CURSES
To pronounce a curse is to ask for evil or injury against one’s enemies. As practiced in Bible times, cursing was the opposite of blessing. It should not be confused with profanity in the modern sense.

PAGAN BELIEFS
Curses and blessings were linked to ancient pagan beliefs. They said that spirits of “the gods” could be called upon to act on behalf of a person who repeated certain chants or performed certain deeds (such as sacrifices). It was thought that a spoken curse possessed an occult power to work calamity on one’s enemies. In some pagan cultures, curses were written on clay jars. They were then smashed, symbolically bringing about the intended curse. Tombs were protected by means of curses. Royal inscriptions were protected by curses aimed at anyone who might change, destroy or defy the written decree (Ezra 6:11-12).

CURSES IN OLD TESTAMENT TIMES
Among the Hebrews a curse could be spoken for the sake of justice. In the Old Testament the curse was an integral part of the relationships connecting YAHVEH and the community, YAHVEH and an individual or among members of the community. To break the terms of a covenant was to merit the covenant curse or curses. A curse invoked under other conditions was powerless. “Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight” (Proverbs 26:2). A curse could be revoked by pronouncing a blessing (Exodus 12:32; Judges 17:1-2; 2 Samuel 21:1-3). The Mosaic Law forbade the cursing of parents (Exodus 21:17; compare Proverbs 20:20; Matthew 15:4), the ruler (Exodus 22:28) and the deaf (Leviticus 19:14). A man who suspected his wife of unfaithfulness could require that she submit to a test administered by the priest. A resulting curse would come upon her if she was guilty (Numbers 5:11-31). Individuals might pronounce a curse upon themselves to show the truthfulness of their statements or promises (Numbers 5:19-22; Job 31:7-10; 31:16-22; Psalm 137:5-6). The apostle Peter followed the Old Testament practice when he used a curse to deny that he knew Yeshua (Mark 14:71). Certain men who wished to kill the apostle Paul proved their sincerity by such a solemn curse (Acts 23:12, 14, 21). Cursing YAHVEH was punishable by death (Leviticus 24:10-16; compare Exodus 22:28; Isaiah 8:21-22). Curses in Bible history began with YAHVEH’s curse on the serpent. There were also curses on Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:14-19) and on Cain (Genesis 4:11-12). Potential curses would fall on those who might curse Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:3). The same would happen to those who put their trust in human strength instead of in our Adonai (Jeremiah 17:5). When the people of Israel passed through Moab on their way to the Promised Land, Moab’s king Balak hired Balaam to curse the Israelites. He and Balaam learned however, that they could not curse those whom YAHVEH had blessed (Numbers 22-24). Joshua cursed anyone who might try to rebuild Jericho (Joshua 6:26; fulfilled in 1 Kings 16:34). King Saul made a curse that almost cost the life of his son Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:24, 43-45; 49:5-7; Joshua 9:22-23; Judges 9:7-21, 57; 2 Samuel 16:5-13; 1 Kings 21:17-24; 2 Kings 2:24; Malachi 2:2; 4:6). The pronouncement of “woe” (NLT “destruction”) is also the language of curse (Isaiah 5:8-23). In Matthew 23:13-33 “alas” and “woe” can be used synonymously. They may be taken as either an exclamation of sorrow or of threatened doom and calamity. Psalm 109 contains a lengthy curse against the psalmist’s enemies. Evidently they had spoken some words against him falsely (see also Psalms 58:6-11; 69:19-28; 143:12). The prophet Jeremiah called on YAHVEH to punish his tormentors (Jeremiah 11:20; 12:3; 15:15; 17:18; 18:21-22; 20:11-12). He even asked YAHVEH not to forgive them (18:23). Such curses against one’s enemies are difficult for Christians today to understand because they contrast sharply with the New Testament commands to “bless those who curse you” (Luke 6:28; compare Romans 12:14). Yeshua’s Command was to “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44).

COVENANT CURSES
Protection of a contract or treaty by invoking a curse on the violator was common in Old Testament times. Sometimes a covenant was sealed by cutting up an animal and having the two individuals walk between the severed pieces. The slain animal symbolized the curse to befall the violator. YAHVEH agreed to submit to such a curse on Himself if He broke the covenant He made with Abraham (Genesis 15:7-21). Later, YAHVEH accused the leaders and people of Israel of breaking their covenant with Him and warned them of the consequences to follow (Jeremiah 34:18-19). That was an essential part of the covenant YAHVEH made with Israel at Mount Sinai. There were promises of blessings for keeping the covenant and curses for breaking it (Deuteronomy 11:26-28; 27:15-26; 28:15-68; 30:19; compare Leviticus 26:3-39). Israel suffered those curses in the time of the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The covenant breakers, including the king, were threatened with a curse (Jeremiah 11:3; Ezekiel 17:11-21).

