Bible Study About Blessings: What They Really Mean for Us

Have you ever said you were “#blessed” when something went your way? Many of us do. We might thank God for a promotion, a new baby, or even a parking spot at church and call it a blessing.

But what exactly is a blessing according to the Bible, and does it only show up when life is picture-perfect? If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re still blessed even on your bad days, you’re in good company.

Let’s take a friendly exploration into what “blessing” really means in Scripture.

Spoiler: it’s so much more than material prosperity or a one-time favor. In fact, understanding biblical blessings can transform how we see our relationship with God and our day-to-day struggles.

What Does "Blessing" Mean in the Bible?

In everyday language, we often use bless, blessed, and blessing pretty loosely. We might say “Bless you!” after someone sneezes or describe ourselves as “blessed” when life is good. The Bible’s use of these words, especially in the King James Version (KJV), goes much deeper.

Old Testament (Hebrew)

The main Hebrew word for “to bless” is barak, which literally means “to kneel.”

Picture someone kneeling in reverence or to receive something – that’s the posture behind barak.

It’s used for God blessing people, people blessing God (as in praising Him), and people blessing each other. In essence, to bless is to invoke divine favor or to fill with benefit and goodness​.

• For example, in the very beginning, “God blessed [the creatures], saying, Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:22) – He gave them the ability to flourish.

Another Hebrew term translated “blessed” is esher, which means happy or fortunate. This one isn’t about giving a blessing, but rather describing someone who is blessed.

• Think of Psalm 1: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly... but his delight is in the law of the Lord.”

Such a person is happy in God’s favor. In short, the Old Testament idea of being blessed carries a sense of being in harmony with God, under His care and favor.

New Testament (Greek)

There are two key words for blessing in the New Testament.

One is makarios, usually translated “blessed” or “happy.” It describes an inner joy and contentment that comes from being right with God.

• When Jesus says “Blessed are the poor in spirit...” (Matthew 5:3), the word is makarios – a state of spiritual well-being, even if outward circumstances are hard.

It’s a counter-cultural kind of happiness not based on money or comfort, but on God’s favor​.

The other word is eulogeo, usually the verb “to bless,” literally “to speak well of.” It’s where we get eulogy. To eulogeo someone is to speak good words over them – to praise or invoke a blessing.

In the Bible, people bless God (praise Him) and bless others, and God blesses people.

• For instance, when Jesus took bread and “blessed” it, He was giving thanks and speaking a benediction.

So in New Testament terms, to bless is often to confer favor or to ask God’s goodness on someone, and to be blessed is to be enjoying that favor.

To sum up, a “blessing” in the Bible is not a magical charm or just a nice wish. It’s a profound concept of receiving or giving God’s favor, presence, or benefit.

It might be a promise of well-being, a state of joy, or a gift that furthers life and happiness.

Ultimately, God Himself is the source of all blessings. (If that feels a bit abstract, hang on – it gets practical as we look at real examples!)

Favor, Reward, and Other Blessing-Related Ideas

When we talk about blessings, a cluster of other encouraging words often comes up: favor, reward, inheritance, prosperity, to name a few.

These concepts are tightly woven into the Bible’s teaching on blessing, like different threads in the same beautiful tapestry. Let’s unravel a few:

Favor:

In Scripture, favor often means being graciously approved or singled out for kindness. It’s very close to the idea of grace.

• When Mary is visited by the angel, she’s called “highly favoured” by God and “blessed among women” (Luke 1:28​).

God’s favor rested on her in a special way, allowing her to be the mother of Jesus.

Being blessed and having God’s favor go hand-in-hand – to be blessed is essentially to have God’s face shine upon you (as the famous blessing in Numbers 6 says).

It doesn’t mean life will be easy, but it means God is with you and for you. We can seek God’s favor by humbly walking with Him.

And incredibly, through Christ, every believer already has God’s favor as His child. How amazing is that?

Reward:

The Bible often presents blessings as rewards for faithfulness – but not in a cold, transactional way. It’s more like a loving parent rewarding a child.

• God promises that “to those who by patience in well-doing seek glory and honor... He will give eternal life” (Romans 2:7) and “he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

In the Old Testament, obedience was linked to tangible rewards:

• “If you obey, blessed shall you be in the city and in the field... the Lord will open to you his good treasure” (see Deuteronomy 28).

In the New Testament, the focus shifts to spiritual rewards –

• “great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:12) for those who endure persecution, and an “inheritance” kept for us (more on inheritance next!).

So, yes, God delights to reward His children, often calling those rewards “blessings.” But unlike a paycheck we earn, these rewards spring from His grace and our relationship with Him.

Inheritance:

This word paints the picture of blessing passed down as a legacy. In the Bible, inheritance is a huge theme connected to blessings.

God promised Abraham’s descendants an inheritance – the land of Canaan – which was a blessing for them (and it pointed to an even greater inheritance in eternity).

• When a patriarch like Isaac or Jacob gave their sons a blessing, it was essentially speaking over their inheritance and destiny (think of Jacob “stealing” Esau’s firstborn blessing in Genesis 27:28–29 – he wasn’t grabbing some magic words, he was taking the inheritance and favor meant for his brother!).

• In the New Testament, inheritance language is used for what we receive as God’s children: we become “heirs of God” (Romans 8:17) and receive “an inheritance incorruptible” (1 Peter 1:4) – eternal life and the kingdom.
• Ephesians 1 says in Christ we “have obtained an inheritance” and were sealed with the Holy Spirit as the down payment of it​. That inheritance is the ultimate blessing!

Even our earthly blessings are like a foretaste. Also, note that stewardship is implied here: an inheritance is meant to be valued and managed well. When God blesses us with any gift (spiritual or physical), He’s entrusting it to us like an heir.

Prosperity:

Ah, a loaded word! Biblical prosperity is the idea of thriving or succeeding in what God gives you to do. In the Old Testament, prosperity is often very material and visible – herds, crops, health, peace from enemies – all signs of God’s blessing.

• “The LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods” and “shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses” (Deuteronomy 28:8) were promises to Israel​. Proverbs 10:22 says “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”

Does that mean if you’re godly, you’ll always be rich? Not exactly. It’s a principle that God’s favor brings true enrichment to life – and it won’t bring the sorrow that worldly riches do​.

