The Italian Memorandum

“Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel”

(1 Chronicles 29:10)

Christians should bear in mind that they are recipients of the gospel plan of salvation which came through Abraham (Gal. 3:14,29; Rom. 11:18). Gentiles (non-Jews), therefore, share in the rich history and scriptural foundations of Israel (Rom. 15:4,27). The Hebrew blessings are a part of this illustrious heritage.

The Hebrew Blessings are precisely that-blessings which come through the Hebrew language and theological format (Gen. 14:13; 40:15; Ex. 3:15,18). The apostle Paul is an example of how this Hebrew style was perpetuated through the centuries (Acts 22:2; Phil. 3:5). Modifications and deviations from this were noted as pejorative (negative) according to Nehemiah 13:23-24. While the gospel has no one accepted language today (Acts 10:46), we are privileged, indeed, to have access to the Hebrew blessings.

The Hebrew Blessings often appear in simple Hebraic words: brief, pointed, and powerful. These attest to the God of heaven as Daniel 2:19-20 records-“Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said: Blessed be the name of God forever and ever…”

-Robert M. Housby

banal – commonplace; trivial; trite; hackneyed.

(Webster’s New Universal Dictionary, Unabridged, p. 145)

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High / Possessor of heaven and earth; and bless God Most High…”

(Genesis 14:19,20)

On the subject of blessings, David wrote: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, Bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…Bless the Lord, all his work, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!” (Psalm 103:1,2,22). Blessings are meant to be acknowledged:

1. Theologically – “Bless the LORD” (Ps. 103:1)

2. Personally – “my soul” (Ps. 103:1,2)

3. Emotionally – “O my soul” (Ps. 103:1,2,22)

4. Completely – “and all that is within me” (Ps. 103:1)

5. Invitational – “in all places of his dominion” (Ps. 103:22)

In Genesis 12:1-3, we find The Seven Blessings of Abram. Notice the phrase: “I will…” throughout this passage. This is the God of Abram; and these “I will” statements are the avowed course of action of this God. And, the greatest of these is the gospel interjection: “In you shall all the nations be blessed” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith” (Galatians 3:8,9,26).

There is no banality in the gospel. Dismiss your slang blahs today!

-Robert M. Housby