In the past year or more I have gravitated toward many thoughts about blessing and cursing, and seem to listen for these elements in many Psalms, Old Testament stories and New Testament references these days.
As I look about me I increasingly see a world that is slipping not only into stupidity and madness but into seemingly newly-invented forms of deep evil as well as the resurrection of age-old forms of evil practices of all sorts. I don’t know that I’ve ever thought of things in the way I am now honing in on as I try to parse that which is in the broader, external world and that which is more immediately before me.
When I look upon many happenings not only in the world but in the Church, and especially, in families, I see evidences of cursed/cursing behaviors and their ideologies that make it difficult for me to gravitate primarily toward seemingly New Testament postures on these matters.
I wholeheartedly believe that the foundation of the Old Testament is essential for understanding both the salvation message and the call of the gospel, and following Jesus. He clearly told us He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, and that He didn’t come to bring peace but a sword, with enemies becoming that of one’s own household. All deeper theological things aside for a moment, it can be easy for Christians to hijack New Testament statements in a way that is contrary to how things really work in the world.
By this, I mean, that as I listen with fresher ears to many Old Testament stories (especially, the descriptions and even small details of the who, what, when, where, why and how elements) it is seeming to teach me things that are very relevant these days and the earliest biblical writings given us to understand how things really work in the world. For example, the New Testament references schemes of the devil and doctrines of demons, as well as our call to bless and not curse, and warnings that in the last days children will curse parents, and a reminder that to honor one’s parents is the first commandment with a promise. But in the Old Testament, I seem to hear deep descriptions and all sorts of family, community, tribal and governance stories that again, illustrate the seen and unseen inner workings of many things.
Truly, some of the most prominent New Testament themes (in seeming contrast to a lot of the Old Testament histories and genres) would be the exercise of mercy, non-violence, forsaking of anger and wrath (even when justifiable) and being a blessing to others and especially, speaking blessing to and over others.
It is a major challenge for me at times.
Like many, I can have this image of the Christian “love response” that seems excessively meek and passive, unattainable and possibly to the point of not even being the appropriate response. And then, other examples of New Testament speech, actions and pronouncements that might seem contrary to this image come to mind. And like many, we get caught up in the parsing of things and hopefully, it drives us to circumspection, prayer and seeking God how to respond. How to be ready to give the right answer and response to every difficulty, to everyone, in every situation. How to listen and look for the Holy Spirit’s guidance/promptings/hesitations at work in us, and the wisdom God promises to give those who ask.
I’ve come back multiple times to the story of Jacob’s deathbed blessings and other pronouncements/cursings upon his twelve sons. In particular, my attention was drawn to that which was said to Simeon and Levi. Here is a quickly located first glance good commentary that also points out that Moses later blesses the Levites.
I also think a lot these days about generational blessings and cursings (and in particular, the “deathbed” curses which I’ve done some readings on such evil practices in what are known as “cursing” cultures in Africa, and even in the Irish, and the obvious linkage to those who delve into the evil practices of the occult) and the reasons thereof, and how these might be noticed/linked as we contemplate our own lives and those who went before us, and our offspring. It is rightfully a huge (and somewhat subjective) realm to ponder and of course overlaps with the realm of the natural and the realm of the random (if there is such a thing which I kinda think there is…in God’s created order that includes useful chaos?).
Today I learned a new and beautiful song, and felt the hand of God at work through the encounter with both the music and the situation at hand. For me, it is a good reminder that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the unseen powers and principalities that be, that hold people captive to do the will of the evil one. It was a reminder of the struggle to pursue blessing and being a blessing at all (high) costs in relationships, and that the aim of the Christian is to walk in the truth that mercy triumphs over judgement for those who submit to the kingship of Jesus.
And that this is the end desire we hold for those we hold dear–that the truth of God and the goodness of God would be made known, in all forms of blessing upon them. In Abraham, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
Lord Jesus, help me not to shrink back in fear at anything that is before me and those I love and long for, that has been crafted for their spiritual and personal harm, as well as my own.
I Peter 3: 8-22 (NIV)
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
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