In the Book of Deuteronomy Chapter 28:1-15, the Lord outlines His blessings to His people if they harken to His voice and follow His statutes and commandments. Deuteronomy 28:1-2 “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.”
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus issues a series of well-known blessings, and what is striking about them is the absence of prosperity-related ideas: “theirs is the kingdom of heaven;” “They will be comforted;” “They will inherit the earth;” “they will be filled;” “they will receive mercy;” “they will see God;” “they will be called children of God;” “theirs is the kingdom of heaven;” – culminating in “for your reward is great in heaven.” The perspective is clear. The tenses are almost entirely future. This future focus perspective is even more pronounced in Luke 6:24 “Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.” Earthly prosperity is no longer a mark of God’s blessing.
Jesus is letting us know that when we walk in righteousness and have an orientation of justice, equity, and fairness towards people who are experiencing a plight, there will be a blessing. The blessing promised in the Old Testament also holds good and is available to us. For those in Christ, there is a greater blessing available.
Paul says in Ephesians 1:3-4, “Praise be to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.” Paul distinguishes between spiritual blessings and material blessings. But don’t let material blessings be the only perspective you hold that says that’s the blessing. No, it’s more encompassing than that. God doesn’t limit His blessings to material things alone.
Blessing is connected to the knowledge that God is at work to direct us on the right path. God’s chastisement is a display of His love for us, like a parent who disciplines a disobedient child. Psalm 1:1-3 carries that theme further when it states, “Jesus is letting us know that when we are walking in righteousness and have an orientation of justice, equity, and fairness towards people who are experiencing a plight, there will be a blessing.” The book of Psalms is full of references to this kind of happy blessing to those who love and fear the Lord God.
The ultimate blessing that God has given is the new life and forgiveness that comes through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. The material blessings we enjoy from day to day are temporary, but the spiritual blessings available to us in Christ encompass time and eternity, as well as material and immaterial things. As the Psalmist said, Psalms 146:5 “Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God”
Dr Ashwin Drummond
Laddertoheaven.co.in