Often, the Old Testament Israelite had a mistaken concept of Gods blessings. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? (1) The Jews thought of Gods blessings primarily in terms of the here and now, while Gods Word speaks of the fulfillment of His promised blessings in terms of the future. Then many people will thank God when we deliver your gift. 2 Corinthians 9:11 (CEV), If the place of worship is too far from your home for you to carry there the tithe of the produce that the Lord has blessed you with, then do his: Sell your produce and take the money with you to the one place of worship. Deuteronomy 14:24-25 (TEV), God blesses those who are kind to the poor and helpless. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused,if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctifiedby the Word of God and prayer (I Tim. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:7-18). Blessing may be accomplished by what appears to be Gods cursing. Storing up spiritual treasures in heaven is far more important than physical prosperity. BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT (Romans 4:3-8). He suffered because of his deception concerning Sarah. He struggled with Esau from the womb until the day he left Canaan. It is I who answer and look after you. Blessings have to do with God's Kingdom. "Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways." Psalm 128:1 (NIV) "Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. But for Thy sake we are killed all day long; We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. Peter rebuked our Lord for speaking of His own suffering (see Matthew 16:21-22). In the context of prayer, Paul prayed that he might have the Lord's prospering on his physical journey to visit the saints at Rome (Rom. Full and unhindered blessing can only take place in heaven, when Satan is bound, sin and death defeated, and the things corrupted by sin (including our bodies and this world) made new. Their journey to the promised land held many trials. Suffering is also a blessing because it is a part of Gods process of sanctification. Gods blessings took time to fulfill, and the process of fulfillment involved suffering and adversity. You have entered an incorrect email address! For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it. S The Christian life should be lived out in the light of the superiority of God's promised blessings in comparison to the "blessings" an ungodly world holds out to us (Hebrews 11:24-26). Lets circle back now to Jordans reference to the Beatitudes. When we observe the Lords Supper, we are partaking ofphysical elements, the bread and the cup, which convey aspiritual message (I Cor. 6:8). John 3:16. Obedience, stemming from gratitude, faith, love, and hope, which is empowered by Gods Spirit, brings the temporal blessings of God, while disobedience brings a curse (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28; Psalm 106:3; 112:1; 119:1-2; Proverbs 8:32; Isaiah 44:3; Daniel 12:12; John 13:17; James 1:12; Revelation 14;13). Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou hast taken hold of my right hand. List Of Bible Prophecies Not Yet Fulfilled. Bible prophecy reveals that the descendants of Esau will exist in the end time. And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? All of this made no sense to the Jews. 1:3), God has also blessed us withphysical things. Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. The Abrahamic covenant takes up the promise of blessing: Now the Lord said to Abram, Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your fathers house, to the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. Deuteronomy 8:2-6; 28; 30:15-20 Faith and obedience are both necessary because each calls upon us to act, not on the basis of what we see, but on the basis of what He has said. We shall see what they are, what they are not, and when they will be fulfilled. Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. And he said, Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake (Matthew 5:10). In fact, suffering can be a blessing in the hand of God. (9) Blessing or cursing are not necessarily evident in the means God employs to produce His desired goal. This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. But Peter was wrong for supposing that Gods blessings were incompatible with suffering. It is in Christ, the seed of Abraham, that we are blessed. For He knows the secrets of the heart. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. And if it costs you your life, lay it down. Jesus says very plainly, Any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:33). Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? Put it at the disposal of me and my mission. Thats the kind of radical life were called to live in the New Testament. Matthew 16:21-27 Gods common grace is extended to all men, without distinction. And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! 2 Chron 30:27. What Does the Bible Say About Physical? - OpenBible.info May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Next we will look at our Lords teaching on blessing before turning to the rest of the New Testament to study divine blessing. Abraham had to buy a small parcel of ground for a burial site for his family (Genesis 23:1-20). He makes me lie down in green pastures. All of us deserve to suffer for our sins. I call that the showcasing of the blessing of God on the people of God in the Old Testament. God not only graciously blesses men, He also graciously delays the curse so that men might be saved (see Romans 9:22-24). If we are a child of God, we know His eternal plan allows only those things into our lives which result in our ultimate and eternal good: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. Those who identified with Israel and Israels God would also be blessed, as God told Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3). Joseph, one of the Bibles great heroes and a son of Jacob, suffered a great deal in his early life. They have set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue parades through the earth. