The Blessed Prodigal Son
“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.”
Did you hear a tune in your head when you read that? These verses have become the lyrics to many songs and are often recited or sung at churches. The word translated “bless” has a connotation of kneeling or bending. The image that comes to mind is a father squatting down with open arms as their young child runs into them. In the context of these verses though, it’s God reaching for you.
The Lord bless you: Can you imagine that God is waiting for you to run into His arms so He can bless you? If that’s a struggle, consider this: Jesus’ story that we usually title The Prodigal Son is less about the son and more about the father. The son dishonored his father in the worst possible way (actually wishing he was dead to get the inheritance). He ran far from home in a culture where it was expected that you’d settle next door and care for your aging parents. He wasted all the money on “wild living,” willfully rejecting every rule that he'd been raised with. It takes hitting rock bottom, for him to come to his senses and decide to offer himself as his father’s servant. He drags himself home but “while he was still a long way off” his father sees him and runs to embrace him.
In Middle Eastern culture it was a sign of disgrace to hurry. The wealthy and important don’t have to rush, they have people to do that for them. But this father (who from details of the story was likely wealthy and important), casts off all convention. After watching everyday for his son to return, he runs to welcome him. (If you are going to see someone who is “still a long way off” you’d have to be diligently watching the horizon.)
This is the attentiveness of your Heavenly Father. He’s watching and waiting for you.
And keep you: To “keep” someone is to hold them in a protective manner. The inner, most-secure part of the castle is called the Keep. There’s safety in His arms that feels like the welcome home embrace of a Father you don’t deserve.
The Return of the Prodigal Son
by Rembrandt van Rijn
Beautiful detail I was recently made aware of: the father’s hands don’t match. One is feminine and the other masculine. God is the Father of all, male and female, made in His image. While I think of Him as Father, He is equally Mother.
The Lord make His face shine upon you: Did you know that God delights in you? His face shines with joy (and perhaps tears) as you return to Him. Zephaniah was a prophet at a very dark time in Israel. God’s prodigal people were willfully rejecting His ways and they were about to hit rock bottom in exile, far from home. The prophet has many strong words for them, but also gives hope. He tells them that although God will allow them to suffer the consequences of their disobedience, He will also be waiting to welcome them home afterwards.
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
Imagine that! As you close your eyes tonight, think of your Heavenly Father tucking you in with a bedtime song. The verses I started with would be a likely choice. Choose your favorite melody. Here’s a great recent one by Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes. (https://youtu.be/Zp6aygmvzM4)
And be gracious to you: Good gracious! We hardly use this word anymore except as an interjection. In the Bible it means to show kindness and compassion. Grace is undeserved favor, kinda like the ring that the loving father slipped on the finger of the barely-home prodigal. It’s also an essential part of God’s character. Listen to how God described Himself to Moses:
“The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Exodus 34:6
Moses and all of Israel loved this introduction so much that it is quoted several times in other Old Testament books.
The Lord turn His face toward you: Many times in Scripture there is a picture of God watching over or turning His face away. When the former occurs, there is peace and protection. But when He turns away, calamity (Ezekiel 7:22, Psalm 27:9).
The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you be day, nor the moon by night. Psalm 131:5-6
I love this picture of God’s constant attention. Ever have times when you can’t sleep? If you’re a parent you’ve likely been kept awake by the needs of your children. But everyone eventually experiences some sleepless nights, and many work night shifts. No matter the reason, it’s a comfort to know God isn’t sleeping either. His face is turned toward you, watching over you no matter how far you’ve strayed from home. Unlike the father in the story, He isn’t limited by the horizon.
And give you peace: What is the natural result of being held in the arms of your kind, compassionate, faithful Heavenly Father who is blessing you, watching over you, protecting you and providing all you need? PEACE. Peace like a beloved child, wrapped in the love of his father, honored beyond all deserving and rejoiced over with feasting and song.
