As Christians, God promises to satisfy our desires with good things and we are called to have faith in his desire to bless us.
Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV) Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
To praise and thank God with our soul, we must “forget not all his benefits.” Therefore, we should consider what blessings God has blessed us with.
The Oath of Blessing
God swore an oath to bless Abraham and his descendant Jesus Christ, that through them all the nations of the earth would be blessed.
Genesis 22:15-18 (NIV) The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring [Christ] all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
God cannot break his oaths (Deuteronomy 23:21-23; Leviticus 5:4-5; Numbers 23:19; 30:1-2; Deuteronomy 23:21-23; Joshua 9:3-21; Judges 11:30-31,34-35; 2 Samuel 21:1-2; Psalm 15:1-2,4; 24:4; Hebrews 6:17-18). When God makes an oath, he shows that the promise is unchangeable.
Hebrews 6:17 (ESV) So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath
What Did God Promise?
What does God mean when he says, “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed?” Was this blessing only spiritual in nature or did it include a material component? Was it a blessing only for the afterlife or for earth too?
Paul understood that this blessing meant that Abraham and his offspring would be an “heir of the world” (Romans 4:13 [NIV]). When God said he would bless Abraham and his offspring, he left nothing off the table. God would withhold no good thing from Abraham or his offspring not only in the afterlife, but also during his earthly life. Abraham was promised to be blessed even materially so that he could also bless others.
Genesis 24:1 (BSB) By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.
Genesis 24:34-35 (BSB) “I am Abraham’s servant,” he replied. “The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and donkeys.
Genesis 12:2 (ESV) “I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing”
Other nations who are not part of Abraham’s family were also blessed for honoring Abraham.
Genesis 12:3 (ESV) “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse”
As a result, Abraham experienced great material blessings.
Genesis 13:1-2,6 (NIV) So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. 2 Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold… 6 But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together.
Isaac also inherited Abraham’s blessing and as a result became very wealthy materially. God did not specifically say his blessing to Isaac or Abraham included wealth, yet they both became wealthy because of God’s blessing. Hence, when God promised to “bless,” it naturally included a blessing of wealth.
Genesis 26:2-5,12-14 (NIV) The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. 3 Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. 4 I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, 5 because Abraham obeyed me and did everything I required of him, keeping my commands, my decrees and my instructions.”
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12 Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him. 13 The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy. 14 He had so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him.
The following verses make clear that God delighted in making Abraham and Isaac prosperous materially, in fulfillment of his oath to Abraham.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (ESV) You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
Deuteronomy 30:9 (NIV) Then the Lord your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The Lord will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your ancestors
When God promised to bless Abraham, it was not limited to spiritual or immaterial blessings, but rather included every good thing God may do for man. This blessing was not limited to the afterlife, but included favor in his earthly life.
Who Is the Oath For?
Who was meant to inherit these blessings? The blessings were made to Abraham and his “Seed” (singular), which Paul said referred to Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16). However, Christ did not keep this blessing for himself. When Jesus died on the cross, he traded the blessings he deserved for the curses we deserved.
2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
Galatians 3:13-14 (NIV) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
What an indescribable and humbling gift! When we place our trust in Christ and his finished work we become heirs of the promise in him.
Galatians 3:29 (NIV) If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 4:28 (NIV) Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise…
2 Corinthians 9:8 (WNT) And God is able to bestow every blessing on you in abundance, so that richly enjoying all sufficiency at all times, you may have ample means for all good works.
Romans 5:17 (NIV) For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
Is the Oath Conditional?
God’s oath requires faith and patience to inherit. Christians should prepare themselves to wait expectantly for God to answer their prayers.
Hebrews 6:12-15 (NIV) We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. 13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
Abraham serves as an example for us. Like many of us, he faced dangers and challenges while waiting for God to fulfill his promises. He experienced fear for his safety on two occasions (Genesis 12:11-13; 20:2), had to rescue his nephew Lot from foreign armies (Genesis 14:14-16), and questioned how God would fulfill his promise of giving them a son (Genesis 16:2). However, despite these obstacles, Abraham patiently waited for over 25 years and eventually received the blessings that were promised to him (Genesis 12:4; 21:5).
Abraham was not a perfect man and did not earn his blessings through his own efforts. Instead, God blessed him because of faith alone, which should encourage all of us hoping for God’s blessings on our lives.