• In the New Testament, God certainly provides for our needs (Philippians 4:19) and can bless us materially, but the emphasis is on soul prosperity.
• John writes, “I pray that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2).

Jesus warned that you can gain the whole world and lose your soul – that would be no blessing at all!

So prosperity in biblical terms is having all that you need to fulfill God’s purpose for you, abundance with peace, and that can be spiritual riches, physical riches, or both.

We should neither idolize prosperity nor be afraid of it. It’s one of the ways God’s blessing can manifest, especially as we honor Him. But when we say “I’m blessed”, we shouldn’t only mean “I have lots of stuff.” True prosperity is far more holistic.

These related ideas help flesh out “blessing.” God’s favor is the heart of it, rewards can accompany it, an inheritance awaits us because of it, and sometimes prosperity flows from it.

Importantly, all these are relational. They come from being in right relationship with God. A person might accumulate wealth or status (outward prosperity) but not have God’s favor – that’s not a true blessing in the biblical sense.

Meanwhile, someone with very little money might live a deeply blessed life because they know the Lord and have His peace.

• In God’s eyes, “better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right” (Proverbs 16:8).

So, being blessed is being favored by God, often walking in reward, looking forward to an inheritance, and flourishing (by His definition of flourishing!). And guess what? That includes both gifts from God and sometimes discipline or trials that ultimately work for our good.

Which leads us to some real examples, because theory is nice, but the Bible gives us tons of stories to see blessings in action.

Blessings in the Old Testament: Promises and Examples

From the first chapters of Genesis, the concept of blessing is front and center. God loves to bless. It’s part of His generous character.

The Old Testament overflows with examples of blessings – some that God directly bestows, and others that people pronounce in His name. Here are a few highlights that might resonate with you:

Creation Blessings:

The very first blessing in the Bible happens during creation.

• After making the sea creatures and birds, “God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:22).
• He does the same for Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28, blessing them and charging them to fill the earth and steward it.

Think about that: before humanity did anything, God’s first interaction with us as male and female was to bless us. What a gracious start! This shows God’s intention for His creation to thrive under His favor.

Life itself was given as a blessing. Even after the fall into sin, God’s desire to bless wasn’t snuffed out – though the ground was cursed, God immediately began a plan to restore blessing (hint: that plan involves a Savior!).

The Promise to Abraham:

If you want to trace a single thread of blessing through the Bible, start with Abraham.

• In Genesis 12:2-3, God calls Abram (Abraham) and promises, “I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing... and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

This is huge. Here, blessing is not just about one man’s good fortune. It’s about God reversing the curse of sin and spreading His favor to all nations through Abraham’s offspring.

Abraham himself was blessed with protection, wealth, and a son in his old age, but the ultimate blessing promised was that through his line would come a blessing for everyone. (We’ll see in the New Testament who that is – spoiler: Jesus!).

Also note God says “thou shalt be a blessing.” We are blessed to be a blessing.

That starts here and echoes throughout Scripture. Abraham’s life had ups and downs, but overall he’s an example of someone who trusted God and thus walked in blessing.

At one point God tested him greatly (asking him to sacrifice Isaac), and when Abraham proved faithful,

• God reaffirmed “in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed... and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 22:17–18​).

Obedience opened the door to confirmed blessing. For us, it’s encouraging: even when a blessing seems delayed, God will fulfill His promises in due time.

Family Blessings and Birthrights:

In the patriarchal times, spoken blessings over children were a really big deal. Isaac’s blessing over his sons was essentially prophetic and determinative for their futures.

We see Jacob desperately longing for his father’s blessing – so much that he and his mother deceived Isaac to get it! Jacob received the blessing meant for Esau:

• “God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine...” and that his brothers would serve him (Genesis 27:28–29​).

Was that just an old man’s well-wishing? No, it carried spiritual weight. Once given, it couldn’t simply be taken back. Esau, who missed out, wept and begged for a blessing too.

This narrative might seem strange to us, but it shows how tangible and powerful blessings were considered. They were like the passing of the baton of God’s favor and promise from one generation to the next.

• Rebekah’s family similarly blessed her when she left to marry Isaac: “Be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them” (Genesis 24:60​).

These aren’t magic spells – they’re prayers and predictions aligned with God’s will. Today, we can take a cue from this: speaking words of blessing over our children, friends, and church members isn’t a hollow ritual. It’s powerful to pray God’s favor and guidance over someone’s life.

The Blessing and Cursing Principle:

In the Law of Moses, particularly Deuteronomy 28, God laid out blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience to Israel. “Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field... blessed shall be thy basket and thy store...”​ if they followed God’s commands.

This included health, fruitful crops, victory in battle, etc. Conversely, turning away from God would remove His blessing and bring hardship. This might sound harsh, but it was essentially the terms of Israel’s covenant with God.

It teaches that blessings thrive in an environment of faithful relationship, while rejecting God cuts us off from the source of blessing. Importantly, even these “earned” blessings under the law were rooted in God’s grace – He wanted to lavish good on His people.

He basically said “Just stick with Me, and you’ll have it made!”

Sadly, Israel often strayed and experienced the loss of those blessings. But God’s heart was always to restore them when they repented.

For us under the new covenant, we’re not promised a trouble-free life for good behavior; however, the principle still holds that walking in God’s ways brings spiritual and often material blessings, whereas walking contrary brings sorrow.

We reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). The difference now is that Jesus took the curse of the law on Himself (Galatians 3:13) so that we, even in our failures, can still inherit the blessing by God’s grace​.

(I’m getting ahead of myself – more on that in the New Testament section!)

Examples of Individual Blessings:

There are so many!

• Think of Joseph, who went through slavery and prison, yet God “blessed” everything he did and eventually raised him to be second-in-command of Egypt, saving many lives.
• Or Ruth, the widowed foreigner who found favor (blessing) with Boaz and became part of the lineage of King David (and ultimately Jesus) – her faithfulness was rewarded far beyond what she imagined.
• King David himself received God’s blessing in the form of a promise that his dynasty would last forever, which was fulfilled in the Messiah.
• And remember Jabez? In a long list of names in 1 Chronicles, he stands out because he prayed, “Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast...” and God granted his request (1 Chronicles 4:10).

