Blessed, Blessing
Blessed is a word we see used often by both Christians and non-Christians. It almost seems like a trendy thing to say. When you’re feeling good and have no worries, you say, “I’m blessed.” And if you got something physical like a new car, you say, “I was blessed with this” or, “Having this is such a blessing.”
But from a biblical standpoint, what does it really mean to be blessed? Scripture offers a much deeper meaning than what we physically obtain. Let’s look at two takeaways we can apply to our actions and our thoughts.
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Scripture: Gen 1:28, Gen. 12:2
The first time we see “blessed” used in Scripture is Genesis 1:22. The same word is used later in Genesis 1:28. We’ll focus on the latter verse, since this Scripture includes God’s first words to mankind.
Gen. 1:28
Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Hebrew: Barak (baw-rak) - To kneel, bless
Whenever we see the word “bless” or “blessed” used in this early Scripture depicting creation, this is the word used.
As we see here, to be blessed revealed not something tangibly received, but it was a position. There’s a stooping or kneeling that takes place when someone is blessed. The king is bestowing upon his servant. That in itself is humbling. Who are we that God would first give us what we should be giving Him. We should be kneeling, praising, saluting—blessing. Yet when we first see this word it’s the other way around.
It’s God declaring, “I’m going to stoop to your level to lift you up. You’re blessed.”
When you say, “I’m blessed,” you’re saying, “I am adored by God. I am lifted higher by Him. He came to a low place for me.”
Psalm 18:35 talks about God stooping down to make us great. That’s what it means to be blessed. It has nothing to do with our happiness, prosperity, jobs or cars. It is a mindset, a position, rather than something that can always be tangibly seen.
You’re blessed when you’re rich, when you’re poor, when you’re joyful. You’re blessed when you’re mourning, blessed when it feels good, and blessed when it’s uncomfortable.
It’s unfair to only think of our blessings when it feels good. Ultimately, being “blessed” does lead to good in our lives. But our view of blessings from God must extend beyond what He physically provides.
When God blessed mankind, He did something He didn’t have to do. Yet, God desired His creation of mankind be lifted higher to then go on to “be fruitful, multiply, subdue, replenish, have dominion.”
Another thing to note is that God blessed, then He gave a command.
v. 28
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
God didn’t just say, “Go do these things.” He blessed first. He lifted up first.
From barak, we also get the Hebrew word berakah, which is used in Genesis 12:2 as God speaks to Abram (Abraham).
Gen. 12:2 -
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
Hebrew: Berakah (ber-aw-kaw) - Blessing, gift, present
This is when we see the physical aspect of blessing. But God doesn’t say, “And you will have blessings.” He says, “And you will be a blessing.”
When God first introduces us to the word blessed, it’s not about the good stuff we receive from Him. It’s about God introducing one of the most prominent Kingdom principles completely opposite of what the world would have us think—and that is the king going to a low place to bring His servant up to a high place.
Then, when it comes to “blessing,” He’s saying not that you would receive gifts, but that you would be a gift.
Go deeper:
Using the Three Minute Study Guide, look at these Scriptures to uncover more about the words “blessed” and “blessing.”
Luke 24:50-53
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
James 3:9-12
