In the last newsletter we ended with an exhortation to bind the strong man in our homes and culture. This is a privilege and a responsibility. As parents, we also have the unique opportunity to bless our children and each other. 

Let’s begin by examining some of what the Bible has to say about this subject. In the first 39 books of the Bible, the Hebrew word for bless is BARAK (בָּרַךְ) which is used 330 times. In Genesis, which records the beginnings of God’s chosen people, BARAK appears 73 times (by my count). 

God said to Abraham, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1-3) This astounding promise of blessing is still reverberating in the world today. “In Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14) 

This blessing was passed on to Isaac, then to Jacob (Israel) and to the twelve tribes. Thousands of years later we are reminded of these transactions in the book of Hebrews, “By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.” (Hebrews 11:20-21)

Any one who has read Genesis knows that the blessing passed on from father to son was a sacred event and vital to the recipient. As we read of Isaac blessing Jacob, then Jacob blessing the sons of Joseph, we also are introduced to the laying on of hands. When Jacob was blessing the sons of Joseph we read, “Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn).” (Genesis 48:13-14)

One of the twelve tribes was set apart to minister to God and the people. “Jehovah set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of Jehovah to stand before Jehovah to minister to Him and to bless in His name.” (Deuteronomy 10:8) God through Moses, gave the Levitical priests a special blessing. “Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, “Jehovah bless you and keep you; Jehovah make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; Jehovah lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. So shall they put My Name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”’” (Numbers 6:22-27)

I attended a fellowship for many years where this blessing was pronounced at the end of each Lord’s Supper. I love this blessing and the power that is inherent in each word. I also would like to use this anointed passage as a segue to the New Testament. In the last 27 books of the Bible the word for blessing in Greek is EULOGY, from the root (εὐλογέω). As a verb, adjective, and noun, it appears 67 times. 

Paul uses eulogy, or blessing, when speaking of Holy Communion in 1 Corinthians 10:16, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ?”

During the Triumphal entry, “the crowds that went before Him and that followed Him were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’” (Matthew 21:9, referencing Psalm 118:26) Jesus later taught His followers that we will not see Him return until we say, “Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.” (Matthew 23:39)

One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Luke 24 when Jesus appears to Chloe and his friend on the road to Emmaus. They did not recognize Jesus until they went inside and prepared to eat. “When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him.” (Luke 24:30-31). Perhaps the act of breaking bread and blessing it was the trigger that illuminated their Savior as they had observed Him doing this before?
At His ascension, “He (Jesus) led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. While He blessed them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.” (Luke 24:50-52)

Blessing Our Families

With this background, we can see the power and efficacy of words spoken as a blessing over others. As parents we have been divinely authorized to build up our children and each other. Paul says, “The authority the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.” (2 Corinthians 13:10)

Sadly I did not know until many years into our marriage and having children, that I had the power to build up and bless like no other. I also had the power to tear down and wound like no other. It is a terrible and wonderful calling to be a parent and spouse. James, in speaking of the tongue says, “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:9-10) Proverbs echoes this thought, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21) and "A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4)

I hope we will begin afresh to use our words to build up and bless each other in the Lord. Since our words flow out of the abundance of our heart, I hope we will do this with a servant heart, like Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve. Paul expands on this attitude even further, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:3-5)

Hands on

I have a friend who laid his hands of the head of each of his children and blessed them as he put them to bed each night. What a wonderful legacy. My wife used to receive blessings from her godly grandfather with his hands on her head. She still recalls these sacred experiences to this day. We have sought to bless our sons and daughters with birthday cards, blessing and building them up with words from our heart. 

Many of the books in the New Testament end with a blessing. I used to look at these as platitudes or Christian niceties. Now I see them differently, for blessings mean something. These anointed words are beneficial and powerful. Here are a few for your edification. These may also be used to bless each other.

“May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. And may the Lord of peace Himself be with you and give you peace at all times and in every way. (2 Thessalonians 3:5, 16)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 1:3)

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us, that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations.” (Psalm 67:1-2)

I pray for my family almost every day. As I do I often ask God to not only deliver them from evil and give them their daily sustenance, but I also ask God to bless them and more than once have used the words from Numbers 6:24-27, “Jehovah bless you and keep you; Jehovah make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; Jehovah lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. So shall they put My Name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”’”

Apples of Gold

While I have suggested specific and formal times of blessing, we have opportunities around us every day to use words that build up and bless. It may simply be things that we say as we we sit in our house, lie down, rise up and walk by the way. Jesus used teaching moments in a variety of settings and His words were a source of life and encouragement. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11)

To the Parent Who Has Never Received the Gift of Being Blessed

I know many of us grew up in an environment when words were demeaning and degrading. I am sorry. However we can break that cycle and be source of encouragement. There is a wonderful promised that I have often prayed, “Isaiah 50:4 The Sovereign LORD has given me His words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning He wakens me and opens my understanding to His will.” Let’s look to God for words of wisdom and life and then ask His Spirit to show us opportunities to build up and bless those who we love and care for.

As we give to others, we ourselves will be refreshed. “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25) This principle is consistent with the words of Jesus, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)

May “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Halfway through a Glorious Fall,

Steve