Practice: Encourage 6.3 - February 21, 2010

The Blessing
Practice #6.3 - Encourage

Introduction: No matter what our age, our parents’ approval or lack o f approval affects the way we view ourselves and how we act with those we love most.

Genesis 27:18-29 (New International Version)
He went to his father and said, "My father." "Yes, my son," he answered. "Who is it?" Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game so that you may give me your blessing." Isaac asked his son, "How did you find it so quickly, my son?" "The LORD your God gave me success," he replied. Then Isaac said to Jacob, "Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know whether you really are my son Esau or not." Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, "The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau." He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he blessed him. "Are you really my son Esau?" he asked. "I am," he replied. Then he said, "My son, bring me some of your game to eat, so that I may give you my blessing." Jacob brought it to him and he ate; and he brought some wine and he drank. Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come here, my son, and kiss me." So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said,
"Ah, the smell of my son
is like the smell of a field
that the LORD has blessed.
May God give you of heaven's dew
and of earth's richness—
an abundance of grain and new wine.
May nations serve you
and peoples bow down to you.
Be lord over your brothers,
and may the sons of your mother
bow down to you.
May those who curse you be cursed
and those who bless you be blessed."

The Blessing is a critical part of healthy emotional and spiritual development.

Jewish belief about blessings . . .

Luke 10:5-6 (New International Version)
When you enter a house, first say, “Peace to this house.” If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.
Even Jesus believed that blessings have the power to change a culture.

5 Parts to the Blessing:
1. Meaningful touch!
Isaac kissed Jacob and touched him.
Luke 4:40 (New International Version)
When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.

2. Tell them how special they are!
John 1:14 (New International Version)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Proverbs 3:27-28 (New International Version)
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"— when you now have it with you.

See also: James 1, Ephesians 5:25-26, II Timothy 3:3

3. Tell them how much you love them!
Deuteronomy 31:6-8 (New International Version)
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

4. Tell them how God will use them!
When Jacob is ready to die, he calls his sons together and blesses all 12. Some got really amazing blessings, and some got pretty insignificant blessings. All of the blessings spoken came true. (See Genesis 49)

5. Commit to them to always be there!
Commit to their individual needs.
Genesis 49:28 (New International Version)
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him.

Conclusion: The Blessing