This little prayer became famous through a modern book – some misused it as a formula to get rich, but Jabez’s heart was sincere in asking God for increase and opportunity, and God honored it.

The lesson: it’s not wrong to ask for God’s blessing! So long as our heart is to use it for good and not idolize the gift. God loves to be asked.

Priestly Blessing:

A particularly beautiful example is the Aaronic blessing that God instructed the priests to speak over the people:

• “The LORD bless thee and keep thee; The LORD make His face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee; The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace” (Numbers 6:24–26​).

This wasn’t just a prayer – it was God telling them exactly how to pronounce His name over Israel. It shows God’s fatherly desire for His children: protection, favor (His shining face is the ultimate favor), grace, and peace. It’s a holistic blessing covering every aspect of life.

Many churches still use this benediction today, and it never fails to warm my heart. It’s like God saying, “You are mine, and I am watching over you with a smile.” In tough times, remembering that God’s face is toward us and not turned away is a blessing that keeps us going.

These Old Testament glimpses show blessings in forms of children, land, victory, favor among people, long life, and more. Importantly, they also show that the greatest blessing is God’s presence and promise.

• Consider that when Moses asked to see God’s glory, God caused His goodness to pass by and proclaimed, “The LORD… abundant in goodness and truth” – God Himself is the blessing.

That’s why when the Lord was with someone (Joseph, David, etc.), they prospered even in strange places.

But wait, do blessings mean life is always easy in the Old Testament? No – many blessed people faced trials.

Job is a prime example: he was called the greatest (most blessed) man of his region, yet he lost everything as a test of faith. In the end, God restored double to Job and blessed the latter part of his life more than the first, but not before Job learned priceless spiritual truths.

This tells us something important: material or situational blessing can be given, taken, and given again – but the bedrock blessing is God’s relationship with us.

So by the end of the Old Testament, we see a pattern: God’s intention to bless, human ups and downs in obedience, and an increasing longing for the ultimate blessing God would send – a Messiah, a new covenant, a time when “the curse” would be undone.

The stage is set for the New Testament, where blessings take on an even deeper, eternal dimension.

Blessings in the New Testament: A New Perspective

When we flip into the New Testament, the idea of blessing doesn’t disappear – it actually ramps up and broadens out.

Jesus and the apostles talk a lot about blessings, but sometimes in ways that surprise the world.

Jesus Christ himself is the fulfillment of all God’s blessings and also the one who transforms our understanding of what it means to be blessed.

Let’s explore how:

Jesus’ Beatitudes – Blessings in Unexpected Places:

Perhaps the most famous blessings in the Bible are the Beatitudes – the series of statements in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3–12) where He lists who is “blessed.”

But notice how counter-intuitive these are:

• “Blessed are the poor in spirit… blessed are they that mourn… blessed are the meek…” Wait, happy and favored are the mourning and poor?

In the world’s eyes, those folks aren’t #blessed; they’re #miserable. But Jesus is revealing a deeper truth: those who recognize their spiritual need (poor in spirit), who grieve over sin and suffering (mourn), who submit their strength to God (meek), etc., these are the ones living under God’s smile.

• Why? Because “theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” “they shall be comforted,” “they shall inherit the earth,” and so on​. Each beatitude pairs a present heart condition with a future (or spiritual) reward.

Jesus is essentially saying no matter your external circumstances, if you have these heart qualities, you’re blessed because you belong to God’s kingdom.

• He even includes “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” – meaning you could be in jail for your faith or losing friends, yet you’re blessed because your reward in heaven is great.

This is revolutionary. It shifts the focus from earthly comfort to spiritual standing. It assures us that when we’re at our lowest, we can still be smack in the middle of God’s favor.

In fact, often our lowest points drive us closer to God, which is the true blessing. The Beatitudes encourage us to look at life with an eternal perspective.

I sometimes read them when I feel like I’m “unlucky” or life is unfair – they remind me that if I have Jesus, I have everything, and my present tears or struggles are seen by God and will turn to joy.

Jesus: The Blesser and the Blessed One:

Consider how often Jesus blessed others. He took children in His arms and blessed them.

• He lifted His hands and blessed His disciples as He ascended to heaven (Luke 24:50).
• Everywhere He went, He was giving out blessings – sight to the blind, acceptance to the outcast, forgiveness to the sinner.
• In fact, the book of Acts later says, “God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.” (Acts 3:26​).

Jesus’ ultimate blessing was not money or land, but rescue from sin and a restored relationship with God.

He is the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise that “in thy seed all families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Through Jesus (Abraham’s descendant), the blessing of salvation has come to the whole world – Gentiles included!

• Galatians 3:14 puts it this way: “Christ redeemed us from the curse... that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”​

Isn’t that beautiful? Our biggest blessing is that we, no matter our ethnicity or past, can by faith inherit the promise given to Abraham – which includes being part of God’s family and receiving the Holy Spirit (God’s presence in us) as a down payment of eternal life. Talk about blessings on a cosmic scale!

Spiritual Blessings in Christ:

The Apostle Paul loved to talk about our riches in Christ.

• Ephesians 1:3 bursts into praise, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”​

If you are a Christian, all spiritual blessings are yours in Jesus. What are those?

Paul lists some in that chapter:

• being chosen
• adopted as God’s children
• redeemed by Christ’s blood
• forgiven of sins
• given wisdom and understanding of God’s will
• having an inheritance
• being sealed with the Holy Spirit

– wow!

These are things we might not always feel in day-to-day life, but they are as real as can be. It’s like having a bank account full of money that you might forget to draw on when you’re feeling “poor.”

The New Testament writers remind us what treasures we have so we can live in gratitude and confidence.

• One of my favorite “blessing” verses is Romans 4:7–8, which quotes the Old Testament: “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”

If you have been forgiven by God through Christ, you are blessed beyond measure – even if other things in your life are chaotic. That forgiveness means no barrier between you and God, which is the core of all blessing.

A New Covenant Take on Earthly Blessings:

Does the New Testament promise health and wealth to Christians the way the Old Testament did to Israel for obedience? Not exactly – and this is where some folks get confused.

• Under the new covenant, Jesus actually prepares us to expect hardship in this life (John 16:33).
• But He also promises God’s provision for our needs (Matthew 6:33) and rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28).
• Many early Christians were poor or persecuted, yet they spoke of themselves as blessed. James 2:5 says “Has not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom…?”

