God Bless

Seems to me that Standing Firm in Christ would probably have a good answer for this one. I seem to recall him making some comment about being careful of 'god blessing' on another thread having to do with JW's I think. Perhaps he'd like to take another stab at this?

 

I'm not really sure what you mean.

Are you asking what the bible's explanation is for the fact that people say, "God bless you"? I don't think it gives one.

Or are you asking what the phrase, "God bless you" means in the bible? If so, those actual words don't appear in any English translation I have looked at, apart from "The Message", but that is really a paraphrase rather than a translation.

Sorry not to have understood what you meant - I expect it is obvious really, and I am just being more "dense" than usual! :laugh:

 

A belated welcome to the BB.

Ed

 

I don`t know what you mean by an `explaination` of the phrase, but the phrase " The Lord bless thee and keep thee" (KJV) is found in verse 24 of Numbers 6 when the Lord instructs Moses to bless the children of Israel in that way. Asking that the Lord will bless someone may be the explaination you are looking for.

 

When we say God Bless You to someone, we are wishing the blessings of God upon them.

I do remember saying we should not tell the JW's "Go with God" (which is what 'godspeed' means" The reason we are not to tell them 'godspeed', is it is telling them there is nothing wrong with the false doctrine they are spreading. If we do so, we are partakers of their evil deeds according to the Word of God.

As to the God Bless You, it is also not to be used lightly. If the action you are asking God to bless them for is contrary to the Word of God, again, you are being a partaker of their evil deeds.

The Word of God is to reprove, rebuke with all longsuffering, correct, and finally... to instruct. Nowhere are we told to bless someone for evil deeds.

 

Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

1 Corinthians 4:12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Bless you brother.


HankD

 

Saying "Bless you," and "God Bless" are two different things.

We can bless others with our actions and words. But to tell them "God bless" when they are doing evil, will send the wrong message... IMO

 

I understand that SFC and basically I agree.

But who then blesses other than God?

If my enemy curses me and I am to bless them in return, from whom should I ask the blessing? Does not every good thing come from God?

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.​

In another case, to ask God to open the eyes of the spiritually blind (e.g. JW's), is that not a blessing?

I understand that simply saying "May God bless you" would probably be misunderstood and I certainly refrain from that kind of language and agree with you as to the Word of God and "God-speed" thereby approving of the spread of their error.

But I have no qualms about telling them or family members involved in error that I have asked God to bless them with the truth.
This lets them know in no uncertain terms that I am opposed to their error but yet want God's best for them.


HankD

 

In blessing, you will be blessed... God told Abraham.

Reckon we can bless someone of our own without saying God Bless.

 

Of course, and as a fellow believer SFC I would like to say for you and yours:

Numbers 6

24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.​

And in this age of grace I should probably add - May He continue to do so.​

HankD​