BLESSED - ARE YOU?

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.: Matthew 5:3 (CSB)

Let’s start by understanding the keyword used in this passage.

Blessed

This word appears 9 times in this opening passage. The Greek word 'makarioi' is an adjective which occurs approximately 50 times in the Greek New Testament and is defined by the lexicographers as meaning: "blessed, happy." Vincent maintains: "Its root is supposed to be a word meaning great, and its earlier meaning appears to be limited to outward prosperity; so that it is used at times as synonymous with rich." In ancient Greek times, makarios referred to the gods. The blessed ones were the gods. Finally, in Greek usage, makarios came to refer to the elite, the upper crust of society, the wealthy people. It referred to people whose riches and power put them above the normal cares and problems and worries of the lesser folk -- the peons, who constantly struggle and worry and labor in life.

Hebrew word is ‘esher.  In the Septuagint (Greek) translation of the OT they used this same word – mararioi. When this word, makarios was used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament, it took on another meaning.  It referred to the results of right living or righteousness.

If you lived right, you were blessed. Being blessed meant you received earthly, material things: a good wife, many children, abundant crops, riches, honor, wisdom, beauty, good health, etc.

Basically, it means to be well off, to be rich, to be happy, to be better off than others.

The Book of Psalms starts off with the phrase – “Blessed is the man….” Maybe Jesus is teaching His followers purposely starting with something familiar and builds upon it.

It had a three-step warning –

·      Walk not –  Hebrew word means to move along or a manner of life. In the counsel (advice, purpose) of the wicked. Here one is listening to the advice for a lifestyle that is outside of God’s direction

·      Stand not – Hebrew word means to tarry, to remain, to be steadfast. In the path (course of life, moral character). Here, the person has stopped and is taking on the moral character of one who lives outside of God’s direction.

·      Sit not – Hebrew word means to dwell or have one’s abode. In the dwelling place of boasters and those who show contempt. Here, the person has taken up permanent residence with the ones who show contempt for God and His directions.

Psalm 1 paints a picture of how one is blessed when they do not follow the slippery slope into feeling one does not need God.

The world is constantly looking for how it can be richer, have more, etc.

When Jesus uses this word – he begins to show his followers that God’s view of being blessed is upside down from the world’s view. Maybe the reason the world is never satisfied is that it is to paraphrase a country/western song “looking for [happiness] in all the wrong places.”

Where are you looking for your happiness and blessing? The world – or God? Really?