The Prophetic Word (Ephesians 1:3; Genesis 25:60; 27:28-29; 32:28; 49:1-27)

EPHESIANS 1:3 says, "Blessed (be) the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly (places) in Christ.."

ITALICIZED

The words that are italicized, are not in the original text. The translators added the words, in an attempt to bring clarity to the text, which is helpful, in a lot of cases, but not in every instance, as sometimes the added words can actually distort the intended meaning.

NEW PERSPECTIVE

Sometimes, we have read, and re-read, a portion of scripture so often, or a passage of scripture has been taught frequently, among our religious circles, to such an extent, that we come with our religious bias and preconceived ideas, to the point, that we shut out the voice of the Spirit who is trying to bring fresh revelation, and a new perspective, on something we assumed we knew.

REVELATION

To the extent that we receive revelation, in an area of our life; to that extent, we will walk in the freedom of the truth of the scriptures, realizing, that revelation is not some new insight, but it is the (epignosis) of God [spiritual knowledge that transforms our behavior to conformity to the truth of the Word].

SPEAKING GOOD

There is one word used in 3 different forms, in this text. The word is from the root (eulog), which is a combination of two words: (eu), "good", or "well", and (lego), "to speak". The meaning, is "to speak good", or "to speak well", of someone. It is where we derive the English word, "eulogy" from, which usually renders images of someone speaking about all the good things; memories; etc., of someone, recited at their funeral. Though the imagery is not that positive, the concept of speaking good about someone can readily be understood from that visual example, for anyone who has attended such a funeral.

VARIOUS FORMS

To see the various forms of this word, the text reads, "Blessed (eulogetos)...the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed (eulogeo) us with all spiritual blessings (eulogia), in the heavenlies, in Christ".

HEBREW

Prior to giving definition to these words, we must understand, that NT words are shaped and defined by OT concepts, so that no word ultimately stands on its own, but is a reflection of the Hebrew usage that provides its origin.

"TO BLESS"

The Hebrew word "to bless", is (baruk). The OT word meant 'happiness; success; prosperity; an increase of earthly possessions; and power to accomplish'. It was often seen in the traditional prophetic enduement of authority and power, from a father "blessing", or "speaking good" things over his children, prior to his passing, to insure their success and prosperity, or simply of prophetic words spoken over another concerning their future.

REBEKAH:

Her brother and mother pronounced blessing on her.

"Be the mother of thousands of millions, and let your seed possess the gate of those who hate them" (Gen.25:60). [possessing the gate of one's enemy meant that you ruled over the city that they lived in, controlling the traffic that went in and out of their city].

JACOB:

The prophetic word was so strong, from a father to an heir, that Rebekah manipulated events, to have Jacob, instead of Esau, receive the blessing, the right of the firstborn.

"...God give you the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine: let the people serve you, and nations bow down to you: be lord over your brothers, and let your mother's sons bow down to you: cursed be everyone that curses you, and blessed be everyone that blesses you" (Gen.27:28-29).

JACOB:

Jacob would not let the man go, that he wrestled with, until he blessed him.

"...your name shall be called no more, Jacob, but Israel [He who has authority with God]; for as a prince, you have power with God and with men, and have prevailed" (Gen.32:28).

12 TRIBES of ISRAEL:

Jacob blessed his sons, and pronounced prophetic words over them determining their future. (Gen.49:1-27)

ENDUEMENT of POWER & AUTHORITY to SUCCEED

The "blessing" was 'the enduement of power and authority, to succeed', and it prophetically pronounced the future. The key concept to understand, is that the "blessing" was given, through words spoken over the recipient. God, our Father, has sealed our prophetic future, by speaking good things, always, concerning us. We are "blessed", by the words spoken over us, that cause us to succeed and prosper, in every area of life!

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours