This is one of the many cliche's that sounds poetic when it is recited during church services or on church television programs. However, when one considers where in the scripture this statement comes from it begins to sound a little less Shakespearean.
How do we get blessings from the God of the Bible?
In a word: Obedience!
God's blessing are "upon the head of the just" (Proverbs 10:6-7)
Even Paul equates blessings with Obedience.
"Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen" (Romans 16:25-27).
Those having faith are moved to obedience because they are confident of the blessings that obedience brings. They know that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:1-6).
Sometimes God's blessings come after making thru hard times and remaining obedient. Joseph was hated by his brothers and sold into slavery by them. Eventually he was sold to Potiphar, the chief of Pharaoh's bodyguard (Genesis 37:36). Because of his Obedience everything Joseph did, met with success (Genesis 39:1-6). Because of Potiphar's wife Joseph was thrown into prison. In time Pharaoh had a dream and when none of the Kings advisors could interpret the dream Joseph was sent for Joseph explained both dreams one of plenty and one of famine. Joseph even suggested how to survive the famine (Genesis 41:1-36).
Pharaoh realized that God's blessings were upon Joseph, Pharaoh promoted him from prisoner to Governor of all the kingdom; second only to Pharaoh himself (Genesis 41:37-44).
Job also received God's blessings through hard times. Job was a blameless and upright man (Job 1:1-11). After Satan destroyed ALL of Job's material possessions, livestock, servants, and finally Children (Job 1:13-19), Job never turned away from God, even when he was pressured to do so by his wife and friends. He continued speaking the truth about God (Job 42:8). He accepted correction for being anxious to declare himself righteous and forgetting to vindicate God (Job 32:2). He also acknowledged his sins before God (Job 42:1-6). At the end Job was restored to his former status. His life was blessed more towards the end then it was in the beginning. His associates and relatives brought him gifts (Job 42:7-15). Finally when Job's obedience went up the blessings came down insomuch that Job lived to see his grandchildren to 4 Generations (Job 42:16).
Through Ezekiel, God testifies to Job's righteousness (Ezekiel 14:13-14,19-20).
The Apostle James also testifies (James 5:10-11).
FOOD 4 THOUGHT (you do the dishes): The blessings of God makes one rich, and He adds no sorrows with it.
(Proverbs 10:22)
The Conclusion of the Matter:: When obedience goes up; blessings come down. And that's the only way!
May the Lord add a blessing to the consideration of His Word... In Jesus name
LOCKSMIF...LLAVES (keys)
Extra Scriptures of Reference
Exodus 23:20-26
Posts
Thank you for explaining this so plain. This was a great help to me.
ReplyDeleteMattie Coleman
Good breakdown. I've been saying virtually the same thing to the different churches that I've been at for the last few years. Once my website is complete, I'll link your study to it.
ReplyDeleteElder Yves Johnson
Thank you for your comment, and Praise the Most High in the name of Jesus for your understanding.
DeleteRead Ps 67
ReplyDelete"5.Let the People Praise thee, O God; Let all the people praise thee.
ReplyDelete6.THEN shall the earth yield her increase; AND God, even our own God, shall bless us..."
(Ps.67:5,6)
1st allow me to apologize for my slow response, and thank you very sincerely for your comment. I have taken the liberty of 'copy&paste' the entire 67th Psalm because your case sounds plausible (even though you shouldn't base your understanding around 1 scripture), but if you read the other verses they line up with the lesson that I put forth (albeit 5 years ago) above.
DeleteThe psalm starts off asking for mercy, when we need mercy, it is because we are found in error and do not want the most severe punishment. If you stop and ask the question why are they asking for mercy and blessing; the question is answered in verse 2. So the earth may know His ways which is His saving health…
In verse 3 it also says: “3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.”
Even into verse 4 the nations are glad and singing with joy, why? Because God will ‘Judge the people righteously’ and “GOVERN the nations upon the Earth.” Selah.
So it is AFTER all these things that verse 6 shall come to pass. The verses that you quoted are not just loose statements. This is a prophecy of what will happen when Jesus returns to JudgeandMakeWar (Revelation 19:9-21) and then He will actually “Govern” as King of Kings in Jerusalem. (Rev. 20:4-6/Isaiah 65:13-25/Isaiah 9:7)
67 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
ReplyDelete2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
thank you for this information, continuing to leave this posted, but most of all actually reading the Bible... Love your blog.
ReplyDelete