I have always heard that the word blessed means “happy”. However, one of my New Testament text books
calls that a mistake noting that those who mourn are not happy. The text says blessed actually means “congratulation
to” and it reflects God’s estimate, rather than human emotions. The Lord’s
words take on new meaning when read:
“Congratulations to
the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Congratulations to
those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Congratulations to
the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Congratulations to
those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Congratulations to the merciful, for
they will be shown mercy.
Congratulations to
the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Congratulations to the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Congratulations to those who are
persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Congratulations to you when people
insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because
of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the
same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matt 5:3-11 NIV)
1 comment:
Gail;
-----I know “blessed” as being a very expansive concept indeed. To consecrate by religious act, to invoke divine care for, to speak well of and to praise and glorify by proclamation, seem to be the word’s commonly acknowledged connotations. These are certainly valid and very meaningful ideas Merriam-Webster sets out first. But among all its given definitions, none approach that of “congratulating”. Yet, when I read your blog, your use of the concept seems fitting.
-----The final definitions this dictionary offers are what I see as being the heart and substance of everything that it is to bless: “to confer prosperity or happiness upon;” and “PROTECT, PRESERVE, ENDOW, FAVOR.” I used to perceive the idea of “blessing” anyone as just a ho-hum, affectionate expression. It meant little to me. So also “Blessing the Lord” was to me just high-hearted gibberish.
-----But then, I also refused to accept anything of the Bible as gibberish. I knew that somehow I would have to understand what the Bible fully meant by this word beyond its ritualistic and emotive duties. I figured finding that meaning would lead me to the appreciation of its more ceremonial aspects.
----It was this idea of "conferring prosperity" which, for me, opened the word up to infinity. Both “confer” and “prosperity” are also boundless terms. Anything good for someone is prosperity, and any way of bestowing that upon someone is to confer it. It began to seem like “blessing” someone was to do what was good and right to someone because you think of it as being the natural need for everybody, and because you desire good and right things for everything you effect. So you proclaim it and invoke it and consecrate it in your mind as well, because these things are the initiatives of it.
-----Then, in my mind, the Beatitudes blossomed in meaning like did Heaven, and Heaven became the place where the only effect of any and every cause was good. In turn, every effect becomes another cause which can seek to evoke only good. It is like the Second Law of Thermodynamics is repealed, and in its place is enacted for us (we are blessed with) the better law by which everything seeks its highest state of existence, not its lowest. Heaven is the place where every effect is a building effect. And so it is a place of the perpetual building of good, the perpetual conference of prosperity. Everything there confers prosperity only.
-----I see, now, that in the certainty of God’s faithfulness congratulations is in the train of His blessings. It is a good fit.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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