Part 33 – The Blessing of Abraham and You – Genesis 46 – 47
April 22, 2018Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Speaker: Jerry Cisar
The word blessed, or #blessed, in the words of NY Times columnist Jessica Bennett, “has become so overused that it has been “all but stripped of its meaning.” It implies that God has bestowed the recipient with favor, yet it is used to describe everything from winning a football game (or simply catching a pass) to finding half-priced strawberries at Trader Joe’s.
Be that as it may, the meaning of this word almost pleads for its own recovery because it is one of the most significant words in the Bible and misunderstanding it will prevent one from understanding, not only the message of the Bible, but the very call and purpose of God for humanity. It is no trite word.
The significance of God’s blessing is immediately evident because in the moment God created humanity we immediately read: “God blessed them and said to them…” (Gen. 1:28). It has something to do with who we are in the very core of our being and existence. It has something to do with our male and femaleness. It is the very opposite of the curse that causes pain and thorns instead of increase and fruitfulness.
Paul tells the Galatians that the very purpose of Jesus hanging on a tree has to do with you and I participating in this blessing (Gal. 3:13-14). What is this blessing? What does it mean for us? That we will score a touchdown or catch a pass? That we will get voted prom queen or king? That we will drive a new Lexus? Or is there something more? Something of greater significance?
Join us as we explore the answer to these questions in Genesis 46–47 during our time of worship.