There’s a shift: God’s blessing is not proven by our bank account but by the richness of faith, love, and endurance He works in us. That said, God does still give tangible blessings!

He heals, He provides miraculously at times, He opens doors for jobs and families and ministry.

• Every good thing in our lives, big or small, is from God’s hand (James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights...”).

So we absolutely should thank God for the “small” blessings like a sunny day, a meal with friends, a promotion, or recovery from illness. The difference is we hold those blessings loosely, knowing the greatest blessings are eternal and internal.

• Paul said he knew how to be content with much or little, because “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – Christ was his constant source of blessing (Philippians 4:12–13).

In short, the New Testament doesn’t focus on what you have, but Whom you have. If you have Jesus, you have the blesser Himself, and whether you walk through abundance or scarcity, you remain blessed.

Blessing Others and Responding to Blessing:

The New Testament places a strong emphasis on our attitude toward blessings. First, we are called to bless others – even those who mistreat us.

• “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you,” Jesus taught (Luke 6:28).
• And “Do not repay evil for evil... but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9​).

Wow, so part of our calling as Christians is to give blessings, not insults or retaliation. That could mean speaking kind words, praying for someone, or doing good to them. When we do this, we ourselves “inherit a blessing.”

God loves a generous blesser! There’s a kingdom principle here: we are blessed to be a blessing, and as we bless, we receive even more blessing.

• Jesus said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you” (Luke 6:38) and “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Have you ever noticed that the joy of being a blessing to someone often outweighs the joy of getting something? That’s by God’s design.

Secondly, the New Testament encourages gratitude and stewardship in response to blessings. “Every good gift is from above,” so the appropriate response is thanksgiving.

• Ephesians 1, after listing our spiritual blessings, is basically one long praise song.
• We are urged to “be thankful in everything” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and to “offer the sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15).

This keeps us from taking blessings for granted or becoming proud, as if we earned them. Also, we’re taught to steward blessings well. If God blesses you with money, use it generously to help others and advance His work.

• If He blesses you with a talent or spiritual gift, don’t bury it – invest it (like the parable of the talents in Matthew 25).
• Jesus said, “To whom much is given, of him much will be required” (Luke 12:48).

That’s not meant to scare us but to remind us blessings come with responsibility. The good news is, God also gives the wisdom and strength to use our blessings wisely when we ask Him.

Blessings in Suffering:

One very striking New Testament theme is that suffering and blessing are not opposites. In fact, suffering can be a pathway to blessing. This is totally upside-down from a worldly view.

• James 1:12 says “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life.”
• There’s a blessing during the trial (God’s refining presence, deeper faith) and a blessing after the trial (reward, maturity).
• 1 Peter 4:14 even says, “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, happy (blessed) are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”

Early Christians took heart that their hardships for Jesus were a sign of God’s special presence with them​. This doesn’t mean we go looking for pain.

It means when pain comes in the path of following God, it is not a sign He’s abandoned us – rather, He’s working a blessing through it.

Many of you can testify that some of the times you felt closest to God were in the middle of a crisis, when you cried out and experienced His comfort. That comfort is a blessing no one can steal.

• So if you’re going through a rough season and thinking, “Where are my blessings now?”, remember Jesus’ words: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

The comfort is the blessing. And because of Jesus, all our sorrows are temporary, but the joy coming is eternal.

• Every trial endured in faith will result in praise and honor when Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:7).

That perspective has helped me immensely. It turns “Why me?” into “What is God going to do through this?” and that shift is a blessing in itself.

Put simply, the New Testament assures us that God has not short-changed us. On the contrary, in Christ we have the fullness of blessing, even if our life circumstances rise and fall.

We carry the blessing of the Holy Spirit within us – love, joy, and peace that don’t depend on external situations. We have the fellowship of believers, which is a blessing of community.

We have the promises of Scripture to guide and encourage us. And we have the hope of heaven, which leads to the next big theme: the continuity from Old to New and how Jesus fulfills the blessing promises.

From Promise to Fulfillment: Blessings from the Old to the New

One of the most exciting things in a believer’s journey is realizing how the whole Bible connects. Those blessings in the Old Testament find their fulfillment or transformation in Jesus Christ.

There’s a beautiful continuity: God didn’t scrap the old blessings – He fulfilled them in a fuller way through the Messiah, and He expanded them to include all who believe, Jew and Gentile.

Here are some key connections and continuities:

Abraham’s Blessing to the Nations -> Jesus the Savior of All:

We touched on this, but it bears repeating. God’s promise to Abraham that “in thy seed all families of the earth shall be blessed”​ is like a golden thread running through the whole Bible.

The Old Testament shows the build-up: Abraham’s family becomes Israel, Israel brings forth David, and from David’s line comes Jesus.

• The Gospel of Matthew even highlights Jesus’ genealogy as “the son of David, the son of Abraham.”

Jesus is the Seed of Abraham who brings the blessing to everyone. How? By offering salvation and the Holy Spirit to all peoples.

• When Peter preached to the Jews in Acts 3, he directly quoted that Genesis promise and said it was fulfilled by Jesus being raised up and sent to “bless you” by turning you from sin​.
• Paul in Galatians teaches that those who have faith in Christ are children of Abraham and “are blessed with faithful Abraham” (Gal. 3:7–9).

So the church – comprising all nations – is now inheriting Abraham’s blessing. This doesn’t mean physical land or numerous offspring necessarily, but the core of the blessing: being God’s people and knowing Him.

It’s incredible continuity: what started with one nomad in Canaan has extended to millions around the globe who sing “Father Abraham had many sons… I am one of them and so are you!”

Truly, “all the families of the earth” are being blessed through Jesus, the son of Abraham. And through Him, we too become a blessing to others by sharing the good news.

The Reversal of the Curse:

Remember the curse that came in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve sinned – the ground was cursed, pain entered the world, death through sin. The Old Testament is largely about God setting up a covenant to deal with sin (through sacrifices) and hinting at a future cure.

• Christ is that cure. Galatians 3:13 says “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’).”​

At the cross, Jesus took the curse we deserved so we could receive the blessing of Abraham (the Spirit and justification by faith). It’s the great exchange.

