Topical Bible: The Blessed: Whom God Chooses

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In the biblical narrative, the concept of being "blessed" is intricately linked to God's sovereign choice and favor. The term "blessed" often denotes a state of happiness, prosperity, and divine favor, and it is frequently associated with those whom God has chosen for a specific purpose or destiny. This entry explores the biblical understanding of the blessed, focusing on the individuals and groups whom God chooses to bless, as revealed in Scripture.

Old Testament Foundations

The theme of divine blessing is evident from the earliest chapters of the Bible. In Genesis, God blesses Adam and Eve, instructing them to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28). This initial blessing establishes a pattern of God's favor and purpose for humanity. The patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—are central figures in understanding divine blessing. God calls Abraham, promising, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2). This covenantal blessing is not only for Abraham but extends to his descendants, marking them as God's chosen people.

The nation of Israel, as the descendants of Abraham, is repeatedly described as blessed by God. In Deuteronomy 7:6, Moses reminds the Israelites, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, above all peoples on the face of the earth" . This divine election underscores the special relationship between God and Israel, characterized by blessings contingent upon obedience to God's commandments.

The Psalms and Wisdom Literature

The Psalms frequently reflect on the blessedness of those who follow God's ways. Psalm 1:1-2 declares, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers, but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night" . Here, blessedness is associated with righteousness and devotion to God's law.

Similarly, the wisdom literature, particularly the Book of Proverbs, emphasizes that wisdom and understanding are blessings from God. Proverbs 3:13 states, "Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding" . This highlights the connection between divine blessing and the pursuit of godly wisdom.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the concept of blessing is expanded and fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Beatitudes, found in Matthew 5:3-12, present a radical redefinition of blessedness. Jesus declares, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). These statements reveal that true blessedness is not based on earthly status or wealth but on spiritual realities and the kingdom of God.

The apostle Paul further elucidates the idea of divine blessing in his epistles. In Ephesians 1:3-4, he writes, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence" . Here, the blessings are spiritual and eternal, rooted in God's choice and the believer's union with Christ.

The Church as the Blessed Community

The New Testament also portrays the Church as the community of the blessed, chosen by God to be His people. In 1 Peter 2:9, believers are described as "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession" . This echoes the Old Testament language of Israel's election and underscores the continuity of God's plan to bless and use His people for His purposes.

Throughout Scripture, the blessed are those whom God chooses, not based on human merit but according to His divine will and purpose. This choice often involves a call to service, obedience, and a life that reflects God's character and glory.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 65:4
Blessed is the man whom you choose, and cause to approach to you, that he may dwell in your courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, even of your holy temple.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 1:3,4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Describes the Grief Felt on Account of their Sins by Souls on whom ...
... on the Passion, still less on the most blessed Virgin or on ... it is not right to expect
miracles; God will work ... True, those whom our Lord admits into the seventh ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter vii describes the grief.htm

"Thou Art Now the Blessed of the Lord. "
... be blessed of God themselves, envy them who are blessed of him! ... man who will have
it; the second is, that God gives salvation to a people whom he has ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/thou art now the blessed.htm

The Call of David.
... So far, then, God chooses now as He did then, by an ... to choose more than one; him,
namely, whom God pointed out; but now Christ's ministers (blessed be His ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon iv the call of.htm

Of the Fact that the God of the Jews, after the Subjugation of ...
... that is done by the one true God, according to ... kingdom, or to make those necessarily
unhappy whom He has ... But He makes men blessed or wretched for other reasons ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xii of the fact that.htm

Jacob and Esau
... that in his seed all the families of the earth should be blessed; and that ... It is
men like Jacob whom God chooses"men who have a feeling of religion and the ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon vi jacob and esau.htm

The Higher Faith.
... my conduct itself must correspond to these answers." "Leave them at least till God
chooses to explain ... And to whom shall a man, whom the blessed God has made ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the higher faith.htm

The Name of God
... You must think of the Ever-blessed Trinity as he is,"of a Father, a Son ... about your
own soul unless you first know rightly concerning God, in whom your soul ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon vii the name of god.htm

God's Sovereignty Defined
... the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with ... as salvation
is by grace, the free gift of God, then He bestows it on whom He pleases. ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter one gods sovereignty defined.htm

That Solitary or Hermit's Life Passes Common and Mixed Life. And ...
... Of whom full many, although from men they dwell full far ... alone are worthy to take
heed to God, and to ... And truly the blessed Maglorius was full of miracles, and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xiii that solitary or.htm

Of the Eternal Election, by which God Has Predestinated Some to ...
... "Blessed is the man whom thou choosest ... 7. Although it is now sufficiently plain that
God by his secret counsel chooses whom he will while he rejects others ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 21 of the eternal.htm