Here we have the blessing that GOD _delights_ to give to those who have dedicated themselves and their all to Him. Before considering it in detail, let us notice, first, how spontaneous and unsought is this blessing from GOD--the LORD _commanded_ Aaron and his sons to bless Israel, to put His Name upon them; and declared His own unalterable purpose, "I _will_ bless them." And then, let us ask ourselves the question, what is THE REAL MEANING OF BLESSING? We frequently use the word so vaguely as to lose much of its preciousness, and to overlook the primary meaning in some of its secondary significations. For instance, we use it frequently as a synonym of praise, and in speaking of blessing GOD, we think of praising Him. But blessing does not merely mean praise, for GOD blesses us. Again, sometimes we use it for some gracious gift, as when we speak of the blessing of peace or of plenty. But blessing does not only signify gift, for when we bless GOD we do not give to Him peace or plenty. Blessing is _the moving of the heart towards an object of affection and complacency_. The out-going of the heart is naturally _accompanied_ by gift or ascription, as the case may be. When our hearts bless the LORD, we sing a song of praise to Him for the great love wherewith He hath loved us; but the blessing is not the song--it is the feeling that prompts it. When the LORD blesses His people with peace and plenty, it is His open Heart that moves His loving Hand. Again, blessing is always accompanied with joy; it _is_ a joy, and it _gives_ joy, both to the giver and the receiver. A little child playing with his toys may be both happy and satisfied. But it hears the mother's footsteps, it sees the mother open the door, and instantly the toys are dropped and forgotten; the little arms are stretched out, and the little feet are running to meet the welcome mother. Nor is this all; the great, motherly arms are as quickly stretched forth towards the child, and with longer steps the mother hastens to meet the little one, and clasps it to her bosom, the loving little arms entwining themselves around her neck. But whose heart is the more glad? The little one's heart is _full_; and the mother's heart is also _full_; but her capacity is greater, and so her joy is deeper. And is not this true of our HEAVENLY FATHER? When His heart blesses ours, and ours blesses HIM, _we_ are full of joy; but His heart is infinitely greater than ours, and His joy in His people as far exceeds all their joy in Him, as the infinite exceeds the finite. Let us always remember in connection with blessing that the deep heart-feeling is the primary thought. "Bless the LORD, O my _soul_; and all that is _within me_, bless His holy Name." The praise of the lip may be insincere; the blessing of the heart cannot be. THE THREE-FOLD BENEDICTION: verses 24-26. _"The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:_ _"The LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:_