This is evident in the instances where Abraham lied about his wife being his sister to protect himself from covetous kings (Genesis 12:11-13; 20:2). Despite his flawed actions, God turned these situations around for Abraham’s benefit. In both instances, Abraham and his wife departed with great riches (Genesis 12:16; 20:14-16). In a moment of doubt, Sarah encouraged Abraham to sleep with Hagar in an attempt to fulfill God’s promise of a son (Genesis 16:2). However, their doubts did not hinder God from ultimately fulfilling his promise through Sarah, who bore them a son.
Galatians 3:1-12 reminds us not to rely on our works or adherence to the law to receive God’s blessings. Instead, we are to rely on faith, just as Abraham did. By having faith, we become children of Abraham and are blessed alongside him.
Galatians 3:1-12 (NIV) You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”
At times, we may attempt to earn what God has freely given us, but it is important to understand that his promises are received solely through faith. When we rely on our own works, our faith becomes unsteady and uncertain, resembling the fluctuating waves of the sea, with highs and lows (James 1:6-8 [WEB]).
Romans 4:13-16 (NIV) It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law [believing Jews] but also to those who have the faith of Abraham [believing Gentiles].
Romans 11:6 (WEB) And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
Galatians 5:2-5 (NIV) Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.
In the Gospels, we encounter only two individuals with remarkable faith: a Roman centurion (Matthew 8:5-10) and a Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21-28). What sets them apart is their trust in God’s grace rather than their own merit. Despite being Gentiles, they approached Jesus for help, even though he was only focused on helping the Israelites at the time. Although Jesus initially responded that he was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel and it was not right to give their bread to dogs (Matthew 25:24,26), the Canaanite woman persisted, and Jesus acknowledged her great faith and answered her prayer. James 4:6 tells us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. When we let go of self-reliant pride and trust in God’s kindness and ability with humility, we will also experience great faith.
God wants us to know that he will fulfill his promises and does not require us to deserve his blessing. Gaining knowledge of God’s promises is a source of encouragement, allowing us to approach him with our requests and patiently await his response.
Saying Amen To God’s Blessings
God elaborated on the blessing he promised to Abraham when he established the Old Covenant. At this point in time, the blessings were conditioned upon the works of the law, which included curses for disobedience. When the curses of the law were read, the people said, “Amen” or “let it be.”
Deuteronomy 27:14-17 (ESV) And the Levites shall declare to all the men of Israel in a loud voice:
15 “‘Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the Lord, a thing made by the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’
16 “‘Cursed be anyone who dishonors his father or his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
17 “‘Cursed be anyone who moves his neighbor’s landmark.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
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Under the New Covenant, Christ took all these curses upon himself so that we could be blessed.
Galatians 3:13-14 (NIV) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus…
Paul boldly exclaimed that in Christ, instead of saying “Amen” to the curses of the law, we say “Amen” to God’s blessings.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV) For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
As you read the blessings in the Bible, practice saying “Amen” as if they are yours, knowing that these belong to Christ and he gave them to you by his sacrifice. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 elaborates on the blessings given to Abraham (although at that time they were locked under the law) and it is encouraging to read with faith.
Trust in God, Not Wealth
God delights in prospering, protecting, and caring for us. However, we live in a world with evil people, envy, and persecution. Christians are called to lay down their wealth, prosperity, and wellbeing if necessary for the sake of the gospel and their faith in Christ.
Matthew 16:19 (NIV) Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Paul arguably had more faith than all of us and was blessed by God. Yet, at times was proud to suffer hunger, danger, imprisonment, beatings, sleeplessness, toil, cold, and nakedness on account of his faith (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Although God wants us to prioritize our faith over riches, God also promises blessings (even in this life) when we suffer on account of him.
Mark 10:29-30 (NIV) “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.
Just as Job suffered for a while on account of the trial he underwent and later was blessed many times more, so Christians also should put their trust in God, being prepared to temporarily give up these earthly blessings if needed for the sake of our eternal one.
1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV) Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Summary
When God makes an oath, he cannot break it. He made an oath to bless Abraham and Christ with every blessing they wished for, even material blessings. Christ wanted us to have his blessing, so he chose to die on the cross in humiliation, taking the curse we deserved and giving us the blessing he deserved. We inherit and experience this blessing when we put our faith in Christ and say “Amen” to his promise. We should not try to earn or deserve these blessings out of our own performance, works, or self-righteousness but humbly ask God for the things we want and need with faith. When God blesses us, we should remember he makes us prosperous and be proud to sacrifice our riches for the sake of God’s kingdom if needed, knowing also that God will reward us in this life and the next.
As we learn and receive what Christ paid to give us, let us praise God and be thankful for his indescribable gift!