• Because of this, the very end of the Bible in Revelation shows the curse completely lifted: “And there shall be no more curse” (Revelation 22:3) – that’s the finale of God’s blessing plan.

Eden lost will be Eden restored, even better. In eternity, all who belong to Christ will enjoy unbroken blessing – God’s presence face to face, serving Him joyfully, and no more sin or suffering.

That is the ultimate inheritance we talked about. So Jesus’s work guarantees that every blessing God ever promised will be ours forever.

This continuity from curse-to-blessing is why you and I can have hope even at funerals or in dark days – the curse is temporary, the blessing is eternal in Christ.

Types and Shadows of Christ’s Blessing:

The Old Testament is full of “types” – people or rituals that foreshadow what Christ would do. For example, Melchizedek, a mysterious priest-king in Genesis, blessed Abraham and gave him bread and wine.

• Hebrews 7 points out that Melchizedek is a type of Christ, and that “without contradiction the less is blessed of the greater.”

In other words, Melchizedek (the greater) blessed Abraham (the lesser), showing his superiority​. Jesus is our ultimate High Priest “after the order of Melchizedek,” and He blesses us, implying He’s far greater than Abraham (which He is – He said, “Before Abraham was, I AM.”).

• Another type: the Passover lamb’s blood brought protection (a blessing of life) to Israel in Egypt – Jesus is the Lamb of God whose blood brings us eternal life.
• The manna in the wilderness fed and blessed Israel physically – Jesus is the Bread of Life blessing us spiritually.
• The Year of Jubilee (when debts were canceled and land restored) was a huge blessing to the poor in OT law – Jesus proclaimed “the year of the Lord’s favor” in Luke 4, essentially saying I am your Jubilee, I’ve come to free you and restore you.

These connections could fill a book, but the point is, every pattern of blessing in the OT finds its completion in Christ. It’s like all the puzzle pieces coming together to form the face of Jesus.

As a believer, this thrills me because it shows God had our blessing in mind all along, and He masterfully brought it about through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

One People of God:

In the Old Testament, the focus of blessing was on Israel as God’s chosen people. In the New Testament, the circle widens. Through Jesus, the Gentiles (that’s most of us non-Jews) are grafted in to the family.

• Ephesians 2 says that we who were once “strangers to the covenants of promise” have now “been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

We become fellow heirs of the promises. What a shift! This was prophesied in the OT too (e.g. Isaiah said the Messiah would be a light to the Gentiles).

Now Jews and Gentiles in Christ form one new man, one family – the church – receiving God’s blessings together.

This doesn’t cancel out Israel; rather, it fulfills the purpose that through Israel’s Messiah, blessing flows to the world.

Why mention this? Because it emphasizes that God’s heart is to bless everyone who comes to Him.

• Earthly distinctions like ethnicity, status, gender, etc., are not barriers to His blessing. “There is neither Jew nor Greek... for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:28–29).

So, the continuity is that what was narrowly held is now freely given to all in Christ. This should inspire unity and love among us – we’re all commonly blessed, so we can’t boast over one another, only praise God together.

From Earthly Kingdom to Spiritual Kingdom:

In the OT, blessings were often tied to the land of Israel, the monarchy, and so forth. In the NT, Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of God – a reign that begins in human hearts and will be fully realized when He returns. The blessings of the kingdom are somewhat “already and not yet.”

• We already experience righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17), which are kingdom blessings.

We already call Jesus King and live under His lordship, finding purpose and identity (a blessing). But we also await a future kingdom where all the Old Testament prophecies of peace and justice will come true globally.

Revelation gives “beatitudes” (blessed statements) for that anticipation:

• “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy” (Rev 1:3)
• “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on” (Rev 14:13 – meaning they rest from labors and their works follow them)
• “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Rev 19:9)
• and “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life” (Rev 22:14).

The final scenes of Scripture show us a return to Eden-like conditions: God with His people, face shining upon us, “no more curse,” and “they shall reign forever”.

We, through Jesus, inherit the blessing of eternal life and even share in Christ’s reign (which sounds unbelievable, but He calls us co-heirs!).

This continuity from Genesis to Revelation is essentially: Blessing lost in Eden, blessing promised to Abraham, blessing partially experienced through Israel, blessing delivered in Christ, blessing consummated in the New Creation.

And through it all, one faithful God who “has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ” and will never revoke His Word.

Taking a step back, isn’t it astonishing how comprehensive God’s blessing plan is? It spans history and even goes beyond time into eternity. When you read your Bible with this lens, you start seeing “blessing” pop up everywhere, and it’s always tied to God’s presence and purpose.

As believers today, we live in the overlap of the ages – already tasting the powers of the age to come, but still walking in a broken world.

We might not always feel blessed, but the storyline of Scripture assures us that we are part of something grand and good that God is doing, and our “light afflictions” now are preparing an “eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor 4:17).

Every promise God made is “Yes” in Christ (2 Cor 1:20), meaning He intends to fulfill every blessing He’s ever spoken, in Christ, for us. That gives us confidence to live boldly and joyfully.

Living in Blessing Today: Receiving, Stewarding, and Sharing

At this point, all this talk about blessings could still feel a bit theoretical. Let’s bring it down to our everyday life.

What do we do with this knowledge?

How do we position ourselves to receive blessings, and how should we respond when God blesses us?

How do we handle the struggles that don’t feel like blessings?

Here are some down-to-earth, honest reflections:

1. Recognize Your Blessings (and the Blesser):

First off, count your blessings – literally. It sounds cliché, but there’s a reason “Count Your Blessings” is an old hymn.

We are prone to focus on what we lack or what’s going wrong, and we miss the multitude of things that are signs of God’s goodness in our lives.

• Did you wake up this morning? That’s a blessing.
• Do you have a roof over your head and food for today? That’s God providing.
• Do you have at least one person who cares about you? That’s a blessing.
• Most importantly, do you know Jesus? Then you have forgiveness, eternal life, and a Friend who will never leave – the greatest blessing.

When I start thanking God for even the “small” blessings, my perspective shifts from scarcity to abundance. It fosters contentment. Also, as we recognize our blessings, we must keep our eyes on the Blesser.