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface: "It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. In our identification with Christ, we enter into His rejection and persecution by men, and in so doing are blessed by a closer walk with Him, a deeper fellowship with Him, and a growing hunger for heaven and the full blessings of God (see 2 Corinthians 4 and 5; Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 2-4). By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God (1 Peter 4:14-16). A Prayer for God's Power. Fax: (262) 255-4195
And he said, Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account (Matthew 5:11). But that forgiveness is not always guaranteed, and is usually conditional on our repentance. (7) The majority of the Jews in Jesus day concluded that Jesus could not be the promised Messiah because He failed to meet their expectations and desires. Only with the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ does permanent blessing come into clear focus. What a verse! 4-14. 98 This verse tells us that Abraham was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. Bible Verses about Blessings - Bible Study Tools Divine blessing certainly is not well understood. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. It was not in Abrahams lifetime that the promise of a great nation was fulfilled. Why did your father, Josiah, reign so long? Neither Gods blessings nor His wrath are fully manifested in this life. Last week Art Lindsley referenced Hebrew poetry found in the Bible to give a more complete picture of flourishing. But Thou hast saved us from our adversaries, And Thou hast put to shame those who hate us. This is the profession of Job: And he said, Naked I came from my mothers womb, and naked I shall return there. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. Proverbs 3:13-18 (NIV), The memory of the righteous will be a blessing. Proverbs 10:7 (NIV), He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. Proverbs 21:21 (NIV), Jesus said to his host, When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. In his lifetime, Abraham would not possess the land of Canaan. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Their eye bulges from fatness; The imaginations of their heart run riot. We now desire that which we once found offensive and repulsive. Our blessings are in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. (3) The Jews thought of Gods blessings in terms of material prosperity and His cursings in terms of material adversity and physical affliction. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit. Use these Bible verses to remind you of the many blessing you can claim as a child of God! Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Nearly six hundred years passed from the promise of possessing this land to the time his seed actually acquired the land. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Surely Thou dost set them in slippery places; Thou dost cast them down to destruction. They are not in trouble as other men; Nor are they plagued like mankind. That is why I am commanding you to share your resources freely with the poor and with others in need. Deuteronomy 15:10-11 (NLT), Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in his times of trouble. of It is the blessing which comes from faith in Jesus Christ and not from human effort or achievement. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. PO Box 756
I think the Beatitudes, taken together, provide a beautiful summary of the blessings promised to the followers of Christ: six immeasurable blessings are sandwiched between the summary promise Theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3, 10). A review of Jesus teaching about the kingdom of God and about the blessings of God explains why His teaching was found unacceptable by the Jews. Somehow, in Gods perfect plan and according to Gods promises, Gods blessings would not come apart from suffering. In this glorious anthem, in which the apostle, tracing all to the Divine Fountain, enumerates the glorious privileges of the Church, and blesses God for them, he first (ver. The land of Canaan was not to be possessed until Abrahams offspring had been oppressed and enslaved for four hundred years. The prophets suffered themselves and also spoke of the Messiah to come as the One who would suffer for the sins of men (Isaiah 52:13--53:12). The blessings here are plainly associated with happiness and welfare, both for Abram and others. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your Gods, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. Deuteronomy 15:10 (Msg), Worship the Lord your God and his blessing will be on your food and water. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. We now loathe that which we once loved. What Does It Mean to Be Blessed? | Crossway Articles T 70+ Powerful Bible Verses About Blessings - LayCistercians.com In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. Germantown, WI 53022-0756
