The Un-Beatitude
“Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:34 NASB
Blessed – If you turn to the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, you will find that each one begins with the Greek word makarioi. This word should not be translated “blessed are” since it is not a verb and it does not carry with it the idea of some favor bestowed on another. As I have pointed out in my book, The Lucky Life, this word is about a state of bliss brought about by the actions of men. It is a description of the condition of a person, not a formula for receiving some spiritual blessing. But when we come to Yeshua’s statement about the final judgment, we don’t find the word makarioi. Instead, we find eulogemenoi (from the verb eulogeo). The change is important. The implications are entirely different than those found in the normal “blessed are” statements. The problem, of course, is that you don’t even see a hint at the difference when you read the Bible in English.
Eulogeo is specifically associated with the act of showing favor toward someone else. In the first century, this is typified by the action of a king toward one of his subjects. The king represents power. He has the authority to grant or remove privileges or rewards. In this verse, Yeshua uses this well-known fact about kings and kingdoms to describe the action taken by the absolute sovereign at the Final Judgment. Since eulogeo is the standard Greek translation of the Hebrew barak, it is often associated with God’s favor. In this case, the grace and goodness of God is exhibited in the selection of the righteous to eternal reward. Because the word eulogeo is connected to the Hebrew barak, we recognize that Yeshua undoubtedly used barak when He spoke these words, and that means that He employed a verb that implies that God is the only source of true favor; i.e., that abundant life depends entirely on God’s goodness and faithfulness.
This means that we must look to the Tanakh in order to understand what Yeshua meant, and when we look to the use of barak as an action of God in the Tanakh, we discover that context of the Tanakh is built on the idea that God is the only one who can grant life. The Tanakh clearly states that He is willing to give life to all who trust in Him. But that trust is demonstrated in faithful loyalty to Him. In other words, barak is commonly associated with hesed and ‘emet. Favor is not indiscriminate. While the invitation to enjoy God’s favor knows no boundaries, the resulting reward requires reciprocal action. Eulogeo follows obedience.
Consider the implications of the connection between eulogeo and barak and the statement at the end of this verse. All of this was prepared “before the foundation of the world.” This means that the relationship between invitation and reciprocal obedience has been in place since the beginning. It didn’t change when Yeshua was born. It wasn’t altered on the cross. It’s exactly the same connection found in Abraham and in Paul. This un-Beatitude is eternal. And it will still be in place when the Final Judgment occurs. The only question left is this: how do YOU connect eulogeo with hesed and ‘emet in your life? If God’s blessing after the Judgment marries hesed and ’emet, is your walk preparing for the wedding?
Topical Index: eulogeo, makarios, blessed, barak, hesed, ‘emet, Matthew 25:34
I am in the middle of SAVORING your book, The Lucky Life. I have to say that, as a person disabled with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (rapid onset, no known cause, no known cure), this book is PROFOUND and so very comforting in regard to human suffering. As soon as I finish it, I will read it again and again. It is GOOD MEDICINE! I highly recommend it to everyone.
Thank you so very much, Skip. Keep seeking the ONE TRUE ALMIGHTY GOD and sharing what He shows you!
I will not be buying the book “The Lucky Life” if only because of the title. I do not believe in luck but in God’s providence. Providence BTW, includes the good, the bad and the ugly.. – it all comes from Him. God is large and He is in charge-not only the stars, but right down to the sparrows and further still to the very hairs on every head. Not a blade of grass or a whisker on a cat moves without His knowing. Our Father is no absentee-landlord, but it very present and “with us” in our every day, every moment lives..
I am “blessed” to know this, yes, experientially- He is now, today, intricately and intimately involved in our existence and cares deeply for our “shalom”- our well-being. This is glorious! And for me, very “weighty”- knowing He is ever near and listening intently. ~ Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all ~ (Psalm 139.4) How’s your thought life? ~ Bringing into captivity “every thought” to the obedience of Christ? ~ That is one tall order!
