I've shared the recent loss of my son with you before in the comments. It's been six weeks now and I'm struggling. But I have seen the hand of God in this. In the study that came in the literal days before his passing, in His [immad] nearness. If I'm honest, I don't feel gratitude when I open my eyes each morning. My prayers at night are that He wouldn't return my soul to me in the morning. But when I open my eyes to the realization that He indeed has restored my soul, I begin each morning with a prayer He will carry me through the day He has made for me. Your post reminded me of the Jewish Blessing I first learned of back in March of last year, 'Who is the True Judge'. The blessing said whenever we encounter bad things, like the tragic unexpected death of your 26-year-old son. I'm not a writer, but I do sporadically write my thoughts and the insights the Spirit gives out on Blogger from time to time. I remember writing about that blessing, so I went back to my blogger account to reread my post. It was a good reminder of a season whenever the Lord spoke to me often and at great length. Words I would need to re-read and remember in this season, of deep grief and the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions that flood my mind in rapid succession. Right now, there are two things I can give gratitude for in all sincerity: 1-- God's provision in providing salvation and our assurance we therefore have of reunion and eternity in His joy-filled presence. 2-- Second Chronicles 16:9 -- His eyes, His Strength, His Presence [Im & Immad (Ps 23:4)]
Thank you for sharing. My heart goes out to you. Six weeks is such a short time, and I'm grateful you've found comfort in the reminder of God's nearness. Praying for you as you walk through this season of grief.
I’m so glad I stumbled across this and your work. Really, I thought I was okay at expressing gratitude and blessings, but man, 100 times a day…I might be checking my phone more if im being honest! That was convicting.
I loved learning about the distinction you described. Blessings aren’t really about what we define as a positive outcome. They are about positioning ourselves constantly, to the One who is good, and that in return is a blessing for us too.
Hi Diane I was wondering this same thing while reading and your analogy of the Father squatting down to face their child makes so much sense to me, I love that! Thank you for that visual.
“He led them out toward Beit-Anyah; then, raising his hands, he said a b’rakhah over them; and as he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.”
Luke (Luk) 24:50-51 CJB
I don’t know how accurate this is but I picture Jesus raising His arms to His Father and saying the blessing from Numbers 6… as He was “carried up into heaven.” But it would fit in the true meaning of that blessing and that Jesus poured out His Spirit to Peter and the rest and commissioned them to be His witnesses
“‘Y’varekh’kha Adonai v’yishmerekha.Adonai [May AdonaiAdonai bless you and keep you.] Ya’er Adonai panav eleikha vichunekka.Adonai [May AdonaiAdonai make his face shine on you and show you his favor.] Yissa Adonai panav eleikha v’yasem l’kha shalom.Adonai [May AdonaiAdonai lift up his face toward you and give you peace.]’”
That is why I love to CJB. I don't use it much in my writing because it has so much Hebrew and I would have to translate every time LOL
The challenge is that Luke never tells us what blessing Yeshua spoke, so we're all making educated guesses. The Aaronic blessing definitely fits the moment, but because it was specifically given to Aaron and his descendants, I'd only be making a devotional guess there.
It's a remarkable scene when you stop and picture it. The last thing the disciples see before He is taken from their sight is not a miracle, a teaching, or a warning. It's Yeshua blessing them.
Our pastor is preaching through Matthew and just started Sermon on the Mount. Can you relate Greek makarios to barak. As I understand it Psalm 1 has different Hebrew word for Blessed is the man. Thanks
Oh I LOVE this question. Yes, makarios is actually much closer to the Hebrew ashrei than to barukh/barakh. Psalm 1 begins, "Ashrei ha'ish" ("Blessed/Fortunate is the man"), and the Septuagint translates ashrei with makarios. So when Yeshua says, "Blessed are..." in the Beatitudes, He's sounding more like the wisdom tradition of Psalm 1, describing the condition of God's people, than pronouncing a blessing in the sense of barakh. There is also a prayer in the Siddur called the Ashrei and is from Psalm 145. It is one of my favorite prayers because it has a beautiful melody. But that too is translated to makarios.
Thank you for expanding and grounding my understanding of blessing, especially of the Aaronic Blessing. When a guest missionary or speaker departs Advancing Native Missions where I now volunteer after serving on staff for 15 years, we gather around the guest and sing the Blessing to a simple melody. I have no idea where it came from. It is not one of the choral versions used in churches. Possibly from our former Israel Regional Director, himself a Messianic Jew who came to faith in Yeshua as an adult. I'm grateful to him for introducing our group to Messianic believers and ministries in Israel in 2019. Thank you again.
I've shared the recent loss of my son with you before in the comments. It's been six weeks now and I'm struggling. But I have seen the hand of God in this. In the study that came in the literal days before his passing, in His [immad] nearness. If I'm honest, I don't feel gratitude when I open my eyes each morning. My prayers at night are that He wouldn't return my soul to me in the morning. But when I open my eyes to the realization that He indeed has restored my soul, I begin each morning with a prayer He will carry me through the day He has made for me. Your post reminded me of the Jewish Blessing I first learned of back in March of last year, 'Who is the True Judge'. The blessing said whenever we encounter bad things, like the tragic unexpected death of your 26-year-old son. I'm not a writer, but I do sporadically write my thoughts and the insights the Spirit gives out on Blogger from time to time. I remember writing about that blessing, so I went back to my blogger account to reread my post. It was a good reminder of a season whenever the Lord spoke to me often and at great length. Words I would need to re-read and remember in this season, of deep grief and the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions that flood my mind in rapid succession. Right now, there are two things I can give gratitude for in all sincerity: 1-- God's provision in providing salvation and our assurance we therefore have of reunion and eternity in His joy-filled presence. 2-- Second Chronicles 16:9 -- His eyes, His Strength, His Presence [Im & Immad (Ps 23:4)]
Thank you for sharing. My heart goes out to you. Six weeks is such a short time, and I'm grateful you've found comfort in the reminder of God's nearness. Praying for you as you walk through this season of grief.