If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. (16) One of the blessings God gave Abraham and his seed (which includes us as believers) is that of being a blessing to others. God does not promise to make us wealthy but that our relationship with Him will prosper. Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. God was in no hurry to fulfill His promised blessings. These are the blessings our Lord Himself brings to pass in His second coming. Abraham was one-hundred and sixty years old when Jacob and Esau were born. And is there knowledge with the Most High? Behold, these are the wicked; And always at ease, they have increased in wealth. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. Foolishly, they sought to keep the Israelites subject to them as slaves and to keep them from leaving their land (Exodus 1:8-22). Our Lord Himself took upon Himself the task of serving. At other times, Israels suffering was not due to her unbelief and rebellion. But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. Now, Father, I need You to restore my heart. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV), Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Arouse Thyself, why dost Thou sleep, O Lord? You are to give them the first portion of your ground meal so that a blessing may rest on your household. Ezekiel 44:30 (NIV), Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you. Deuteronomy 16:17 (NIV), Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and on is word he meditates day and night. K God's blessings are meant to protect us, guide us to the path of righteousness, and give us hope. (6) How can a clear understanding of divine blessings help us to better understand Gods eternal plan, especially as it relates to man? (11) Ultimately, blessing or cursing are the result of ones response to Gods provision of forgiveness and righteousness in Jesus Christ, the promised seed of Abraham (see Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-6; John 3:18; 14:6; 1 John 5:12). What is a blessing according to the Bible? - GotQuestions.org Yet our prayers betray us. Your blessings in eternity will not. Philippians 4:19 trust Jesus. Your basket and your kitchen will be blessed. I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are righteous, And that in faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me (Psalm 119:75). Eternal blessings are full and complete, the enjoyment of physical and material prosperity, the full manifestation of Gods goodness and glory, and the absence of sin, Satan, death, and the curse. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Restore unto me the joy of my salvation, Father. The Hebrews were Christians who came out of Judaism by faith in Jesus Christ. Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. I believe this is the dwelling of which our Lord Jesus spoke just before His death: Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. Blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21). But Jesus taught us explicitly not to expect them now. He also promised Abraham that he would become a blessing to all who would bless him. Jeremiah 18:7-10 (8) Divine cursing or condemnation is based upon an individuals decision and works. To belong to Christ is to belong to God as our Father and to be heirs of all that God owns that is, everything. Rise up, be our help, And redeem us for the sake of Thy lovingkindness (Psalm 44:4-26). As Israel trusted in God and obeyed His Law by faith, God poured out the blessings promised in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. God also promised Abraham a great land that his seed would possess. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. And He said, Write, for these words are faithful and true. And He said to me, It is done. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Our faith in God and in His promise will result in the obedience of faith (Genesis 17:9-14; Romans 4:9-24; Hebrews 11:13-31; James 2:14-26). These are the very ones who would be chided today for their lack of faith. Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you, and spurn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. The complete and final fulfillment of Gods promise to Abraham is yet to occur. And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. Temporal blessings are not to be measured so much in terms of material prosperity, physical health, or the absence of pain, as in the enjoyment of Gods presence. Adam was cursed with hard labor, providing for his family by the sweat of his brow. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.". If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" ( Matthew 5:5 ). They knew these blessings would not come in life, but after death and resurrection: All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. Men are not only condemned because they are destined to destruction, but because they deserve it and have decided for it (see Genesis 12:1-3; Deuteronomy 28; John 3:18; Revelation 16:5-6). Publisher: OpenBible.info. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling; My steps had almost slipped. Philippians 3:8-12 This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. Christ is the source of all our blessings; indeed, He is the blessing: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. On the other hand, Jesus said, Blessed are the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3). Their numerical growth concerned the Egyptians and brought about a time of great persecution and affliction. You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on Gods interests, but mans. Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. The full and final blessing of God is not accompanied with sorrow. (5) God is able to bless men because He has borne their curse in Christ, and thus His holiness is maintained in His grace (see Romans 3:24-26). This leads us right into the fourth blessing ( Ephesians 1:7 ), the redemption through His blood. The rich man spent eternity in hell while Lazarus spent eternity enjoying the blessings God promised in Abraham. A secondary goal is to accomplish the good of those who love God: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). By tracing the fulfillment of this promise through the Scriptures we will better understand Gods blessings. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them (Hebrews 11:13-16). M What are spiritual blessings? | GotQuestions.org Abraham had a twenty-five year wait for the blessing of a son. With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me, And afterward receive me to glory. The Lord will command the blessing on you in your barns and in all that you undertake. It is by blessing Him that we enjoy Gods blessings, rather than the curse of sin. (13) Adversity and suffering is not synonymous with sin and cursing. We must live by faith trusting God to fulfill His promises, even when our eyes tell us the opposite is happening now. It is not that one group is more spiritual than the other. For all things are for your sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. G His blessing is the reversal of the curse (see Genesis 12:1-3; Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. While not a pleasant experience in itself, suffering can be the source of comfort and assurance. Eternal blessings are experienced by saints who have been transformed into the image of Christ, whose mortal bodies are left behind and who live in a new world free of sin, of Satan, and of the curse (see 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 21 and 22). Let no one boast in men. Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! The son was just the beginning. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!. So too does history and our own experience. Ephesians 1:3-14 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Whether God in His goodness enables us to succeed, or whether His grace enables us to endure our suffering, let us realize that God is able to make use of suffering to produce blessings. Oh, God, help us to live with faith. (15) Since divine blessing is based upon the sovereign grace of God, we cannot demand it, and we dare not protest when Gods dealings with us do not appear to be a blessing. Gods blessing is not based upon human merit or works, but upon His grace. Therefore pride is their necklace; The garment of violence covers them. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. All of those referred to were people who obtained Gods approval through their faith in Gods promise. Paul says, "The world is yours. While we should not seek suffering in this life, we should expect it, recognizing it as a part of the plan of a loving God who is bringing about our good and His glory. We will be shown mercy: They shall receive mercy (Matthew 5:7). How they are destroyed in a moment! (6) The Jews concluded those who prospered were pious (spiritual, righteous), while those who suffered were sinners. The trials and afflictions of the Israelites did not end with their exodus from Egypt. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. The apostle instructed Timothy, having food and raimentlet us be therewith content (I Tim. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And put them to use so you will be able ,Be prepared. Gods blessing is not only the gift of those things which are good and desirable but the removal of the curse. In Christ, we receive every blessing because He is worthy (see Ephesians 1; Revelation 5:9-14). Jesus said to him, Have you believed because you have seen me? But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall surely perish. For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Perhaps the most puzzling passage in the Old Testament concerning Gods blessings comes from the Book of Proverbs: It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it (Proverbs 10:22). He points them to the true blessings which are in Christ. However there are too many repetition eliminate some of the duplication. He was not only to be the son of Abraham but of Sarah as well (Genesis 17:15-21). The Whole Bible for the Whole Christian - CultureWatch He called those blessed whom the Jews regarded as accursed. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong (1 Peter 3:13-17). On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Then in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete (Genesis 15:13-16). But in the case of these innocent sufferers, their suffering was not attributed to their sin but was the outgrowth of their righteousness. Biblical blessings are often associated with protection and happiness. F Humble yourself as Jesus said: "Blessed are the 'poor in spirit': for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 5:3) Read this and the other eight blessings for you as they were explained by Jesus, in Matthew 5, which are keys to unlocking such personal blessings. The promised blessings of the Bible are the good which God has purposed and promised. Judaisms errors concerning divine blessings can be summed up in these statements. The very food we eat everyday would also be classified aphysical blessing. That means He wants me to be happy. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, God forbid it, Lord! The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. I see the term blessed associated with material possessions or family or health. The same errors which plagued the Israelites and Christians of old are popular in evangelical Christianity today. Undergrace, eating a ham sandwich is acceptable. 5. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 #blessed Its a social media tag for when someone feels blessed and who has, or is getting, everything theyve dreamed of getting.