Blessed Be
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
Eph 1:3–6
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Blessed Be
Paul’s letter begins with a blessing based on the Jewish Berakah “Blessed” pattern found in Deuteronomy 2. In Hebrew, the same word is used for our blessing (praising) God and His blessing us (giving us good gifts). Paul naturally begins this way since he has spent three years worshiping with the Ephesians as their pastor. This trinitarian prayer invokes the blessings of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A formula our Lord Jesus taught us to use. So, we are reminded of all the blessings that God has given us. God blesses us physically and spiritually every day. And in the Christian Church, the new Israel Christians have been gathered to receive these blessings. As our Lutheran Confessions state, “God’s Word leads us to Christ, who is the Book of Life, in whom all are written and elected who are to be saved in eternity.” Blessed be God for His great and wonderful mercy. Blessed be God for His Son, Jesus Christ.
Eph 1:3–6
+
Blessed Be
Paul’s letter begins with a blessing based on the Jewish Berakah “Blessed” pattern found in Deuteronomy 2. In Hebrew, the same word is used for our blessing (praising) God and His blessing us (giving us good gifts). Paul naturally begins this way since he has spent three years worshiping with the Ephesians as their pastor. This trinitarian prayer invokes the blessings of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A formula our Lord Jesus taught us to use. So, we are reminded of all the blessings that God has given us. God blesses us physically and spiritually every day. And in the Christian Church, the new Israel Christians have been gathered to receive these blessings. As our Lutheran Confessions state, “God’s Word leads us to Christ, who is the Book of Life, in whom all are written and elected who are to be saved in eternity.” Blessed be God for His great and wonderful mercy. Blessed be God for His Son, Jesus Christ.
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