Speak to Aharon and his sons: Thus shall you bless the people of Israel. Say to them:
May YHVH bless you and protect you!
May YHVH shine his face upon you and be gracious toward you!
May YHVH lift his face up to you and give you peace!
God commanded Moses to tell Israel's High Priest, Aaron, to speak His holy, unutterable name (YHVH) upon Israel as a blessing (Birkat Kohanim). The light of His face is ever turned toward Israel, though she is like a stubborn child. Oh, how we, as parents, woo and challenge our children for their safety and welfare. We watch at arm’s length when they are grown, interceding as prayer warriors or stepping in when they cry for help. Yet, we never forsake them.
Cultural Backdrop #3
As the Israelites prepared to leave the bondage of Egypt—an apt analogy for sin's bondage—continual setbacks plagued their release. Nine plagues were God's response to Pharaoh's fickle and stubborn rule. A tenth would ravage the Egyptian population while passing over the bloodied doorposts and lintels of Israelite households.
Paul reflects on the Exodus scene regarding the hardening of Pharaoh's heart: "But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go" (Exod. 4:21b; 9:12, 16). After many signs and miracles, God allowed Pharaoh to do what was already in his heart. The Hebrew verb translated "harden," hazaq, is a term denoting strength. In other words, God strengthened Pharaoh to carry out his intentions despite the mighty signs. Paul contrasts the irreparable hardening upon Pharaoh in Romans 9:17-18, using the Greek verb, skleryno, with the restorative hardening of porosis granted to Israel in Romans 11:25. Let me explain.
Mark Nanos, in his book Reading Romans within Judaism, a book I highly recommend to Christians, unpacks the hermeneutical difference between Pharaoh's hardening and that of Israel. Accordingly, skleryno is metaphorically used for Pharaoh's contumacy, ultimately leading to suffering and the painful realization of God's sovereignty. Conversely, Paul's use of porosis with Israel refers to the hard formation of a callus necessary for healing a broken bone (Nanos, 153-155). Calcification mends the broken portion by allowing nutrient-rich blood to flow. Ultimately, that which was broken is restored, which is exactly Paul's point in Romans 11.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, knowing that God's countenance shines and His name rests upon Israel. Chag Pesach Sameach (Happy Passover)!
Thank you for this excellent and thought provoking article! May Yeshua continue to bless you; and, to bless others through this labour that filters His Love to those who hunger to grow closer to The Creator, and King!