I am overtaken with blessings. Deuteronomy 28:2 All these blessings will come to you in abundance if you obey the Lord your God (NET Bible). All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the LORD your God (NASB). Ephesians 1:3 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, (NASB) This is an interesting verse, the one in Deuteronomy, because it’s a cause/effect verse. If I do something then I get something. If I obey YHWH then all these blessings will come to me. Being an OT verse, that means that to obey the Lord is to obey Torah. Do we actually obey Torah? Yes, I know about salvation comes from Yeshua alone, but this isn’t about salvation, it’s about shema, to hear and obey. Do I fulfill my part of this verse in order to receive the blessings promised? Skip Moen wrote about this verse a couple of times and it’s interesting to read about being “overtaken” by blessings. Read his articles here.
I am only above and not beneath. Deuteronomy 28:13 The LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you only will be above, and you will not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I charge you today, to observe them carefully, The head leads, and the one above gets the sunlight. The one above is the one who flourishes and grows. The one above casts a shadow but isn’t overshadowed by another. It’s not about pride or being better than someone, but it seems to be about blessing.
I am blessed. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 “Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. “All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the LORD your God: “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. “Blessed shall be the offspring of your body and the produce of your ground and the offspring of your beasts, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock. “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. “The LORD shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways. “The LORD will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God gives you. “The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, as He swore to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways. “So all the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will be afraid of you. “The LORD will make you abound in prosperity, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your beast and in the produce of your ground, in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. “The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. “The LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you only will be above, and you will not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I charge you today, to observe them carefully, and do not turn aside from any of the words which I command you today, to the right or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. Galatians 3:9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. My first question when I read all the blessings of Deuteronomy 28 was, “Are these applicable to me because I am not Jewish?” Galatians seems to have answered that question. Perhaps. It is good to note that blessings aren’t automatic. I must abide by and obey all of God’s commandments, otherwise the blessings become curses (read the rest of Deuteronomy). Anyhow, on the assumption that these things do apply to me, these are some pretty amazing promises! My life doesn’t seem to reflect them much, though. Which, when it comes to God, there are only one or two reasons why that might be – either I’m not keeping His commands (quite likely) and/or they don’t apply to non-Jewish people. However, if I am adopted into God’s family, then I would think that the blessings of His family would also fall to me, so it’s more likely that I’m not doing so hot on the keeping the commandment part. And, even more daunting, much of Israel’s blessings and punishments were corporate. If one sinned, everyone got punished. So it was with blessings and curses. Consider the state of America right now… it’s little wonder that our country is headed straight down the lane towards the curses. Anyhow, I think that it’s important for me to remember the blessings here. God is my Father. And in the same way that I love my children, He loves me (and more so, too). I think He longs to and loves to bless His children. In fact, I think that Yeshua said something like that about fathers not giving their children stones to eat. Somehow I’ve got this idea of God as being harsh and demanding and stingy. I don’t know where that came from. I’d like to change how I think.
Psalm 119:27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works. I really wish I could read Hebrew. Even using the tools at BlueLetterBible.com I always wonder if I’ve missed understanding it because I don’t understand how the words are formed grammatically. Grammar and the addition of prefixes and suffixes can totally change the meaning of a word (just think of the difference between the word cognate and precognition – same root, different prefixes and suffixes). Anyway, the end of this verse caught my attention as I was looking at the Hebrew translation at BLB. The word is pala and it means : 1) to be marvellous, be wonderful, be surpassing, be extraordinary, separate by distinguishing action a) (Niphal) 1) to be beyond one’s power, be difficult to do 2) to be difficult to understand 3) to be wonderful, be extraordinary a) marvellous (participle) b) (Piel) to separate (an offering) c) (Hiphil) 1) to do extraordinary or hard or difficult thing 2) to make wonderful, do wondrously d) (Hithpael) to show oneself wonderful or marvellous I like that definition because it goes so far beyond merely wonderful works. Although, did you notice it doesn’t really say anything about works there? So, was works added to help “clarify” the verse? Or is it implied in the grammatical formation of the word and we miss it. See what I mean: The red is the actual word, but what is the yellow stuff that surrounds it? How does that change the meaning? Without knowing that, I would say that this verse actually says: So shall I meditate on Your extraordinariness/wonderfulness/marvelousness. That puts the emphasis on God, not on His works. It actually makes sense. God is extraordinary and wonderful and marvelous, but it’s easy to get stuck being focused on what He does instead of who He is. I know I get stuck there sometimes, for sure. But that would be like me loving the things John (my husband) does instead of loving him as a person. That means if he does something I don’t like, then I stop loving him. That just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. But we (I) do that all the time. So maybe “my” version is better because instead of just thinking about the nice things God’s done for me, I should be focused more on WHO He is. After all, He IS.
