Tokonaki ‘Epeleli 29, 2023
פנים When God Smiles
FOFONGA OLA ‘O E ‘OTUA
NUMBERS 6:24-27
"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. SO SHALL THEY PUT MY NAME UPON THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, AND I WILL BLESS THEM."
NOMIPA 6:24-27
24 ke tāpuaki‘i mai koe ‘e Sihova, mo ne tauhi‘i! 25 Ke fakaulo mai ‘e Sihova hono fofonga kiate koe, mo ne ‘alo ‘ofa! 26 Ke hāngaifofonga mai ‘a Sihova kiate koe, mo ne ‘atu ‘a e melino! 27 Koe‘uhi ke nau ‘ai hoku hingoa ki ha‘a ‘Isileli, ka u tāpuaki kinautolu ‘e au.
Faces pop up frequently in conversation: a face-off, a slap in the face, a poker face. Twice in the priestly blessing, God's panim ("face") does something; it shines and is lifted up. This shining face is not the same as our "glowing face" in English. When God's face illumines, he is gracious and saves (Ps. 31:16). He enlightens our darkness. Likewise, when he "lifts up his panim" he looks with favor. A smile spreads across his face, filling us with peace. God's shining and smiling face, along with the threefold repetition of his name on us, is how he blesses us.
When Jesus was transfigured before his disciples, his face shone like the sun (Matt. 17:2), "for God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6). In the face of Jesus, we see the Father's smile of grace and favor, for in him we are blessed by the Spirit.
"Restore us, O God of
hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!" (Ps. 80:7).
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