~ Christ was not literally crucified before the foundation of the world, but the Master’s “plan” was in place, for God sees the end from the beginning and plans accordingly. Adam’s sin was no surprise to God and Calvary was not “plan B”. Calvary was shadowed in the Old Covenant and became substance in the New Covenant. The blood of bulls and goats could never atone for sin but “rolled” every thing forward for another year until the final Sacrifice, Calvary’s Lamb was slain. This my friends, was the final Sacrifice. Temple priests, you are now officially out of business- no more sacrifices are necessary. ~ He has by one Sacrifice (the Sacrifice of Himself) perfected forever them that are sanctified ~ (Hebrews 10.14)
~ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. ~ (From 1 Peter chapter 1)
The flame shall not hurt thee, I only design
Thy dross to remove, and thy gold to refine
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie
My grace all sufficient shall be thy supply
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent Hand
I remember Carl when the LORD first delivered me from myself to dependence upon HIM; I had a Pastor who told me about `LUCK`.
He said look at the first letters of Lucifer …I did ..and I never used that word after that. It is funny how things stay with you in order for you to know that we are to use biblical words instead of the world`s way. I am still such a learner and have much ground to cover.. but am headed in the right direction.
But Carol, isn’t that the point and thrust of this entire blog, words? We have convinced ourselves that the translated English words are biblical when they, in fact, may or may NOT be. I think we have positioned some people’s choice of words as translations proper of Hebrew words and thoughts have largely missed the boat, so to speak, and resulted in misleading and false representations of what the original authors intentions were.
It takes extra effort to use the word “gay” these days to have it mean something other than the common high jacked vernacular. So do I just throw that word away and devalue it or struggle to resurrect the meaning it once had and rest comfortably in its proper use again? It’s a battle and struggle to do. But, I think, worth the effort. Don’t you?
Hi Carl,
I’m sorry to hear that you won’t by The Lucky Life just because of the title. Perhaps if you realized that makarios (the Greek word that opens all the Beatitudes) does not mean “Blessed are” but rather “Oh how fortunate, how lucky” you would change your mind. Deciding not to buy a book about the meaning of Yeshua’s words in Matthew 5 simply because of your culture’s association with “luck” isn’t a very good reason, in my opinion. Especially since you know the author.
Are “blessed” and “lucky” the same thing?
No, “blessed” is in a class all by itself. “Blessed” by Who? We have received “unmerited favor” from Someone far greater than ourselves.
Would you say Mephibosheth (who was lame in both his feet) was one “lucky” guy to sit a David’s table and to feast on the riches of his grace? No, not at all! Why did Mephiboseth sit at the King’s table? He “providentially” was born into the right family- and was a recipient “for Jonathan’s sake” of the King’s favor. David showed “grace” towards Mephiboseth (and actually sought him out) because of the blood covenant-relationship of friendship he made with Jonathon, King Saul’s son.
Then David said, “Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9.1)
Here is one of our “favorite” words. It is the wonderful Bible word “chesed” or “loving-kindness” and it is a blood-covenant word as witnessed here in the blood-covenant relationship of friendship between David and Jonathan, the son of Saul.
Long story short(?), – let us “fast-forward” several millenia to these words: ~ “This is the New Covenant in my blood, drink all of it ~ This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed in exchange for the many for the release of sins ~ (Matthew 26.28)
We, who are now His, “bought with a price,” have entered into another blood-covenant relationship with the very Son of God by faith in His blood, shed for us on Calvary’s tslav, the execution stake. Yeshua HaMashiach has invited “whosoever will” to come (by faith) and partake of His sufferings. His was a substitutionary death, one that should have by all rights, been mine. Christ died for sinners, and as I fully qualify for this, I am included in “who” Christ died for,- He died, my friends, for me. (yes, and for you too!). ~ Because God SO loved the world.. ~ very inclusive. But “whosoever will” also would include “whosoever won’t”- there are those among us human creatures who refuse to believe, who “willingly-knowingly” reject our Master and Messiah. (He came unto His own and (strangely) His own received Him not!) Even though, the scriptures state ~ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved ~(Acts 4.12) or the words and witness of one “Shimeon Kaypha” (Simon Peter) who answered and said, ~ “My LORD, to whom shall we go? You (only) have the words of eternal life.” ~ (John 6.68). And then we also have the words of our own Master who said unto Martha,- ~ “Indeed, everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” ~ (John 11.26). (I would love to know what Martha’s response to the Messiah was!)
