The Blessing
Bless, Blessing – the act of declaring favor and goodness upon others. The
blessing is not only the good effect of words; it also has the power to bring them
to pass. The patriarchs pronounced benefits upon their children, often near
their own deaths (Genesis 49:1-27). Even if spoken by mistake, once a blessing
was given, it could not be taken back (Genesis 27:33). Even Balaam when he
was asked to curse Israel for king Balak, could not curse Israel because God had
blessed them. Leaders often blessed people, these include Moses (Numbers 6:
23-27, Deuteronomy 33), Joshua (Joshua 22:6-7), Jesus (Luke 24:50).
One can also bless God, showing gratitude to Him (Deuteronomy 8:10). In songs
of praise (Psalms 103:1-2).
God also blesses people by giving life, riches, fruitfulness, or plenty (Genesis 1:
22,28). His greatest blessings are turning us from evil (Acts 3:25-26) and
forgiving our sins (Romans 4:7-8).
Christians are called to bless – to ask for the person’s benefit (Matthews 5:44).
Jesus tells us how to be blessed in the beautitudes. In the Greek language
beautitiudes means blessings. The word translated “blessed” means “having
spiritual well-being and prosperity.” The deep joy of the soul (Luke 6:20-22).
The blessed have a share in salvation, and have entered the kingdom of God,
experiencing a foretaste of heaven. The beautitudes – the eight declarations of
blessedness made by Jesus at the beginning of the sermon on the Mount, each
beginning with “blessed are” (Matthews 5:3-12). The beautitudes describe the
ideal disciple, and his rewards, both present and future. The person whom
Jesus describe in this passage has a different quality of character and lifestyle
than those still “outside the kingdom”.
As a literary form the beautitude is also found often in the Old Testament,
especially in the Psalms (Psalms 1:1-3, 34:8, 128:1). Jesus told Thomas,
“Thomas you have seen Me, you have believed: blessed are they that have not
seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). James says “Blessed is the man that
endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which
the Lord has promised to them that love Him” (James 1:12).
Even during the tribulations some are blessed. Revelation 14:13 says “ and I
heard a voice from heaven saying to me; write: Blessed are the dead which die
in the Lord from hereafter: Yea, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their
labors and their works do follow them.”
We have been made priest and kings in our house and we must bless our
children as the Israelites did, and still do (Numbers 6:23-27).
The Bible gives us many blessings, however, some are conditional
(Deuteronomy 28:1-14, II Chronicles 7:14). Isaiah 1:19-20 says “if you be willing
and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land. But if you refuse and rebel,
you shall be devoured with the sword, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.”
Malachi 3:10-12 shows a mighty blessing for the ones who tithe, in fact this is the
only place where God says prove Me. Peter gives us much hope in I Peter 1:1-
10.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: March 31, 2006