In the New Testament a "blessing" we offer to a loved one is basically a prayer of encouragement for them.
2127 eulogeo is a verb used 44 times in the New Testament that means: "to praise [your loved one], to celebrate [them] with praises [that] invoke [God's] blessings and consecrate [your loved one] with solemn prayers [that] ask God"s blessing on [your loved one] to cause [them] to prosper, to make [them] happy, to bestow blessings [that they be] favored by God."[1]
Old Testament Blessings
One of the key descriptions of how God wanted His people blessed comes from the instructions to the priests. In the Jewish community the priests were the public servants, they inspected for disease, they protected the food supply, housing, dealt with domestic issues, and of course represented the people to God. In the New Testament we are to all be priests, and in a real sense, we are called like them to bless those around us.
GET BIBLE NOTES
Numbers 6:23-27 (NIV) "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: ""'The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."' "So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."
Numbers 6:23-27 (NKJV) "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: "The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The
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Pastor John Barnett has been devouring the Word of God for over 30 years. John, now the teaching pastor of Calvary Bible Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan has served congregations in Oklahoma, New England, Georgia and California. He also served on the Faculty of the Master's College...