It’s so easy to love the gift more than the Giver – I’ve been there. But gifts can come and go; God remains.

• Job said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” – wow.

He still blessed the Lord even when the blessings were taken because he knew God was worthy and faithful. Developing that heart takes time and trials, but it’s something to aim for.

Every blessing is like a beam of light pointing back to the sun – let’s follow it up to God and praise Him.

2. Receive Blessings with Humility and Faith:

How do we receive blessings? Often, by simply trusting God and obeying Him. Many promises in Scripture are received by faith.

• Galatians 3:9: “They which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.”

Sometimes we don’t experience a blessing God has for us because we don’t believe Him for it or we’re not walking in His way. For example, God may want to bless you with wisdom, but if you never ask or you ignore His Word, you miss out.

James 1:5-7 says ask in faith for wisdom. Or God wants to bless you with deeper peace, but you keep indulging worry instead of praying (Philippians 4:6-7 promises peace when we present our requests with thanksgiving).

Ouch, that convicts me too – I have to receive that peace by taking the step of prayer and trust. Humility is key in receiving: recognize you need God.

The “poor in spirit” inherit the kingdom. If we think we’re self-sufficient, we position ourselves outside the flow of blessing, because we’re essentially saying “no thanks, I got this.”

On the flip side, sometimes God is pouring out blessings and we feel unworthy (we all are, apart from Christ).

Remember, Jesus made us worthy to receive from God. It’s false humility to reject what God wants to give you.

So whether it’s salvation itself, a spiritual gift, an answer to prayer, or a season of prosperity – receive it with open hands and a grateful heart, knowing it’s from God and not because we earned it.

3. Steward Your Blessings Wisely:

Every blessing carries a responsibility. Think of the parable of the talents – the servants were entrusted with a sum of money (a blessing), and the master expected them to do something with it.

Two invested and gained more (and were blessed with even greater responsibility), one buried it and was rebuked. The point is, don’t waste what God gives you.

• If He’s given you money, support your family, yes, but also consider how you can bless others, fund God’s work, help the poor.
• If He’s blessed you with time (maybe you’re retired or have a flexible schedule), use that time to volunteer, mentor, or deepen your relationship with Him, not just for self-indulgence.
• If He’s blessed you with certain skills or education, think about how those could serve the church or community, not just your career.
• This isn’t to lay a guilt trip – God delights in our enjoyment of His gifts too (1 Tim 6:17 says God gives us richly all things to enjoy). It’s about purpose.

Maybe ask, “Why did God bless me with this, and how can I use it in a way that honors Him?”

I know a Christian couple who were blessed with a large house; they regularly host church groups and even have taken in people in need for seasons.

Another friend has the “blessing of singleness” (though she once viewed it as not a blessing), and she uses her freedom to travel on mission trips and serve in ways married folks with kids might find harder.

That inspires me to view every situation, even the ones I didn’t choose, as a potential blessing to steward.

4. Stay Grateful and Guard Your Heart:

When blessings increase, there’s a subtle danger that Moses warned Israel about: forgetting the Lord.

• “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God... lest when you have eaten and are full, and have built good houses... and your silver and gold is multiplied... then your heart be lifted up and you forget the Lord” (Deut 8:11-14).

Prosperity can breed complacency or pride. That’s why maintaining a rhythm of thanksgiving is crucial. Gratitude keeps us grounded.

• Also, humility – knowing that “Every good gift is from above” and “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Cor 4:7).

If I acknowledge God as the source, I’m less likely to become proud or entitled.

Another heart-guard: generosity. By giving away some of what I receive, it breaks the power of greed and keeps the blessings flowing.

It’s like a circulation – if we hoard blessings, they stagnate; if we share, God is inclined to refill us so we can keep sharing.

And one more: contentment. There’s always someone who seems “more blessed” than you by worldly standards.

In our social media age, this is tough – everyone’s posting their highlight reel of blessings. But we rarely see the full picture or the struggles behind the scenes. Envy can creep in and steal our joy.

• Paul said, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil 4:11).

Contentment is essentially trusting that what God has given me right now is enough and is good for me, even as I can pray for and work toward improvements.

It’s not complacency; it’s peace. If I’m single, I can be content and blessed there (and still desire marriage, but not see myself as “cursed” without it).

If I have a modest income, I can live gratefully within it (and still pursue growth, but without resentment).

Counting others’ blessings instead of my own leads to bitterness. But celebrating others’ blessings leads to shared joy. We’re family – your win is my win. That mindset turns comparisons into praise reports.

5. Embrace the Blessing in Trials:

This is hard, but as we discussed, the New Testament urges us to see a form of blessing even in our struggles. It doesn’t mean slapping a fake smile or denying pain.

• It means knowing that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him” (Rom 8:28).

Sometimes you have to preach to yourself: “This situation stinks, but God is still good. What might He be refining in me? Patience? Deeper empathy? Stronger faith? I believe some good will come out of this.”

• James famously said “Count it all joy when you meet trials... knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (James 1:2-4).

In other words, “this trial is tough, but I’m going to treat it as a workout that’s building my spiritual muscles – and that result is a blessing.” I confess I don’t naturally do this! I often see no silver lining until later.

But as I mature, I’m starting to notice God’s “blessings in disguise” sooner. Sometimes a closed door is a blessing because it redirected me to a better path.

An illness might become a blessing if it taught me to slow down and number my days. A difficult person in my life might be a blessing because they drive me to prayer and teach me to love more deeply.

This doesn’t make the hard thing good in itself – evil and suffering are still contrary to God’s ultimate design – but He can transform their effect.

The cross, a horrible injustice, became the means of salvation for the world. If God can flip the worst event into the greatest blessing, He can handle our daily trials.

This perspective helps us persevere with hope. It’s not always easy; that’s why we need each other, by the way. Being part of a community of believers allows others to speak encouragement when we can’t see the blessing ourselves.

6. Be a Channel of Blessing:

Finally, remember that tagline: “Blessed to be a blessing.” We touched on it, but let’s get super practical. Who can you bless today? Maybe it’s through words: a genuine compliment, a note of appreciation, a prayer over someone.

