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“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5: 3-10 (NIV)
INTRODUCTION
Blessings are an integral part of every believer or man in general. A blessing is considered to be God’s favor and protection. When we know God we become blessed - baruch. The expression Baruch originates in the Old Sumerian and means someone in authority who kneels to the level of a child or subordinate to speak to them. It is spelled by 3 Hebrew letters: Beth, Resh, and Hei. The idea of a blessing in a spiritual sense is to share God’s heart with someone else and bless them with God’s presence.
It is the ones who recognize the need for God who are blessed.
BLESSINGS - AN INTEGRAL PART OF SUCCESS
Two sons Rebekah carried. And even in the womb, they were contending against each other. A fact that never changed. The younger battled over the older for his birthright and managed to steal his double portion blessing through dubious means.
So important was the blessing that Esau cried from the depths of his soul to receive it too. But as it would seem there was only one blessing to be given. The one given to Jacob.
Blessings are essential to every person's life, especially any believer's life. Some believe without them life is never bound to go well. Others claim we are cursed in the areas of our lives where a blessing has not been spoken until we receive it.
I believe there still is a way. God’s blessing after all is more powerful than any cursing. But it is an arduous and uncommon path to tread upon.
TO BE BLESSED - BARUCH
Let’s be honest; who doesn’t want to be blessed? We all wish to be blessed with everything we desire. With everything we need. With assignments and relationships, marriages, and even kids.
Baruch is a Hebrew word meaning blessed. It originates in the Old Sumerian and means a parent or guardian, or someone in authority who kneels down to the level of a child or subordinate to speak to them. In doing so they are bestowing happiness upon them. (2)
It is spelled by 3 Hebrew letters: Beth, Resh, and Kap. Beth indicates the heart of God. Resh represents the power of God, and the Kap represents a filling of one’s heart. (2)
The idea of a blessing in a spiritual sense is to share God’s heart with someone else. We are playing matchmaker by speaking God’s heart to another person.
WHAT DOES TO BLESS EVEN MEAN?
Per Jewish thinkers to bless someone means to increase them in a certain way. Many of Jewish prayers begin with blessing God. (3)
By blessing God, we give Him honor for His grace towards us. As a result, His presence increases in us. The Priestly Blessing is the highest form of benediction a person can receive. By speaking it over others, we bestow on them the honor of experiencing God’s presence, care, and favor. (3)
BLESSED ARE THE POOR AND MEEK …
We serve an upside-down Kingdom. It is not always as it may seem at first glance. Many people with a lot of material things are poor spiritually and vice-versa. Not always of course. There are quite a few rich people worldwide who know Yah very intimately and have a great relationship with Him. The same can be said of any sphere of influence.
Yeshua showed us who is blessed in Matthew 5: 3-10 (NIV).
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Who are the poor in spirit Yeshua speaks of? Who are the people who mourn he describes? How about the meek? Those who show mercy? Those who are thirsting for righteousness or those who are considered peacemakers?
The Hebrew word for poor is ani. It speaks of those who are helpless and in need of charity like widows and orphans. (4)
As for the poor in spirit? They are the ones who recognize their sinfulness and mourn over it. They are the ones who recognize their need for a Savior. They are the ones who recognize that without God they are incapable of good. (4)
They are the ones who recognize how much they have been forgiven and can forgive others as they have been forgiven. They are the ones who have recognized that all have fallen short of God’s glory, including them, and in so choose to be peacemakers and intercessors for others. Sometimes even for those who oppress them.
Yes, they are those who recognize that it is Yeshua’s righteousness that saves them and not their own. Yet also do not try to use that righteousness as a cloak to continue remaining in sin.
CONCLUSION
Blessings are an important part of Yeshua’s Kingdom. We are called to bless and not to curse. And we all desire to be blessed, ain’t that true?
The Hebrew word for blessed, Baruch, is spelled by three Hebrew letters: Beth, Resh, and Kap. The idea of a blessing in a spiritual sense is to share God’s heart with someone else and bless them with God’s presence. After all, blessed are the poor, who recognize the need for God and His righteousness.
Application
I pray Yah gives us wisdom to lean on Him more and more. Especially now when certain prophecies are being set into motion. Let His righteousness and grace empower us so we overcome. Also bless Yah, when you notice you are drifting away from His strength and beginning to strive to achieve.
Amen!
SOURCES
Image created via canva.com.
Chaim and Laura Bentorah. Word Study: A Blessing ברכ. April 27, 2017. Available at https://www.chaimbentorah.com/2017/04/word-study-a-blessing-%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%9B/
Estera Wieja. Blessed in Hebrew: The Meaning Behind the Word Baruch. Fellowship of Israel related Ministries. April 30, 2020. Available at https://firmisrael.org/learn/the-hebrew-meaning-of-blessed/
Lois Tverberg. The Poor in Spirit. July 9, 2015. Available at https://engediresourcecenter.com/2015/07/09/the-poor-in-spirit/
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