The Blessing of Blessing

Rth 2:4

And lo, Boaz hath come from Beth-Lehem, and saith to the reapers, `Jehovah is with you;' and they say to him, `Jehovah doth bless thee.'

I like what Adam Clarke says about this greeting:

"This salutation between Boaz and his reapers is worthy of particular regard; he said,

יהוה עמחם Yehovah immachem, "Jehovah be with you!" They said, יברכך יהוה yebarechecha Yehovah, "May Jehovah bless thee!" Can a pious mind read these godly salutations without wishing for a return of those simple primitive times? The words may be thus paraphrased: "May God be with you, to preserve you from accidents, and strengthen you to accomplish your work!" "May God bless Thee with the increase of the field, and grace to use his bounty to the glory of the Giver!"

I note that Mr. Clarke was longing for "a return of those simple primitive times" in the early 1800's. How long have we degraded ourselves from such things?

I take heart in the knowledge that those times are about to make a comeback! We have suffered much from lack of respect for each other and each other's goods. Courtesy and cordiality are in great want in this day and age, let alone blessing each other. Instead we lust for what others have and wish them ill because they have it.

We rail against the wealthy because we think the didn't work for their gain but mostly we lust for their gain so we can live as they do. Instead of being thankful and appreciative of the work others have performed so we are blessed we only wish to have what they do so we can live luxuriously like they do. While indeed some do live too extravagantly most of those we consider wealthy work just as hard as any common laborer, perhaps more so.

When we learn to bless, we will be blessed, if not by those we bless, by the One who blesses everyone.