A Father's Blessing

By Jonathan Helmuth

September 1, 2012

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is what their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.
-Genesis 49:28

Shortly before Jacob, who was also called Israel, passed away, he took the time to formally bless his twelve sons. The giving of a father's blessing is not something that most people are familiar with in our own day. Although, I am aware that this has become more popular in some circles, but my guess is that most people wouldn't understand why something like this is important.

There are some people who think that our lack of receiving blessing from our fathers is the cause of many problems in our lives. Concepts like "the father wound" attest that there is a great need in our hearts for good relationships with our fathers.

Our fathers have a special role to play in our discovery of who we are in life. That is why a father telling his child statements like "You'll never amount to anything" has such a devastating effect. On the other hand, a father who lovingly affirms his child is giving him a solid foundation towards developing into a healthy, well-adjusted adult.

But if current trends continue, more and more people will grow up without a father's blessing. Not only that, many will grow up with no relationship to a father at all. Some will not even have a biological father as science paves the way to make fatherhood obsolete. The result will be a level of lost-ness in the hearts of people that has never before been seen in history.

You might be someone who fully understands all this. You long for your father's blessing but have no hope of ever receiving it. Maybe your father is no longer alive. Maybe your father is alive, but the nature of your relationship is such that you believe he will never bless you. Maybe so.

Thankfully whatever your relationship is to your biological father, there is another Father who longs to bless you. God, the Heavenly Father, has the ability to heal the father wound in you. Not that you will be able to satisfactorily address every unresolved issue you have with your earthly father, but the greater Father can mend every broken part of your heart.

This is not to say that we should not hope for resolution with our early fathers. In fact, allowing the Heavenly Father to heal us will most likely be the beginning of healing with our natural dads. God's desire is for us to have good, healthy relationships with our natural parents. It is true that due to our broken state we will not see every relationship flourish the way they were meant to. Still, if we would receive God's blessing, we will begin to see even our broken relationships in a new light.

With what I have personally experienced, I can say that The Heavenly Father's blessing has brought much healing into my heart, and I have felt much more secure in my earthly relationships (protection). I have also been able to discover who I am and what I am here on the earth for (identity and purpose). Another aspect that this father's blessing brings into our lives is financial provision and inheritance. Inheritance is much more than financial blessing. Inheritance has to do with receiving something that you did not earn, but we receive it because of who we are, and that may be financial, emotional, or spiritual.

We all look for our father's approval, and in Matthew 3:16-17 it says that Jesus received the Heavenly Father's blessing.

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him, and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

If it was possible for Jesus to receive the Heavenly Father's blessing, then we can receive it too because of the atoning blood of Jesus. We will never be good enough of ourselves but, because of his shed blood, we are reconciled back to the heart of The Heavenly Father and can receive his full blessing. Receive and believe.

The LORD bless you, and keep you: The LORD make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26