Psalm 21:3-7 For You meet him with the blessings of good things; You set a crown of fine gold on his head. He asked life of You, You gave it to him, Length of days forever and ever. His glory is great through Your salvation, Splendor and majesty You place upon him. For You make him most blessed forever; You make him joyful with gladness in Your presence. For the king trusts in the LORD, And through the lovingkindness of the Most High he will not be shaken. The Mountain This bit of the psalm is structured like a mountain. It rises to its apex and then falls to its conclusion. The most important part is the middle. A-B-C-B-A. That also means that the 1st and 5th lines are parallel, as are the 2nd and 4th. So, here we start: For You meet him with blessings of good things; You set a crown of fine gold on his head. = For the king trusts in the LORD, and through the lovingkindness of the Most High he will not be shaken. Do you see it? Remember two things: the Hebrew word for lovingkindness actually means reliable and faithful, and in the Hebrew worldview a person looks backwards to remember instead of forward in anticipation. So, in the past God has met him with blessings and has made him (in this case) king. Therefore, the king knows he can trust the LORD because He is reliable and faithful. His blessings in the past mirror current blessings and those yet to come. Look back and remember. (Aside: did you know that that’s what Adam’s role was? It was to be the remembering one. But that’s a different story.) Next: He asked life of You, You gave it to him, Length of days forever and ever. = For You make him most blessed forever; You make him joyful with gladness in Your presence. Here we have the theme of eternity echoed in both lines. Life and blessing forever. Also, though, it’s noted that this joy and blessing comes in the presence of God. The apex: His glory is great through Your salvation, Splendor and majesty You place upon him. The highlight of this section is God and the things He gives. The king’s (and our) glory is only because of what God has given him. His ability to rule, his power as king, is placed on Him; It’s not earned or taken. Interestingly, it’s a bit like our view of redemption. It’s not earned, it’s given. David, of course, didn’t know anything about Yeshua or the cross. Both those things came long after he was dead. But, he knew a lot of about the salvation of the Lord in battle – reinforcement when the battle is most dire. He continually remembers and acknowledges that he is only great and glorious because God has made him so. Blessings and Joyfulness One last thing, when I was checking out the Hebrew text of this next verse, I found something really neat. Here’s how it reads in Hebrew: For You make him most blessed forever; You make him joyful with gladness in Your presence. = You put blessings blessings! on him forever; Rejoice, Rejoice! in mirth (exuberant gladness, pleasure) before Your face. I can almost see David jumping up and down and celebrating the greatness of God, and how excited he was overflowing with thankfulness and joy. The repetition of words is for emphasis since Hebrew doesn’t have punctuation. I also prefer the word mirth over gladness because I tend to think of gladness as a rather solemn form of happiness, whereas mirth or pleasure is much more demonstrative and excitable. Anyway, finding the double repetition here made me smile because it emphasized for me David’s possible emotion as he wrote this song.
1. God is such and AMAZING provider! Yesterday He blessed our family with a surprise gift from people we have never even met before (well, one we met a long time ago)! It is yet another reminder that He is faithful, reliable, and TRUE! David says he will proclaim God’s goodness, and that’s what I’m doing! 2. I’m learning a lot…. which means there are a lot of discoveries, and even more questions. I’ve learned a lot about the difference between the Greek and Hebrew mindset. And I probably need to go and listen and read more so that it really sets in. Right now I’m listening to information about the book of Genesis. It’s fascinating and mindboggling and engrossing and challenging and makes me hungry to know more because it’s like cleaning a pair of glasses so I can see more clearly. I’m learning a lot about the Bible, but also a lot about the God who made me. 3. Today I’ve been reading about tithing. I almost hate posting about it because sometimes I get such strong responses from people who are seriously not happy with my opinion. But I’ll put it here anyway, because it’s my blog, and because I can. You don’t have to agree. And honestly, there’s so much to learn and so many views that I haven’t quite made up my mind what to do with all the information I’ve read and listened to. Anyhow, here it is: There seem to be several views on tithing. There is, of course, the traditional view: give 10% (either to the church or to the ministry, depending on your pastor/denomination). Then there’s two other views: a. The Hebrew View #1 (the Old Testament is still alive and valid, based on Jesus adherance as well as Paul’s, Peter’s and the other disciples, with the view that the Messianic sect of Judaism didn’t separate from the Jewish synagogue until Constantine became emperor and standardized Christianity as we know it today): this view says that the tithe originated when God gave Moses the Law. There were 3 tithes – one that was 10% and went to the Levites (and the priests); one that was 10% of the 90% left over after the first tithe that was saved for the annual