1) Blessed Happiness
As many seek happiness, and they survey people to use perceptions of it to compare nations, we thought to look into why the people who have the Bible in their lives (and in the lives of their nations) are happier than others.
The Bible does not emphasise the seeking of happiness as an end in itself. The word 'happiness' does not once occur in the King James translation, and happy only 28 times. The word in Hebrew translated happy is 'asher' אשׁר more often translated blessed. The word 'asher' whether translated blessed or happy only occurs 45 times. The Greek makarios sometimes translated happy but mostly translated blessed occurs 50 times. Yet every occurrence is a pearl of wisdom...and hope.
Blessing of the faithful
In arguably the most famous sermon ever delivered, Jesus (in Hebrew pronounced Yeshua) said
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matt 5:3-12)
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. (Luke 7:23)
You will notice that the whole cuts across received wisdom. No person will face a world without enemies and people who slander and revile. This rejoicing in hope is the only defence in a tough world.
Blessing of Wisdom
There would be few who would disagree that:
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. (Proverbs 3:13)
However would people agree that true wisdom must begin in fear, awe and reverence?
Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. (Pro 8:32)
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.(Pro 8:34-35)
Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. (Pro 28:14)
Where is the beginning of wisdom? The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:5-6)
National Happiness - Blessing
All nations historically struggle to maintain peace against expansionist neighbours, or separatists. Peace is a blessing.
Happy (blessed) art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shall tread upon their high places. (Deuteronomy 33:29)
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. (Psalm 33:12)
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever: Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners: The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous: The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.(Psalm 146:5-10)
Peace of victory brings economic prosperity,
It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword. Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. (Psalm 144:10-15)
Wise leadership brings national good
Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! (Ecclesiastes 10:17)
This is observed by the Queen of Sheba
I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice. (1Kings 10:7-9 also 2 Chron 9:7)
In a nation led and blessed by Yahweh Elohim in doing his ways there is heritage of children & children in turn are blessed
A Song of degrees. Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel. (Psalm 128:1-6)
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:3-5)
A wise father leads to happy children
The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. (Proverbs 20:7)
Blessing of hope of the Torah
Many who read the following proverb may missome of what it says:
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law (Torah), happy (blessed) is he. (Proverbs 29:18)
To keep the Torah is not about doing things, but rather to 'guard, protect, observe and watch' it! Now we can see why 'watching' the Torah is coupled with 'vision'! What vision?
The Torah is the first 5 books: the books of Moses, of which Y'shua said “For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? (John 5:46-47)
Moses words, the Torah, are full of promises to the fathers of Israel related to their eternal redemption, and therefore full of hope to watch for! They are a vision splendid of eternal life!
To emphasise, remarkably 'the law' is a
guide to watching the past, present and future events about us, containing a wonderful vision!
Blessing in doing the law
In addition there is a blessing in finding a good way in life:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2)
Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
(Psa 106:3)
Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: .(Psalm 112:1-4)
ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. (Psalm 119:1-2)
But he (Y'shua) said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. (Luke 11:28)
The promise of good of watching the law, and keeping it, is given even to the strangers and Eunuchs
Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil (Isaiah 56:1-2)
The law includes provisions for looking after the poor.
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. (Proverbs 14:21)
But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. (Luke 14:13-14)
Happy are those who trust
Trust is an active decision, that goes with a set of actions including seeking truth:
Blessed is that man that makes the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. (Psalm 40:4)
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. (Proverbs 16:20)
Trust is found in a reciprocal experiment: you have to try and 'have a go' at trusting, to know Elohim's actions to help you.
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. (Psalm 34:8-9)
Then we are asked to trust in the Son of God,
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. (Psalm 2:2-4)
Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. (Psalm 2:10-12)
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because
thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not
seen, and yet have believed. (John 20:29)
Discipline of a Father
For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. (Pro 3:12)
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: (Job 5:17)
Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; (Psa 94:12)
Forgiveness and grace
A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is
forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD
imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. (Psalm
32:1-2)
Blessed is the man to whom
the Lord will not impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the
circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that
faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. (Romans 4:8-9)
Grace is a reciprocal relationship of waiting:
And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. (Isaiah 30:18)
Wait
for what? The answer to all prayer and all questions..
For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee. (Isaiah 30:19)
There is a great blessing in being “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1Peter 2:9-10)
Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea: (Psalm 65:4-5)
Judgement: Jerusalem vs Babylon
We are not to rejoice in the down fall of anyone..even if no less than God caused their downfall, because if we love destruction it will come back on us, and people will be happy to do it – to us. Thus the fate of Edom and Babylon, neither who exist now.
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof. O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones. (Psalm 137:5-9)
The blessing of those who Watch see the last days: 1967!
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. (Luke 12:37) We should look up for our redemption draws nigh- has ever a generation been so blessed.
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. (Daniel 12:4,12)
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Rev 1:3)
Blessing the hope of the promise to Abraham
The word for the blessing of Abraham is not asher, or happy but barak kneel in praise, salute, thanks. This is reflected in Paul's comments where he uses the Greek word eneulogeō, to confer benefit, writing “The scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” (Galations 3:8-9)
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. (Genesis 12:1-3)
Blessing of the hope of the promised son of David: Psalm 89
Many miss the significance of the proclamation at the birth of Jesus (Hebrew pronounced Yeshua) that he was the promised son of David, the Messiah / king.
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens. I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah. (Psalm 89:1-4)
Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted. For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king. Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people. I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him: With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him. (Psalm 89:14-21)
There is a blessing at the core of the promise of a truly great king, the son of Yahweh Elohim!
But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted. I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers. He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
The blessing is an eternal promise of mercy and forgiveness to the 'sons' of the Firstborn.
His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven. If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
(Psalm 89:24-37)
Glory the Blessing of Righteous Rule of the Kingdom of God
Behold, a king shall reign in
righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. And a man shall be
as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as
rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a
weary land. And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the
ears of them that hear shall hearken. The heart also of the rash
shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be
ready to speak plainly. The vile person shall be no more called
liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful. (Isaiah 32:1-5)
And the work of righteousness shall be
peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for
ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in
sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places; When it shall hail,
coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place.
Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth
thither the feet of the ox and the ass. (Isaiah 32:17-20)
Blessed
and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the
second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of
Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
(Revelation
20:6)
Looking forward to Dwelling in the Holy Temple: Psalm 84
The Bible offers the assurance of blessing and a kind of happiness that cannot ever be found elsewhere. Those that seek happiness find it elusive. The truth is that there is no blessing found in the here and now, as the blessing of happiness is the hope now of dwelling in perfected eternal good, in the near future.
How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth,
yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh
crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house,
and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even
thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed
are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee.
Selah. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose
heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca
make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from
strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a
doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of
wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give
grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk
uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth
in thee. (Psalm 84:1-12)