No, I do not believe in “luck..” I believe (and trust and rely on) the faithfulness and rock-solid veracity of the word of God. My “confession” is that of Peter (Shimeon Kaypha) who answered, “You are The Messiah, The Son of THE LIVING GOD”. And I would now “modify” that confession of Peter to add this- “You are (today) the LIVING Messiah, God the (now resurrected and forever reigning) Son!!
I would ask, “What is His Name?” – and the answer would be “Emmanuel,” God (is now) with us. Do I believe in “luck?” No, I believe in a very present and very powerful and very compassionate and very understanding God, who I am exceedingly abundantly privileged to call “ABBA-Father!!” I believe in the life-giving word(s) of God that wonderfully proclaims: ~ Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. ~
“Luck” my friend is way too random. Is God “random” is anything He says or does? No, not one bit. Is He or is He not “LORD” of all? LORD of “both” the living and of the dead.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him,
and He will make your paths straight.
We do not trust in “something” (“luck or fate or even karma”), but we (who belong to Him) now trust in SomeOne-
~ And those who know your Name put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You..~ (Psalm 9.10)
Luck or Providence? Re-read the story of Ruth and watch His amazing “Providence” unfold.. Now turn around and “behold” the providence of the Giver of every good and perfect gift, do for you the very same thing He did for Ruth.
~ and my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus! ~ for He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all- how shall He not with Him, also freely give us all things? ~ (all things that pertain unto life and godliness) ~ For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations! ~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdO2cRXVHII
Blessed (lucky?-no way) is the Name of the LORD!!
We (all) have this promise from the One who is incapable of a lie:
~ You will seek Me and find Me when you (intentionally and intently, willingly and knowingly) search for Me with all your heart ~ (Jeremiah 29.13)
May I provide a hint as to where to find Him? (where to look?)
~ He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God ~ (Revelation 19.13)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdO2cRXVHII
If you read the book you would realize that there are two Hebrew words translated “blessed” in English. They are not the same and they do not take the same subjects. Confusing them leads to all kinds of exegetical errors. But that is all in the book.
In Romans 4, Paul uses the noun makarismon (blessedness) in the apparent context of favor–one is blessed when God credits one with righteousness “apart from works” which appears to connect one’s blessing with a bestowal of favor. See Romans 4:6. How does this square with the assertion that makarioi does not imply favor?
check the Greek lexicon rather than the translation of Romans 4. You will find that makarioi is not the same root as the group under eu- and that “bless” is not an appropriate translation. Favor in the sense of a state of gladness might be appropriate but not like being given a blessing that you then retain. You will need some Hebrew background here as well.
Re-reading this entire post for this particular day highlighted how slippery words can be and the mind boggling array of different translations and understandings that can result. It also reveals the huge influence of the paradigm on our thinking. We are right there with Adam and Havvah in the garden. It seems paradigms come with thick walls that aren’t easily torn down or altered.
Lucky us!
I recall reading that the word luck is actually the name of a pagan god and the use of the word itself originated in the expression (or something close to it) “One for you, one for me, and one for luck” – “luck” being a reference to the aforementioned pagan god. I actually think that this is one more way that the enemy coerces us to break Torah – specifically the admonishment to NOT take the name of foreign gods on our lips. How many words that we casually use, with no intention of invoking false gods, are actually the names of false gods? I can understand the objection to the use of the word, however, I wouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater (at least in terms of Skip’s book or other such references.) Walking in Torah needs to be a progression, the first step being acknowledgement of where the deception lies.
As I write this I find it interesting that Carl’s post would have so vehemently stated his refusal to purchase a book based on a word in the title, yet at other times his posts seem to indicate that all sin is “covered by the blood” anyway. His post IS a few years old now. I wonder if his position on purchasing the book may have changed since then. I find it interesting which hills we choose to plant our flags on and defend. I know that I have abandoned several hills that I formerly defended. I feel like I abandon a different hill almost every week lately. I would love to abandon the use of foreign gods names, but I really don’t know how I would function in society. Just the days of the week and the names of the months would create issues. Then you need to deal with products on the shelf, cars on the road, athletic shoes, etc. I wish I knew more of the manner in which Daniel handled his day to day life in captivity.
Of course, when I wrote the book several Christian friends strongly recommended that I not use the title because of the word “lucky,” but that was my point. We have so spiritualized the “Beatitudes” (another word that has no biblical basis) that we no longer read the verses as if they had anything to say to the actual crowd on that day. We think of them as timeless ethical truths of spiritual attitudes when it should be rather obvious that Yeshua was speaking to a Hebrew audience in terms of concepts that they would understand, and ashre is a biblical concept that doesn’t mean “bless” in the way we use it today.
I bought this book when you came to Yeshuas love, in Sarasota, this past February. You started the teaching but was only able to do a couple. I have been looking everywhere for a teaching from you on the beatitudes. Do you have one? I watched your teachings several times and read your book guardian angel. Loved it. I just feel that if I watch a teaching, I will have a better understanding. I am very new to this and so eager for knowledge from the father. Thank you.
I have done a few audio lessons on the Beatitudes and I think they might be on the web site, but I don’t think there is any video on this. Sorry. Maybe you should just come to a conference this year and we can talk about these verses.
It would seem that the use of “blessed” in Matthew 25:34 is not entirely accurate either. It is being used as a descriptive word for the condition of the receiver of the blessing, but it is really a verb describing what the Father is doing. Maybe I am splitting at hairs but I think that this is important on some level. Perhaps on the unending focus on what I am getting out of the relationship, rather than what He is doing.
English “luck” comes from German “glück” which means “happy”. Happy, itself, comes from ‘hap’ as in happenstance, happen, perhaps. It describes a situation that occurs, possibly unrelated to anything we personally may have done. We consider it “lucky” when it comes out in our behalf. As has been noted, this is indeed a fine translation for makarios.
To insist on “blessed”, if the root meaning of words is of importance to you, is to align yourself with a pagan worldview (as appears to be the objection here about ‘luck’:
bless (v.)
Old English bletsian, bledsian, Northumbrian bloedsian “to consecrate by a religious rite, make holy, give thanks,” from Proto-Germanic *blodison “hallow with blood, mark with blood,” from *blotham “blood” (see blood (n.)). Originally a blood sprinkling on pagan altars.
This word was chosen in Old English bibles to translate Latin benedicere and Greek eulogein, both of which have a ground sense of “to speak well of, to praise,” but were used in Scripture to translate Hebrew brk “to bend (the knee), worship, praise, invoke blessings.” L.R. Palmer (“The Latin Language”) writes, “There is nothing surprising in the semantic development of a word denoting originally a special ritual act into the more generalized meanings to ‘sacrifice,’ ‘worship,’ ‘bless,’ ” and he compares Latin immolare (see immolate).
The meaning shifted in late Old English toward “pronounce or make happy, prosperous, or fortunate” by resemblance to unrelated bliss. Meaning “invoke or pronounce God’s blessing upon” is from early 14c. No cognates in other languages. Related: Blessed; blessing. (https://www.etymonline.com/word/bless)