A Study on God’s Principle of Enriching The Lives of Those Who Obey Him and Troubling Those Who Want Nothing To Do With Following His Ways

Before Israel 8 The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 “Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

Deuteronomy 28 – Israel’s National Blessings and Curses As Moses is transitioning as leader of Israel, he prepares them for entering the promised land. Moses delivers this famous “Blessings and Curses” sermon with wonderful application even for us.

Deuteronomy The sermon is prefaced with a pivotal ceremony that takes place on two mountain peaks, Mt Gerizim and Mt Ebal which serves to cement the importance of chapter 28.

MT. Gerizim (R) MT. Ebal (L) Shechem in the middle

The biggest decision one could ever make… 19 “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.” Deuteronomy 30

Psalm How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways. 2 When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you. 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine Within your house, Your children like olive plants Around your table.

4 Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the Lord. 5 The Lord bless you from Zion, And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. 6 Indeed, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!

The New Testament on Blessings

Who Gets Blessings In The NT?  Poor in spirit  Mourn  Gentle  Hunger and thirst after righteousness  Merciful  Pure in heart  Peace makers  Persecuted for the kingdom Matthew 5 The Sermon on the Mount

How does the OT requirements for being blessed differ from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount? Good question! The OT charge in Deuteronomy stresses external obedience. On the other hand, Jesus in the Gospels mandates a right heart in conjunction with correct behavior. This is seen from what our Lord says after the beatitudes in Matthew 5. You can’t fake the eight beatitudes by just doing religious stuff.

Ephesians 1.3  We are blessed for our spiritual salvational blessings 3 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, Ephesians 1

I Peter 3.14  We are blessed when persecuted for our faith 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, I Peter 3

Revelation 1.3  We are blessed for reading and heeding Scripture 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. Revelation 1

In general terms… To be blessed by God means that God’s approves of your walk with Him. He has provided fifty eternal blessings pertaining to your salvation. As to one’s life experience, one has overall satisfaction and happiness. He or she appears grateful, purposed, satisfied, living in light of eternal truths, experiencing intimacy with God and others, and growing in one’s faith.

Question 1 Are these blessings supernatural or simply natural? Answer: Both, sometimes the Father enters human history and does that which brings blessings. The Lord may arrange a particular spouse, job, friends, etc. At other times the blessings are purely natural as in working hard produces a paycheck, being honest results in a good reputation, and eating right and exercising makes for good health.

Question 2 Does living a life pleasing to God guarantee His blessings and a pain free existence? Answer: No! The following impacts a blessed life:  Trials and tribulations  Persecution  False expectations  Giftedness  You may be a godly person living in a nation at war with God  Certain type of diseases runs in families

Question 3 What about those Christians who love God and live a godly life who seem like God’s blessings are far from them? Answer: In some cases, a person’s blessings are more eternal than earthly.

Question 4 What is the biggest variable in understanding the blessings of God? Answer: That is easy, understanding that God has not revealed his plan to us.