THE BAN ON “DEVOTED THINGS”
A special kind of curse was the ban or anathema. Strictly speaking, it was a vow to devote persons, animals or objects under such a curse to YAHVEH. In some cases the priests could use objects that had fallen under the ban (Numbers 18:14; Ezekiel 44:29), but that did not apply to living beings. All persons or animals under the ban were sacrificed or destroyed (Leviticus 27:28-29). The ban was commonly used in Israel’s wars against its pagan neighbours. Sometimes everything was declared anathema (Joshua 6:17-19). Normally only persons and heathen images were destroyed (Deuteronomy 2:34; 3:6; 7:2; 7:25-26). To violate the ban by preserving any part of the cursed things was to come under the ban oneself. For example, Achan did not respect the ban placed upon Jericho. As a result, the terms of that curse came upon all Israel until Achan confessed and was executed (Joshua 7:1). After the exile, the Jews did not practice the anathema (or ban) by putting people to death. People who violated a curse were put out of the congregation of Israel (Ezra 10:8). That meant that the person was no longer part of YAHVEH’s people and was considered “dead.”

CURSES IN NEW TESTAMENT TIMES
Jewish synagogues practiced excommunication or anathema, in the New Testament period (Luke 6:22; John 9:22; 12:42; 16:2). Later, Christians excommunicated persons by declaring them outside of the community of faith (Matthew 18:17). It was also considered being “delivered to Satan” (1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:20). Both practices came from the Old Testament ban. Unlike that curse however, the excommunication could be removed as soon as the person repented. The anathema branded a person as “rejected” or “cursed by YAHVEH.” Saul of Tarsus before his conversion, tried to force Christians to renounce HaMashiach by calling Him accursed (see Acts 26:11). Later as an apostle, Paul warned that no one speaking by Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) could call Yeshua accursed (1 Corinthians 12:3). Paul pronounced anathema (destined for judgment and damnation) upon anyone who preached another gospel than the one he and the other apostles preached (Galatians 1:8-9). Paul said he wished he could be accursed, cut off from salvation and the people of YAHVEH, if that could lead to the salvation of his fellow Israelites (Romans 9:3). His desire reflected the love of HaMashiach, who accepted the “curse of the law” upon Himself. He submitted to suffering and death on the cross in order to redeem (or buy back) human beings from that curse (Galatians 3:8-14; compare Deuteronomy 21:22-23). The New Testament promises that a time will come when “there shall no longer be any curse” (Revelation 22:3).

BLESSINGS
Blessings have to do with both giving and receiving. We don’t talk much today about blessing others, but it was a vital part of life in Bible times. To bless someone meant many things. It meant to praise them, to pray for them and to commit them to YAHVEH’s care. It also meant to dedicate and challenge them to live forever committed to YAHVEH; it was a challenge to keep hold of spiritual things. It was a call for abundance and prosperity for another. And it was also a way of officially passing on the family inheritance to the oldest son. Wishes for a rich and abundant life were inherent in a blessing, although not always abundance in a material sense. YAHVEH was recognized as the ultimate source of the blessing and the person blessed would walk with Adonai and receive his benefits. To receive YAHVEH’s blessing meant not only to enjoy innumerable tangible gifts (life, joy, peace, abundance, children, home, reputation, health, freedom, work, food, etc.) but in a much deeper way to be welcomed into a special relationship with Him, a relationship to be affirmed and practiced. Part of this in turn, means being a blessing to others, a way of saying we have been a godly help for others. A blessing is a pronouncement of the favour of YAHVEH upon an assembled congregation. Worship services, especially observances of Holy Communion in Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and most Protestant churches, usually end with a blessing spoken by the senior clergy member present. This pronouncement (called “blessing” in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Anglican churches and “benediction” in most Protestant churches) is based upon the widespread biblical precedent of blessing (Genesis 27:27-29; Luke 24:50; Philippians 4:7; Hebrews 13:20-21). The practice of benediction or blessing is often regarded merely as a ritual of dismissal, but it is actually a pronouncement of YAHVEH’s gracious favour, to be given only by his ministers on the authority of Holy Scripture to faithful believers. In this action Christians are assured that the grace of YAHVEH the Father, the love of the Son and the communion of Ruach HaKodesh are with them. The term “blessing” is also applied to thanksgiving for food and drink (Matthew 14:19).

SAMPLE BLESSINGS

WHAT IS A BLESSING?

