A Father’s Blessing - Obedience
The blessing of a father is a huge part of our Christian life. One important part you and I play in receiving the blessing of the Lord (our Father) is our obedience. I believe it is possible that many will miss out on the benefits of Jesus Christ Who died on the cross that we may be partakers of His divine nature. He clearly said in John 10:10 that He came to give life and that life more abundantly.
Deut. 11:26-27 GWT “Today I’m giving you the choice of a blessing or a curse. You’ll be blessed if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I’m giving you today.”
As we choose a life style of obedience both to the Word of God and His delegated authority in our life, we will begin to experience blessing beyond measure. Eph. 3:20 KJV “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
The Bible tells us that “to obey is better than sacrificing the fat of rams”. The sacrifice of different offerings had their place in the past and was significant in the relationship between God and man; however the Lord is much more pleased with obedience flowing out of love.
Obedience to God is moral duty, constantly and indispensably necessary; but sacrifice is but a ceremonial institution. (Wesley commentary)
Disobedience has adverse affects on our life. King Saul lost his kingship because of impatient disobedience. He tried to excuse his sin of disobedience by offering a sacrifice. It is better to obey as we can see from the life of Abraham also.
Genesis 12:1-3
“Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
The name of Abraham’s father was Terah which means “a desert place” and the land in which he lived was called Haran which means “parched”. It appears to me that Abraham was living in an unproductive, difficult place until the word of the Lord came with instructions. We need a word from God to change some mind sets, lifestyles, etc. in order to move into the expectations or the intent of God for our life.
The very next verse tell us that Abraham begin to obey the Lord. He did get up and leave his country, but he allowed Lot to go with him when the Lord had told him to leave his kindred as well as his father’s house and his country. It appears that shortly after the separation of Lot and Abraham that the Lord begins to make his promise to Abraham come to pass.
Genesis 13:14-17 “And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Arise; walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.”
Our obedience unto the Lord always results in the promises of God becoming a reality in our life.
Let’s not confuse ourselves by thinking that we are obedient to or are in submission to the Lord when we are only in agreement with what we think is right. Obedience is tested when we disagree. Obedience begins when you or I disagree with God or His delegated representative (a spiritual father) in our life.
Obedience is not an ugly word, but when you understand its significance in our relationship with the Lord it is a beautiful thing. And most importantly the Lord is pleased.
Our obedience is necessary to releasing the intent and the expectations of God.
The Hebrew word for blessing is BARAK which means to “speak God’s intentions”.
The Greek word for blessing is EULOIGA which means “to speak larger of, to speak well of, to speak God’s intention and favor of someone.”
One of the most powerful influences of a father is the release of the blessing. One of the two significant aspects of our life that receives the blessing of a father is our obedience and the other is our willingness to tithe and be givers.
Watch for the next blog which will cover the subject of tithing and giving.
