.