Page Two: “Blessed Is …” 05/27/2012
Did you notice that every time it is used in the early pages of man’s history, it’s a verb? It’s an action. And it’s an act of God.
And here’s how it sounds in English – “Barak.” Our President’s name means “blessed.” You might also remember that this was one of the names of the Judges of Israel; Barak.
And there’s one further place in Genesis I’d like you to go with me to see how God uses this term in the first book of the Bible. Turn with me to Genesis 12. Here’s Genesis 12:1 “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee:
(2) And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: (3) And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
Did you notice the verb “I will bless”? That’s the word Barak. And did you notice the noun “blessing”? That’s pronounced Barachah. And that word means “prosperity.”
And, one more thing; did you notice the adjective “blessed”? This is exactly the same word you find in Genesis chapter one, “God blessed them.”
Now, I’ll ask you this question. What does it mean? Well here are just a few ideas that we find in God’s word. This is how the word is used in the Bible in numerous places.
1. To kneel – Gen. 24:11 “he made his camels kneel.”
Psalm 95:6 “Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”
2. To adore on bended knee –
3. To salute or greet –
4. To congratulate –
The word comes from the exact same word as “knee.” In
Hebrew it’s pronounced “Berek.” Whenever you kneel on your knees in worship, you are blessing.
No doubt you’ve read about the Apostle James. But did you know that James had a nickname? He was known as "Mr. Camel Knees." Why? Because the flesh upon his knees had become calloused, hardened from his much kneeling in prayer. [Found on www.sermonindex.net “Praying Hyde” by Pastor John Hulsey.]
And have you ever heard of the great man of prayer, John Hyde? John Hyde was a missionary to Bombay, India. He lived 1865 – 1912.
Here’s what Basis Miller wrote in the biography of John Hyde.
“John Hyde was all of these and more, for deep in India's Punjab he envisioned his Master, and face to face with the Eternal he learned lessons of prayer which to others were amazing. Walking on such anointed ground...for thirty days and nights, or ten days on end, or remain on his knees for thirty-six hours without moving...when he returned to the field preaching from such seasons...he was thus possessed of a spiritual power which opened dark hearts of India to his message.” [Found on www.sermonindex.net “Praying Hyde” by Pastor John Hulsey.].
Isn’t it interesting that the word “blessed” comes from the word “knees”?
First, then “to bless” = “to kneel” I’ve given you one OT word that conveys what it means. Now look with me at a NT word. It’s found in the Sermon on the Mount and in the words of Jesus. Matthew 5:3 “blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Eight more times Jesus uses the same word here at the beginning of the sermon.
Second, “blessedness” = “happiness” Actually the original word is the word makarios. It’s translated blessed every time except six. And those six places translate it “happiness.” In all the other 52 places it’s translated “blessed.”
And here’s how it sounds in English – “Barak.” Our President’s name means “blessed.” You might also remember that this was one of the names of the Judges of Israel; Barak.
And there’s one further place in Genesis I’d like you to go with me to see how God uses this term in the first book of the Bible. Turn with me to Genesis 12. Here’s Genesis 12:1 “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee:
(2) And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: (3) And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
Did you notice the verb “I will bless”? That’s the word Barak. And did you notice the noun “blessing”? That’s pronounced Barachah. And that word means “prosperity.”
And, one more thing; did you notice the adjective “blessed”? This is exactly the same word you find in Genesis chapter one, “God blessed them.”
Now, I’ll ask you this question. What does it mean? Well here are just a few ideas that we find in God’s word. This is how the word is used in the Bible in numerous places.
1. To kneel – Gen. 24:11 “he made his camels kneel.”
Psalm 95:6 “Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”
2. To adore on bended knee –
3. To salute or greet –
4. To congratulate –
The word comes from the exact same word as “knee.” In
Hebrew it’s pronounced “Berek.” Whenever you kneel on your knees in worship, you are blessing.
No doubt you’ve read about the Apostle James. But did you know that James had a nickname? He was known as "Mr. Camel Knees." Why? Because the flesh upon his knees had become calloused, hardened from his much kneeling in prayer. [Found on www.sermonindex.net “Praying Hyde” by Pastor John Hulsey.]
And have you ever heard of the great man of prayer, John Hyde? John Hyde was a missionary to Bombay, India. He lived 1865 – 1912.
Here’s what Basis Miller wrote in the biography of John Hyde.
“John Hyde was all of these and more, for deep in India's Punjab he envisioned his Master, and face to face with the Eternal he learned lessons of prayer which to others were amazing. Walking on such anointed ground...for thirty days and nights, or ten days on end, or remain on his knees for thirty-six hours without moving...when he returned to the field preaching from such seasons...he was thus possessed of a spiritual power which opened dark hearts of India to his message.” [Found on www.sermonindex.net “Praying Hyde” by Pastor John Hulsey.].
Isn’t it interesting that the word “blessed” comes from the word “knees”?
First, then “to bless” = “to kneel” I’ve given you one OT word that conveys what it means. Now look with me at a NT word. It’s found in the Sermon on the Mount and in the words of Jesus. Matthew 5:3 “blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Eight more times Jesus uses the same word here at the beginning of the sermon.
Second, “blessedness” = “happiness” Actually the original word is the word makarios. It’s translated blessed every time except six. And those six places translate it “happiness.” In all the other 52 places it’s translated “blessed.”