I’m so glad I stumbled across this and your work. Really, I thought I was okay at expressing gratitude and blessings, but man, 100 times a day…I might be checking my phone more if im being honest! That was convicting.
I loved learning about the distinction you described. Blessings aren’t really about what we define as a positive outcome. They are about positioning ourselves constantly, to the One who is good, and that in return is a blessing for us too.
Thank you for educating me so much!
Thank you and amen!! You captured it beautifully!
I love your writing…makes my spirit hunger and thirst for righteouness
Thank you so much! That is the best compliment!!
So, looking at it from a different viewpoint, would you say that God's blessing is Him kneeling to become intimately involved in our lives?
You could say that... kind of like a father would squat down to look his child in their eyes.
Hi Diane I was wondering this same thing while reading and your analogy of the Father squatting down to face their child makes so much sense to me, I love that! Thank you for that visual.
I am so happy it helped!!
As I was reading Luke 24 came to my mind.
“He led them out toward Beit-Anyah; then, raising his hands, he said a b’rakhah over them; and as he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.”
Luke (Luk) 24:50-51 CJB
I don’t know how accurate this is but I picture Jesus raising His arms to His Father and saying the blessing from Numbers 6… as He was “carried up into heaven.” But it would fit in the true meaning of that blessing and that Jesus poured out His Spirit to Peter and the rest and commissioned them to be His witnesses
“‘Y’varekh’kha Adonai v’yishmerekha.Adonai [May AdonaiAdonai bless you and keep you.] Ya’er Adonai panav eleikha vichunekka.Adonai [May AdonaiAdonai make his face shine on you and show you his favor.] Yissa Adonai panav eleikha v’yasem l’kha shalom.Adonai [May AdonaiAdonai lift up his face toward you and give you peace.]’”
B'midbar (Num) 6:24-26 CJB
So good thank you for sharing
That is why I love to CJB. I don't use it much in my writing because it has so much Hebrew and I would have to translate every time LOL
The challenge is that Luke never tells us what blessing Yeshua spoke, so we're all making educated guesses. The Aaronic blessing definitely fits the moment, but because it was specifically given to Aaron and his descendants, I'd only be making a devotional guess there.
It's a remarkable scene when you stop and picture it. The last thing the disciples see before He is taken from their sight is not a miracle, a teaching, or a warning. It's Yeshua blessing them.
Our pastor is preaching through Matthew and just started Sermon on the Mount. Can you relate Greek makarios to barak. As I understand it Psalm 1 has different Hebrew word for Blessed is the man. Thanks
Oh I LOVE this question. Yes, makarios is actually much closer to the Hebrew ashrei than to barukh/barakh. Psalm 1 begins, "Ashrei ha'ish" ("Blessed/Fortunate is the man"), and the Septuagint translates ashrei with makarios. So when Yeshua says, "Blessed are..." in the Beatitudes, He's sounding more like the wisdom tradition of Psalm 1, describing the condition of God's people, than pronouncing a blessing in the sense of barakh. There is also a prayer in the Siddur called the Ashrei and is from Psalm 145. It is one of my favorite prayers because it has a beautiful melody. But that too is translated to makarios.
Wonderful article. The word “covenant” has been raised numerous times this past week. It is a primary concern of Adonai.
Thank you Lin!
Thank you for this truth. So good!
I am glad you liked it Kathy!
Beautiful- thank you! We had the most gorgeous sunset last night and I couldn’t help but thank our great Creator!
Oh that is awesome!!
"Deuteronomy reminds us to remember Him when we’re full."
Now, I'm certain you meant that to be every bit as theologically loaded as I'm reading it, but wow, that's deep.
And convicting.
It applies to so much more than just physical sustenance.
Thank you for opening my eyes to this.
Thank you Kevin! I am glad it resonated with you!
Thank you for expanding and grounding my understanding of blessing, especially of the Aaronic Blessing. When a guest missionary or speaker departs Advancing Native Missions where I now volunteer after serving on staff for 15 years, we gather around the guest and sing the Blessing to a simple melody. I have no idea where it came from. It is not one of the choral versions used in churches. Possibly from our former Israel Regional Director, himself a Messianic Jew who came to faith in Yeshua as an adult. I'm grateful to him for introducing our group to Messianic believers and ministries in Israel in 2019. Thank you again.
Oh I wonder if it is a traditional blessing. Do you know how it goes?
Sung almost as a chant in a melody that evokes Israel, it is the KJV version of the text, word for word.
Diane this is truly inspiring. I never thought of the word blessing in the ways you have written here. Thank you.
I am glad you enjoyed it!!
I enjoyed this article so much. I learned so many things about blessing that I hadn't been aware of. Thanks for your ministry.
Thank you Carla! I am glad it was helpful!!
So beautiful. Thank you
Thank you Erin!