• Perhaps through an action: making a meal for a neighbor, helping a coworker, or sharing your faith with someone who’s searching (sharing Jesus is the ultimate way to bless someone eternally!).
• How about through giving: is there a need you can meet anonymously? It can be as small as buying groceries for someone or as big as funding a mission.
• The possibilities are endless. The beauty is, when we make it our aim to bless others, our life gains purpose beyond ourselves, and we experience the joy of partnering with God’s work.

It’s actually a remedy for depression and self-pity, I’ve found – when I feel low, doing something kind for another lifts my spirit. It reminds me God can use me, and it reflects His love, which then comforts me too. Also, consider speaking blessings verbally.

It might feel awkward if you’re not used to it, but there’s power in pronouncing a blessing.

• For example, parents, speak blessings over your kids at bedtime or when they leave for school: “May God bless you and keep you today; may you grow in wisdom and kindness.”
• Spouses, speak blessing over your marriage: “I’m grateful for you; may God continue to strengthen our love and unity.”
• Even in church, some traditions have people turn to each other and say, “The peace of Christ be with you.”

That’s essentially blessing one another. What if we adopted that kind of language more?

Not in a forced way, but sincerely wishing and praying God’s good for others. It could change the atmosphere around us. The world has enough cursing and criticizing; we are called to inject blessing.

Everyday Struggles and Blessings:

Let’s be real – living in a mindset of blessing isn’t always easy. We all face days where we feel anything but blessed. You might be battling anxiety, dealing with a broken relationship, or facing financial strain.

You might think, “If I’m blessed, why do I feel so overwhelmed/unloved/afraid?” Remember, being blessed doesn’t mean you will feel happy all the time or that life will be pain-free.

Look at David – a man after God’s heart, definitely blessed – yet he had moments of despair, expressed vividly in the Psalms. But in those moments, he often would stir himself to recall God’s past blessings and declare future hope.

• For instance, in Psalm 42 he says, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?... Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him.”

Sometimes we have to do the same: talk to our soul and remind it of the blessings. Maybe even keep a gratitude journal, or have a friend who can remind you of God’s faithfulness when you forget.

Also, blessings can co-exist with struggles. You might be blessed with supportive family even while sick, or blessed with peace in your heart even while job-hunting. Focus on what God is doing in the midst of what hurts. And know that seasons change.

• The Bible says “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

That’s a blessing promise – that our struggles are temporary and redemptive. They make the eventual blessings shine brighter.

One more thing: don’t fall into the trap of thinking blessings are a zero-sum game.

• God’s storehouse of blessing is infinite.
• He can bless others and still bless you.
• If someone shares a testimony of a great blessing, celebrate genuinely – it doesn’t reduce God’s ability to help you too.
• In fact, testimonies can fuel our faith that “Hey, God did it for them, He can do it for me according to His will.”
• At the same time, beware of equating blessing with outward success alone.

Some of God’s choicest saints were not “successful” by worldly standards (think of prophets who were rejected, or missionaries who died seemingly without fruit) – yet heaven will reveal they were incredibly blessed and were a huge blessing in God’s plan.

In Christ, we live in an atmosphere of blessing.

It might sound bold, but it’s true. Ephesians says we’re seated in heavenly places with Him – that’s the sphere of blessing. Our daily task is to abide in Christ, like a branch in the vine, because as we do, His life and blessings flow in and through us.

• Jesus put it this way: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you... By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit” (John 15:7-8).

Abiding leads to answered prayer and fruitfulness – which are just other words for blessings. So it all circles back to relationship.

God isn’t a vending machine of blessings; He’s a Father, a Friend, a King. Walking with Him each day, through highs and lows, is the blessed life.

It’s the kind of life that can sing “It is well with my soul” even when storms hit, because it’s anchored in the blesser, not the blessings.

Let’s encourage each other to live with this warm, honest perspective. Some days you’ll feel on top of the world and can readily shout, “Thank You Lord for all these blessings!”

Other days you might only be able to whisper through tears, “God, I trust You. Show me the blessings in this; help me to hold on.”

Both are valid. This is where being part of a faith community helps – we remind one another of the truth when one’s vision is cloudy.

• To wrap up, living in blessing means living in awareness of God’s goodness. It means actively seeking His favor (which He’s eager to give), aligning ourselves with His will, and expecting His promises to come to pass.
• It means celebrating every good thing as a love-gift from Him and running to Him with every burden, knowing even those can become channels of grace.
• It means looking outward to see whom we can bless, joining God in His mission to spread blessing to all the families of the earth.

And ultimately, it means keeping our eyes on the horizon for that Day when the Lord says to us, “Well done… enter into the joy of your Lord” – the day every trial is behind us and we enter the fully unveiled Blessing of His presence forever.

You, dear believer, are blessed more than you may realize.

• Even if you’re going through a dark valley, God’s goodness and mercy are right there with you (Psalm 23:4,6).

Your cup will overflow in time – perhaps with unexpected blessings here, and for sure in the kingdom to come.

• Keep the faith, keep walking with the Blesser, and you’ll find “the Lord GOD is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11).

That’s a promise you can claim. And when you do receive His good things, big or small, take a moment to breathe a “thank You” and consider how you might pass it on. In doing so, you’re living out what it truly means to be blessed.

May you go forward today with a fresh sense of being blessed in Christ – and a resolve to be a blessing. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. Amen.

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Citations

Bible Verses: (All verses from the King James Version)

• Genesis 1:22 – “And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.”​quod.lib.umich.edu
• Genesis 12:2–3 – “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: And I will bless them that bless thee... and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”​bible.com
• Genesis 22:17–18 – “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven... And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”​quod.lib.umich.edu
• Genesis 24:60 – “And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.”​quod.lib.umich.edu
• Genesis 27:28–29 – “Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: Let people serve thee... cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.” (Isaac’s blessing to Jacob)​quod.lib.umich.edu
• Numbers 6:24–26 – “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”​bible.com
• Deuteronomy 28:2–6,8 – “And all these blessings shall come on thee... Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body... Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out... The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto.”​bible.com​bible.com
• Psalm 1:1–3 – “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly... But his delight is in the law of the LORD... And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper*.”*​bible.com
• Psalm 32:1–2 – “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.”​bible.com
• Proverbs 10:22 – “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”​biblegateway.com
• Luke 1:28 – “And the angel... said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”​biblegateway.com
• Luke 1:45 – “And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” (Elizabeth to Mary)​bible.com
• Luke 11:27–28 – “...A certain woman... said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee... But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”​biblia.com​biblia.com
• Matthew 5:3–12 – (The Beatitudes) “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. ... Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”​biblegateway.com​biblegateway.com
• Acts 3:25–26 – “...And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.”​bible.com
• Acts 20:35 – “...Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”​biblehub.com
• Galatians 3:13–14 – “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us... That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”​biblegateway.com
• Ephesians 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”​bible.com
• 1 Peter 3:9 – “Not rendering evil for evil... but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”​bible.com
• James 1:12 – “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”​biblehub.com (Note: “blessed” here is makarios, often rendered “happy” or “fortunate.”)
• Revelation 22:3 – “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.” (Final removal of the curse, implying full restoration of blessing.)