pilgrimage to wherever God wanted them to worship (traditionally the temple in Jerusalem) and eaten in a huge celebratory feast. Then every 3rd and 6th year there was a tithe given to the poor, widow, and foreigner (those who didn’t have land to farm in order to provide for themselves). There was no tithing in the 7th year because the land was not farmed. Of course, the implications here are multiple: we no longer have a tribe of levites, nor a priesthood that serves at the temple. We no longer have a temple since it was razed by the Romans (I think). So, there is no tithe to be given unless you count the one in the 3rd and 6th year for the poor, widow, and foreigner. Our tithes don’t usually go to that (some do, but a lot of it goes to salaries and building maintenance). So, following the logical trail, the tithe doesn’t apply to us today. Okay, so what about Paul’s exhortation to the various churches (I think it was Galatia or Corinth)? The answer there is that Paul is applying an Old Testament principle of giving, but he’s not commanding it, nor is there any implication that God is commanding it. There’s a request for the church to be generous and give what they promised to give. There are no numbers commanded, just a statement that it should be whatever they decided in their hearts to give. b. The Hebrew View #2 (the Old Testament, or rather the Law, is no longer applicable to Christians today because Jesus’ death and resurrection was the ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling all the requirements of the law and nullifying it by creating a new Covenant based on the forgiveness found in the blood of Christ.): Similar to the Hebrew View #1, there are types of tithes, but all of the tithes were agricultural and meant to be eaten. The tithes were from anything that was grown, and sometimes livestock. The use of money in place of the agriculture was penalized by adding an additional 5% on top of the 10%. The tithe was meant to be consumed in a feast. The people were supposed to invite and include the poor, the widow, and the stranger/foreigner in these feasts. They reminded the people that the things we are given are fleeting and not meant to be hoarded (remember that thing about storing up heavenly treasure?). Anyhow, the implication, again, is that the tithe as is traditional in our churches is not mentioned again in any way (the obligatory 10% of all income). And even if the assumption is draw connecting the Old Testament system of tithes to Paul’s statements to the churches in Corinth or Galatia, if the Old Testament Law is no longer valid, then wouldn’t that invalidate the tithe as well? If it’s argued that the tithe dates back to before the Law was given, then closer look would show that Abraham only tithed one time that is recorded, and Jacob’s promise of tithing was based on an attempt to bribe God into blessing him. There aren’t any other records of anyone tithing (that I know of). Everyone agrees that our giving today should be an expression of our thanksgiving for the blessings that God gives us. It should be given without obligation. It should be of our own determination (not a prescribed amount). It should be given to support the ones who preach God’s word (pastors and the church), the poor, widown, orphans, and those within the church who are in need. And it’s not a tithe. It’s a reminder to us that everything we have belongs to God. It’s a voluntary symbol of His blessing given to others from what I’ve been given. I still don’t know how much or of what, or even if I’m completely off my rocker. I don’t know the answer. And maybe that’s okay. Maybe that’s part of the point. It’s not about me controlling everything. It’s about learning to listen to YHWH and about learning to relate to Him. It’s about being in the center where He is and doing what He wants in order to bring Him recognition and praise. It’s about faith. Here are some interesting articles: http://www.acts17-11.com/dialogs_tithe.html http://www.layhands.com/MustChristiansTitheTenPercent.htm http://skipmoen.com/2009/07/15/tithe/ http://skipmoen.com/2010/04/06/more-on-tithing/ http://skipmoen.com/2010/04/05/the-principle-of-excess/ http://www.eshavbooks.org/08-topical.htm (see All About Tithing mp3)
Psalm 112:1-0 Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands. 2 Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. 3 They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever. 4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. 5 Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. 6 Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. 7 They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. 8 They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. 9 They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. This is one of those Psalms that makes me pause. Clearly the writer was in a good mood the day he wrote this! It must have been a day when good triumphed over evil. Some people would say that these are all promises of God. After all, they’re in the Bible. I’m not so sure. There are a lot of things that it says will or won’t happen to people who are righteous (right doers, as Larry the Cucumber calls them) that certainly aren’t universally true. For example, not everyone who does good is wealthy (at least not in a monetary sense). Good doesn’t always come to people who deal fairly with others. I wish all these things were true, and maybe when it’s all said and done, they will be. For now, this would be a great prayer of blessing for someone. I pray it for me and my family.