The Blessing

Most recently, the girls and I had a detailed discussion on what "blessing" meant to us.  It was somewhat amusing to hear their personal responses.  Mostly, an opportunity to voice everything their little heart desired. To have those desires fulfilled meant to be “blessed”.    

Now obviously, they are children and have much to learn but evidently much of our society feels the same way.   We have a very broad personal idea of what a true blessing contains.   

This week, as we intentionally focused on Jacob of the Old Testament, we discovered that Jacob had a major redefining of “blessing” himself.

At first, Jacob risks his life for what he at the time thought was the ultimate blessing.  His father’s blessing would include earthly prosperity and that’s what Jacob sought. Regardless of the fact that it wasn’t rightfully his, he deceives his father into blessing him with the inheritance that belonged to his first-born brother. 

When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said… May God give you heaven’s dew and earth’s richness— an abundance of grain and new wine….(Ge. 27:27 NIV)

His brother becomes furious and threatens to kill Jacob.  Jacob is compelled to flee to another far country. While on his journey, God appears to him in a dream with the promise of blessing him with his presence, favor, and protection.  An entirely different type of blessing. 

What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you. (Ge. 28:15)

It took Jacob some time to realize that God’s blessing of his presence, favor, and protection far exceeds any earthly blessing and possession he can attain.   Jacob does eventually become very prosperous.  He no longer felt welcome amongst those that surrounded him and recognized the need to return to his home country.    

While on his journey back, he gets alone with God and pleas for a blessing contrary to the first, specifically God’s presence, favor, and protection.  

I will not let you go unless you bless me…(Ge 32:26)

Upon his first encounter with his brother, Jacob showers him with many gifts and humbly implies 

Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough …(Ge 33:11)

In other words, please take what rightfully belongs to you.   God has been good to me.  I have everything I need as long as I have his presence, favor, and protection.