As we look at the trail of “covenant” and “blessing,” there are a few things to note.

a) The superiority of covenant to blessing is seen in Genesis 17; the container to content principle; the covenant foundation that sustains the blessing

b) The transmittal of covenant is via the birthright (in particular the Abrahamic Covenant), and in the New Testament the transmittal is by adoption to sonship (Note first Genesis 17:18-21; Genesis 22:16-17; Deuteronomy 32:9; Romans 9:4; and then Romans 8:14-23).

c) Covenant is spiritual and everlasting and must not be despised or sold for temporal, carnal satisfaction (Esau did and lost it to Jacob). The same is required of New Testament believers. Don’t trade the everlasting covenant of life for earthly gains (see Luke 16:8-15; Luke 18:18-30; Matthew 6:19-21); the reason for the demands of Matthew 6:9-11.

Covenant relationship is preserved by YOUR CONSECRATION to the Lord. The constant pursuit of “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven” (Titus 2:11-15).

d) The blessing is uniquely bestowed, undergirded and sustained by covenant. Obedience to the covenant sustains the blessing, rebellion against the Covenant Provider and Keeper provokes the loss of the blessing, emphasising its temporariness (see the examples of the three kings of Judah who started well and finished bad).

Hence the illustrative conclusion of 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 and Pauls’ extensive deposition in Romans 8.

If these foundation principles are taught and engrained in your children, then rightly and correctly put the blessing upon them.

“Here are two Bible ingredients for blessing your children and grandchildren:

1. The power of prayer. In Scripture, a father’s blessing included an open-eyed prayer to God for his children. Isaac, who was a farmer, said to his son, ‘May God give you heaven’s dew and earth’s richness—an abundance of grain and new wine’ (Genesis 27:28 NIV). Have your children ever heard you talk to God about them? Perhaps they have heard you say harsh words like, ‘How could you be so stupid? Don’t you ever think? You will never amount to anything!’ If so, apologise today and ask for their forgiveness. Let them hear you invoke God’s richest blessing over each of their lives. A father’s prayer of blessing over his family is a powerful thing—it’s life changing!
2. The vision of a glorious future. The Bible says, ‘When there’s no vision, the people get out of control’ (Proverbs 29:18 CEB). School counsellors tell us that many of their students lack vision. Why? Because they see nothing ahead for them except economic gloom, unemployment, and hard times. They need somebody to believe in them and their future…to believe they can succeed and live happy lives…that the best is still ahead for them.

Isaac didn’t wait for his boys to devise their own vision for the future. He prayed openly for their future success, their rise to prominence, and for respect and favour with family and society. Your kids don’t need you to manipulate them; they need you to motivate them. And you do that by blessing them!” —Taken from United Christian Broadcasters

Selah.



Pastor Afolabi Oladele