Definitions and Explanations:

• Hebrew “Barak” (to bless): Literally “to kneel,” indicating a posture of adoration or receiving. Used to mean giving praise or invoking God’s favor. “The Hebrew verb barak primarily means ‘to bless.’ ...The word can also imply the act of kneeling, associated with worship or showing reverence.”​biblehub.com In Scripture, God baraks (blesses) people – e.g. Genesis 1:28; people barak God – e.g. “Bless the LORD, O my soul” (Psalm 103:1, meaning praise); and people barak each other – e.g. Isaac blessing Jacob. It denotes filling someone with benefits or declaring good for them under God.
• Hebrew “Esher” (blessed, happy): A noun meaning happiness or blessedness, often used in wisdom literature. “Another Hebrew word for blessing is esher, which is also translated as happiness. ‘Blessed (esher) is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked...’ (Psalm 1:1). The importance of this kind of blessing lies in one’s relationship with God and walking in His ways.”​gotquestions.org​au.thegospelcoalition.org It describes the state of someone who lives righteously and enjoys God’s favor (e.g. “Blessed is the man whom God corrects...” Job 5:17).
• Greek “Makarios” (blessed): “Makarios carries the meaning of happiness... a deep, abiding joy and contentment that comes from a right relationship with God. It describes a believer in an enviable position of receiving God’s favor.”​biblehub.com​biblehub.com This is used in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5) and other places like “Blessed are you when men shall revile you”. It’s about spiritual prosperity more than material.
• Greek “Eulogeo” (to bless): “Eulogeo focuses on good words or the good report that others give... It literally means ‘to speak well of.’ It’s used for blessing God (praising), blessing food (giving thanks), and for God or people blessing others (invoking favor).”​biblehub.com​biblehub.com Example: “Jesus took bread and blessed it” (Matthew 26:26). It’s where we get the word “eulogy.” In Christian context, to bless someone often means to pray for God’s favor on them or to declare God’s goodness upon them.
• Blessing as Relationship: “God bestows blessing on those who are in harmony with Him. The theme of blessing is an indicator of a person’s relationship with God.”​au.thegospelcoalition.org In the Old Testament, being blessed was tied to being in covenant with God. When Israel obeyed, they experienced covenant blessings (protection, prosperity, etc.). When they disobeyed, they experienced the loss of those blessings (until repentance). Ultimately, Jesus embodies perfect harmony with the Father, and through Him we enter that harmony and blessing.
• Purpose of Blessing (OT Theology): “The Abrahamic promises seek to reverse the effects of the Fall and restore creation to the blessedness of Genesis 1. There is an escalation: (i) Abraham will be blessed, (ii) he will be a blessing, (iii) all the nations will receive blessing. Taken as a whole, the promises to Abraham are programmatic for the purposes of God – especially the purpose of blessing others.”​au.thegospelcoalition.org​au.thegospelcoalition.org In other words, God’s endgame was always to extend blessing universally, not keep it contained. Israel was a vehicle, not the final destination, for God’s blessing plan. This is fulfilled as the gospel goes to all nations.
• Ultimate Blessing in Christ: “The ultimate blessing that God has given is the new life and forgiveness that comes through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Material blessings are temporary, but the spiritual blessings in Christ encompass time and eternity.”​gotquestions.org All other blessings (health, success, family) are icing on the cake compared to the blessing of salvation. “Blessed is he whose hope is in the Lord his God” (Psalm 146:5) – that sums it up. Our relationship with God through Jesus is the fountainhead of every other blessing.

Additional Sources:

• GotQuestions.org, “What is a blessing according to the Bible? What does the Bible mean by bless?” – Explains the Hebrew and Greek terms and the idea that blessing in the Bible is about God’s provision and our state of joy when in right relation to Him​gotquestions.org​gotquestions.org​gotquestions.org. Emphasizes that the greatest blessing is new life in Christ.
• Paul Barker, “Blessing in the Old Testament: A Biblical Theology of Blessing (2)” (The Gospel Coalition Australia, 2015) – Discusses how the concept of blessing unfolds in Genesis and the Old Testament, including creation blessings and Abrahamic covenant​au.thegospelcoalition.org​au.thegospelcoalition.org. Highlights that God’s blessing indicates relationship and harmony with Him, and that the promise to Abraham was intended to spread blessing to all peoples (reversing the curse of the Fall).
• Paul Barker, “Blessing in the New Testament: A Biblical Theology of Blessing (3)” (TGCA, 2015) – Explores how Jesus brings blessing through suffering and how the New Testament reframes blessing (e.g., persecution for Christ’s sake is a blessing)​au.thegospelcoalition.org. Notes continuity from OT to NT in terms of suffering not negating blessedness but often being a context for it (1 Peter 4:14).
• Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon, entry for barak – Confirms barak means to bless and to kneel; used for invoking divine favor​biblehub.com.
• Strong’s Greek Lexicon, entry for makarios – Defines it as blessed, happy, spiritually prosperous; notes it refers to a position of favor with God, not dependent on circumstances​biblehub.com​biblehub.com.
• Strong’s Greek Lexicon, entry for eulogeo – Defines it as to speak well of, to bless, thank, or invoke benediction; corresponds to Hebrew barak​biblehub.com.

These verses and references underpin the points made in the post, illustrating the multifaceted concept of “blessing” from Genesis to Revelation and how believers can understand and live in God’s blessings today. Enjoy exploring them further as you meditate on God’s goodness in your own life!​gotquestions.org, gotquestions.org