Blessing

“From the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth, may God always give you abundant harvests of grain and bountiful new wine. May many nations become your servants, and may they bow down to you. May you be the master over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. All who curse you will be cursed, and all who bless you will be blessed.” [Genesis 27.28-29]

These are the ritualistic words of "blessing" due to Esau but spoken by Isaac over Jacob instead. Regardless how we view these words today, their impact upon Jacob's life (and consequently upon Esau's life) was undeniable in the record that they came true.

In today's society, we would tend to think, "no big deal," if the blessing was spoken over the wrong person. "Just do it again over the right one." But the Biblical principle of "the power of the tongue" is clearly on display in this story and, as Jacob's and Esau's lives were lived out, proved to be accurate.

However, there is more to the story than just "the power of the tongue." There is also a significant display of what "birthright" means. It's a real thing. Again, modern society has pretty much left the cultural practices surrounding "birthright," but we must understand it was a big enough deal in Isaac's time that his grown, tough, 40 year old son cried about it.

Even though we might not knowingly practice the ritual of "birthright" today, it does not mean we don't live in the effect of it. In every instance where God spoke regarding Jesus, His declaration about Jesus' Sonship established "birthright."

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” [Matthew 3.17]

But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” [Matthew 17:5]

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” [Mark 9:7]

Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.” [Luke 9:35]

As we recently read that Abraham gave everything he owned to Isaac, so God has given everything He owns to Jesus. 

The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. [John 3.35]

Just as Esau was made subordinate to Jacob in Isaac's blessing, so Christ's followers are made subordinate to Him in God's blessing. But watch this, Isaac made a very interesting declaration at the end of his blessing on Jacob, “All who curse you will be cursed, and all who bless you will be blessed.” In other words, those who honor the blessing upon Jacob would also enjoy that blessing upon him. Jacob's story confirms this when Esau decided not to kill Jacob but instead embraced him - Jacob shared with Esau from his abundance. When Esau blessed Jacob, he was blessed.

So it is with Jesus. If we bless Him, we share in His blessing, the most significant of which is His resurrection! However, as we saw with Jesus' followers, they shared in His power as well, performing many mighty miracles. This gives significant depth of meaning then to the following passage:

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. [Galatians 2:20]

Our "blessing" upon Jesus, while verbalized in words, is also lived out in our taking up our cross and following Him. This is how we are "in Christ."  And, as we bless Him (to be "in Him"), His every blessing as the firstborn of God is upon us!

Suddenly, we can see the significance of Isaac's spoken blessing upon Jacob as well as the contents of that blessing!

Now, back to "the power of the tongue..." Our spoken blessing upon Jesus puts us in position to receive all the blessings upon Him:

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [Romans 10:9]

In contrast however to popular teachings today about "the power of the tongue," it must be understood that the spoken blessing, while quite sufficient to place us "in Christ," is only validated as Christ is then seen in us. Here is how Jesus taught about this very subject:

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. [Matthew 7:21]

How do we know if we are doing the will of the Father? Well, it's pretty simple, really:

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. [John 6.38]

The ONLY sure way of knowing we are doing God's will is that our lives look and act every bit like Jesus! 

When we bless Jesus, God's Firstborn, His blessing manifests through our lives. 

Otherwise, there is no sure way to know we are His. The widespread idea of abstract "faith" without works is pure error (James 2.17) and has surely damned countless souls to hell.

Esau's and Jacob's story serves to teach us the importance of God identifying Jesus as His Son (His firstborn). If furthermore teaches us the importance of being "in Christ" as manifested when we "bless Him" with our words backed by our works. All who bless Jesus in this way, share in His blessing as the Firstborn of God.

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [John 3.16]

Father, You have once again spoken to my heart. I pray my words written here bless anyone who reads them and causes them to pause and consider their life as it has caused me to pause and consider my own. May you find us confessing Jesus today with His life manifesting through ours! So be it.