Greetings to you in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! Now, first thing – “This is the day…not just ‘a day’, but the ‘day’ …that the Lord has made” and we “will” rejoice and be glad in it! I trust that you had a good weekend and Monday, with lots of delights to enjoy and talk about and I pray that God surrounded you with His presence in those moments when you needed to re-assured of His love and concern. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to release physical-emotional-spiritual-mental healing and refreshment.
One of life’s special treats for me is discovering a word or phrase that we use…and often overuse…that has a an alternate meaning to what we intended or thought we intended. Such was the case lately when I came across a series of possible meanings for the word: “blessing.” The word is from the Hebrew word “barak” ad it has six possible meanings and each one suggests a ‘sub-blessing’ – if you will.
First, it can mean to salute – as when a knight would raise the visor of his helmet so that you could see his face…an indication of friendly intentions by revealing one’s identity. It was a show of respect and even an openness to intimacy.
Second, it can mean to kneel-down, as you would to a child. It suggests getting on the same level with each other.
Third, it can mean to kiss on the mouth, a sign of affection, acceptance, forgiveness, and vulnerability. It can suggest betrayal, offering a second chance, the giving of life.
Fourth, ‘barak’ can mean to speak words of excellence about as in speaking well-timed words …”life and death are in the words we speak” and in speaking we assume the role of priest administering blessings or cursings. In another context it can mean to give testimony, to speak the truth about
Fifth, it can mean to make peace.
Sixth, ‘barak’ can mean to cause to prosper..and in the process of ‘getting’ we learn to be ‘givers’ .
This word is much more than simply understand what it means…it is about receiving all that is available through it: The LORD bless and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace – Numbers 6:24. Just think – the LORD reveal His identity to you-kneel down to your level,breathe his life into you, speak well of you-grant you peace-cause you to prosper so you assist others. What a unique “blessing!
Just a little something to think about … be blessed!