Series: Blessed Be
Psalm 112:2 ESV
John 1:1 ESV
Hebrews 4:12-23 ESV
Luke 15:11-32 (Story)
Luke 15:19-24 ESV
Romans 3:23-24 MSG
The man who reveres the Lord and the commandments of the Lord (Psalm 112:1) will be blessed AND his descendants will reap a great reward.
Subsequent generations of the blessed who seek Yahweh and the commandments will also be blessed!
Psalm 112:2 tells us, “His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.”
We need to bear in mind the absolute promise Psalm 112:2 meant and means still today.
But first let’s back up because that might beg the question about the commandment described in Psalm 112:1. Is it a rule or instruction? Is it a Word?
To answer that we need to consider where we read about the ‘Word’ and how we describe where we can find the commandment in written form?
First, we remember what was written about the ‘Word’ in John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Second, we need to define and establish the word as it is described in Hebrews 4:12-13, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
The Word in the ancient Greek is the Logos (the Logos is the term for the Word). Jesus was and is living and active and can discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
We also know the Bible is an accurate account and description of events. The Old Testament tells the story of the people of God. The New Testament tells the story of the life of Jesus and the early church. So, the Gospels describe the Word Jesus, (the Logos using Greek terminology.)
The book of Acts tells the history of what occurred after Jesus was crucified. The subsequent books that follow the Acts of the Apostles, tell the story of the early church from the book of Romans to the book of Jude. The Revelation (the last part of the New Testament Canon) is the account of seven churches describing God’s plan for creation.
What can be confusing is that today we can (and have) described the written communication from God as the Word. I was taught in Sunday School that the Word of God is the Bible.
Scholars and theologians can (and have) described the account of the history of the people of God in the Bible as the ‘Word of God’. However, other scholars and theologians dispute the use of that term. So, which is it?
We have to remember that language is fluid. It can change from generation to generation and culture to culture.
So, I accept that Jesus is ‘the Word’ and the Word of God is the written account of the people of God and the Son of God, Jesus.
Why on earth does that matter? Well, is can be helpful if we establish what that means for us today.
We are told in the Word (the written account) a commandment, a solid word of promise from God that a man is blessed when he/she reveres God and delights in the words of God (the commandment).
In Psalm 112:2 we are told the word God gave to the writer of the psalm tells us the offspring will be mighty.
Presumably can we assume that means the offspring will follow the words they were taught as a child? Some say yes, some say maybe, and some say not necessarily (or it depends).
The generation and generations will be blessed.
It might be muddying the water but I have to ask, does that always follow? As I see it, yes and but.
Think of it this way in Luke 15:11-32 a man had two sons. The younger son wanted his part of the estate immediately and so the father gave him his portion.
The son left home and moved far away and spent everything he had. Then, a famine came and he had to get a job feeding pigs. One day he realized the pigs were fed but he was starving so he came to his senses and decided if he went back home he could work for his father and he would at least be able to eat. (While I’m sure that would have been a difficult decision he decided that was better than starving to death).
So, the son traveled back home to ask his father for a job. In Luke 15:19 he decided to go back home to confess his sin. Then we are told in Luke 15:20-24, “So he got up and went to his father.“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”
There’s more to the story about how the other brother responded, but the point is that even though the younger son left home he did eventually see the error of his ways and return home.
That is always part of God’s plan.
Regardless of his error, he was forgiven and he did receive blessing upon blessing.
As scripture tells us in Romans 3:23-24, “Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.”
He WAS doubly grateful that his father opened His arms when he returned home. I personally believe that is the way of God. Literally, when we err and we return, God’s arms are open wide.
Spiritual Practice: Thank God
Thank God for the blessing, and if needed the extra blessing when we return home.
In God, Deborah
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