A BLESSING IS A HOPEFUL PRAYER.
“May ADONAI bless you and protect you. May ADONAI smile on you and be gracious to you. May ADONAI show you His favour and give you His peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26) A blessing was one way of asking for YAHVEH’s divine favour to rest upon others. The ancient blessing in these verses helps us understand what a blessing was supposed to do. Its five parts conveyed hope that YAHVEH would (1) bless and keep them (bless and protect); (2) make His face shine upon them (smile); (3) be gracious; (4) turn His face toward them (show His favour); (5) give peace. When you ask YAHVEH to bless others or yourself, you are asking Him to do these five things. The blessing you offer will not only help the one receiving it, it will also demonstrate love, encourage others and provide a model of caring to others.

CHRISTIAN GROWTH IS A BLESSING.
“I pray that HaMashiach will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of YAHVEH’s marvellous love.” (Ephesians 3:17) The family of YAHVEH includes all who have believed in Him in the past, all who believe in the present and all who will believe in the future. We are all a family because we have the same Father. YAHVEH is the source of all creation, the rightful Owner of everything and He promises His love and power to His family, the church (Ephesians 3:16-21). If we want to receive YAHVEH’s blessings, it is important that we stay in contact with other believers in the body of HaMashiach. Those who isolate themselves from YAHVEH’s family and try to go it alone cut themselves off from YAHVEH’s power. But those who live within the body of HaMashiach discover the blessing of Yeshua becoming more and more at home in them.

YAHVEH’S BLESSING

IN WHAT WAYS DOES YAHVEH BLESS?

YAHVEH BLESSES THROUGH HIS ETERNAL PLANS.
“I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3) YAHVEH planned to develop a nation of people He would call His own. He called Abram from the godless, self-centred city of Ur to a fertile region called Canaan, where a YAHVEH-centred, moral nation could be established. Though small in dimension, the land of Canaan was the focal point for most of the history of Israel as well as for the rise of Christianity. This small land given to one man Abram has had a tremendous impact on world history. YAHVEH promised to bless Abram and make him great, but there was one condition. Abram had to do what YAHVEH wanted him to do. This meant leaving his home and friends and travelling to a new land where YAHVEH promised to build a great nation from Abram’s family. Abram obeyed, walking away from his home for YAHVEH’s promise of even greater blessings in the future. YAHVEH may be trying to lead you to a place of greater service and usefulness for Him. Don’t let the comfort and security of your present position make you miss YAHVEH’s plan for you.

YESHUA IS YAHVEH’S GREATEST BLESSING.
“How we praise YAHVEH, the Father of our Adonai Yeshua HaMashiach, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to HaMashiach.” (Ephesians 1:3) "Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms” means that in HaMashiach we have all the benefits of knowing YAHVEH; chosen for salvation, being adopted as His children, forgiveness, insight, the gifts of Ruach HaKodesh, power to do YAHVEH’s will, the hope of living forever with HaMashiach. Because we have an intimate relationship with HaMashiach, we can enjoy these blessings now. The heavenly realms mean that these blessings are eternal, not temporal. They are from HaMashiach’s spiritual realm, not the earthly realm of the goddess Artemis. Other references to the heavenly realms in Ephesians include 1:20; 2:6; 3:10. They show HaMashiach in His victorious, exalted role as ruler of all.

HUMAN BLESSINGS

IN WHAT WAYS CAN WE BLESS OTHERS?

WE CAN BLESS YAHVEH.
“Praise our ADONAI, I tell myself; with my whole heart, I will praise His Holy Name.” (Psalm 103:1) Everything everywhere is to bless our Adonai: all angels; mighty ones and heavenly hosts; and all His works! Blessing YAHVEH means remembering all He has done for us (103:2), fearing Him and obeying His Commands (103:17-18) and doing His will (103:21). Does your life bless our Adonai? David’s praise focused on YAHVEH’s glorious deeds. It is easy to complain about life, but David’s list gives us plenty for which to praise YAHVEH; He forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems us from death, crowns us with love and compassion, satisfies our desires and gives righteousness and justice. We receive all of these without deserving any of them. No matter how difficult your life’s journey, you can always count your blessings; past, present and future. When you feel as though you have nothing for which to praise YAHVEH, read David’s list.

WE CAN BLESS FAMILY MEMBERS.
“These are the twelve tribes of Israel and these are the blessings with which Jacob blessed his twelve sons. Each received a blessing that was appropriate to him.” (Genesis 49:28)
Jacob blessed each of his sons and then made a prediction about each one’s future. The way the men had lived played an important part in Jacob’s blessing and prophecy. There was a strong tradition at this time of a father passing on special blessings to his children. These blessings were a heartfelt expression of a parent’s hopes or vision for his children’s future. How often do you share with your children, spouse or parents the wishes and prayers you make for their future?

