The pledge that "all peoples on earth shall be blessed" ( Gen 12:3 ) is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ ( Ga 3:8-14 ). God's promise to Abraham again serves as a foundation for blessings. In the New Testament, however, the emphasis is more on spiritual rather than on material blessings. To be blessed is to be granted special favor by God with resulting joy and prosperity. The New Testament The parallels between the Old and New Testament usages of blessing are striking. These occurrences of "bless" are usually translated "praise" or "extol" in modern versions. The terminology arises as a response to the blessings bestowed by God: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits" ( Psalm 103:2 KJV ). It is also possible for a person to "bless" God.
On the other hand, those who are disobedient are cursed ( Deu 28:15-68 ) and suffer the consequences of drought, disease, and deprivation. Those who are obedient to God's commands are blessed with affluence and victory ( Deu 28:1-14 ). In a less ceremonial sense, the Scriptures declare a general blessing on the righteous. Third, the blessing is actually an invocation for God's blessing: "May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful" ( Gen 28:3 ). Second, the blessing is a sign of special favor that is intended to result in prosperity and success ( Deu 28:3-7 ). First, the greater blesses the lesser, a fact picked up by the writer of Hebrews to demonstrate the superiority of Melchizedek to Abraham ( Heb 7:6-7 ). Three common themes are present in formal Old Testament blessings. The tribe of Levi was set apart "to pronounce blessings in his name" ( Deut 10:8 21:5 ). Those who possessed a priestly role were bestowed with the privilege of blessing ( Gen 14:19 Lev 9:22 ). In the government context, the ruler blessed his subjects ( 2 Sam 6:18 1 Kings 8:14 1 Kings 8:55 ). Within the family the father blessed his wife and children ( Gen 27:27-29 49:25-26 1 Sam 2:20 ). The institutions of society the family, government, and religion were the means by which ceremonial blessings were received. The record of Israel's past is best understood as an outworking of blessing and cursing ( Deut 27:1-28:68 ). The curse, which had dominated the early chapters of the biblical story ( Genesis 3:14 Genesis 3:17 4:11 5:29 9:25 ), was countered by God's promise to Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" ( Gen 12:3 ). The history of Israel begins with the promise of blessing. The major terms are related to the word meaning "to kneel, " since in earlier times one would kneel to receive a blessing. The Old Testament Terms for blessing abound in the Old Testament, occurring over 600 times. In all cases, the blessing served as a guide and motivation to pursue a course of life within the blessing. Second, the blessing endowed power for prosperity and success. First, a blessing was a public declaration of a favored status with God.
For this reason, the concept of blessing pervades the biblical record. God's intention and desire to bless humanity is a central focus of his covenant relationships.
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