How Blessed - Part 1 (Israel)

"How blessed is/are ...!" This interjection occurs in twenty-two verses in Psalms, referring to happiness or blessedness. Another word commonly indicating blessing means "to kneel, praise, or salute." Most often used of people toward God,  inexplicably God also uses it of His actions toward people.

Among the various reasons for God's blessing, God reserves special blessing for Israel. Perhaps none of my readers fit this category, but even the study of God's blessing of Israel is insightful.

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom He has chosen for His inheritance" (Psalm 33:12). The verse refers primarily to Israel as a national entity. God's unique blessing of Israel has little to do with them and much to do with God. Israel is blessed because the LORD is their God.

Blessing does not come to nations because Allah is their god or Buddha or idols, but only when Jehovah is their God. There is no other nation in history for whom this is more true than for Israel; their foundation, history, development, and future hinge on this relationship. The blessing comes because of the relationship established by God when He formed that nation. Blessing increased when they actually followed God, but God's blessing was somewhat independent of their faithfulness.

The second part of the verse reveals the reason for the independent aspect of God's blessing. Israel didn't choose God; He chose them. Ultimately, no nation or individual deserves God's blessing. The blessing comes because of who God is.

"How blessed are the people who are so situated; how blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!" (144:15). David refers to Israel's potential blessed situation, describing strong young people, abundant produce, plentiful flocks, and peaceful streets. The reason for the blessing is simply because the LORD is their God. They are God's people, chosen by Him, having a relationship established by Him. God's blessing, revealed in David's descriptions, is real and meaningful. When God blesses, He really does. Not claiming such blessings as current reality or foregone expectations, David is actually praying for them to happen. Logically, then, some blessing could come because people pray for it.

"Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; be their shepherd also, and carry them forever" (28:9). David again prays for God's blessing on Israel, again because they are God's inheritance. While no specific blessings are mentioned, David prays for God to be their shepherd and carry them forever. It would indeed be a blessing to have God's tender and thorough care, meeting every need, helping the weak, and taking the responsibility to care for them always.

"The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace" (29:11). This psalm about God's voice repeatedly refers to David's kingdom. It also declares God to be the eternal king; as such, He does the actions of this verse, giving the blessings of strength and peace. Strength probably refers to social and political strength, indicating dominance that demands notice and respect as a nation. Peace likely refers both to quietness and contentment within the country as well as tranquility in relation to other countries. Both these blessings are stated as future fact; the LORD will do them. Israel has had a measure of these throughout their history, but there is also an aspect to which they are still waiting, especially for the peace.

"For those blessed by Him will inherit the land, but those cursed by Him will be cut off" (37:22). While certainly applicable to any of God's people, the references to inheriting the land create a strong link to Israel, who was the original audience. The verse presents a contrast between those who are blessed and those who are cursed. The difference is between the righteous and the wicked, a contrast highlighted frequently in the psalm. Basically, the righteous receive God's blessing, but the wicked are cursed by Him.

The results are a stark contrast. The blessed ones will inherit the land, seeing the fulfillment of promises and receiving the inheritance intended for them. The cursed will be cut off and destroyed; they will die without seeing the blessing. Even within Israel, this distinction was possible. Overall, the nation was under His blessing. Individually, even wicked people would experience some of the corporate effect of blessing, but would forfeit a measure of personal blessing if they did not follow Jehovah faithfully.

"The LORD has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron" (115:12). The house of Israel and Aaron (see also vs. 9-10) is the recipient of this blessing. While the blessing is apparently independent of Israel's action, Israel is called on to trust and fear the LORD. The power behind the blessing is the one true God. The psalm describes false gods - powerless, not able to speak, not able to see, not able to hear, not able to smell, not able to feel, not able to walk, not able to make noise. All who trust in such gods will not receive blessing. Unlike gods who can't perceive their followers, God does see and act. He is mindful of His children, and when He remembers them, He blesses them.

"The LORD bless you from Zion, and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life" (128:5). This psalm reveals three specific blessings for Israel: consistent prosperity of the homeland, personal longevity of life, and national peace. With the blessing emanating from Zion, where Christ will rule during the millennium, this likely refers to the blessing of the millennial reign. There remains yet future blessing for these people who are so special to God.

These verses, while focusing on Israel, reveal that God's blessing is undeserved, that true blessing comes only from the Almighty God, that it is especially reserved for the righteous, and that it can be the result of answered prayer.