WE CAN BLESS COMPLETE STRANGERS.
“Then Simeon blessed them and he said to Mary, ‘this Child will be rejected by many in Israel and it will be their undoing. But He will be the greatest joy to many others. Thus, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.’” (Luke 2:34-35) Although Simeon was very old, he had never lost his hope that he would see the Moshiach. Led by Ruach HaKodesh, he was among the first to bear witness to Yeshua. In the Jewish culture, elders were respected, so because of Simeon’s age, his blessing carried extra weight. Our society however, values youthfulness over wisdom and potential contributions by the elderly are often ignored. As Christians, we should reverse those values wherever we can. Encourage older people to share their wisdom and experience. Listen carefully when they speak. Offer them your friendship and help them find ways to continue to serve YAHVEH. In this way you will bless and be blessed.

WE ARE COMMANDED TO BLESS OUR ENEMIES.
“Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” (Luke 6:28)
The Jews despised the Romans because they oppressed YAHVEH’s people, but Yeshua told the people to love and bless these enemies. Such words turned many away from HaMashiach. But Yeshua wasn’t talking about having affection for enemies; He was talking about an act of the will. You can’t “fall into” this kind of love; it takes conscious effort. Loving our enemies means acting in their best interests. We can bless them by praying for them and we can think of ways to help them. Yeshua loved the whole world, even though the world was in rebellion against YAHVEH. Yeshua asks us to follow His example by loving our enemies. Grant your enemies the same respect and rights that you desire for yourself.

WHAT KINDS OF BLESSINGS DOES YAHVEH SEND MY WAY?
Deuteronomy 28:1-14: “You will experience all these blessings if you obey Adonai your Elohim. Psalm 139:17-18: “How precious are your thoughts about me, O YAHVEH! They are innumerable! I can’t even count them.” YAHVEH’s blessings are too many to count or even mention. His blessings come to us every day, in every conceivable form. Numbers 6:24-26: “May our Adonai bless you and protect you. May our Adonai smile on you and be gracious to you. May our Adonai show you His favour and give you His peace.”  Success and prosperity are not the most common blessings from YAHVEH, but rather peace, comfort, joy, fellowship with YAHVEH, hope and eternal life with Him.

BLESSINGS SOMETIMES COME IN STRANGE FORMS.
Acts 5:41: “The apostles left the high council rejoicing that YAHVEH had counted them worthy to suffer dishonour for the Name of Yeshua. James 1:12: “YAHVEH blesses the people who patiently endure testing.” Sometimes the greatest blessings come from suffering or persecution because we have proven ourselves faithful to YAHVEH.

BE THANKFUL FOR YOUR BLESSINGS.
Psalm 92:1-2: “It is good to give thanks to our Adonai... to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening.” YAHVEH has given us far more than we will ever realize. Thank Him for this before you become ungrateful and lose out on all He has yet to offer.

HOW CAN I BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS?
Galatians 5:22-23: “When Ruach HaKodesh controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” If you share this fruit with other people you will be a great blessing to them. Romans 1:11-12: “I long to visit you so I can share a spiritual blessing with you that will help you grow strong in our Adonai. I’m eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other.” 2 Corinthians 2:14: “Thanks be to YAHVEH, who made us His captives and leads us along in HaMashiach’s triumphal procession. Now wherever we go He uses us to tell others about our Adonai and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume.” As we share the blessings YAHVEH has poured on us, we bless others as well. Encouraging others with YAHVEH’s good news is one of the most rewarding of His blessings.

HOW DO WE LIMIT YAHVEH’S BLESSINGS TO US?
Numbers 20:12: “‘Because you did not trust Me enough to demonstrate My Holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!’” 2 Samuel 12:7-14: “I would have given you much, much more. Why then, have you despised the Word of our Adonai and done this horrible deed?” We limit YAHVEH’s blessings when we wilfully sin and therefore hinder our relationship with YAHVEH. James 1:14-15: “These evil desires lead to evil actions and evil actions lead to death.” We limit YAHVEH’s blessings when we give in to temptation.

BLESSINGS CAN MAKE US FORGET YAHVEH.
Deuteronomy 6:11-12: “When you have eaten your fill in this land, be careful not to forget our Adonai who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.” We must be careful that we don’t become so comfortable that we forget the YAHVEH who gave us all we have.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES IN MY LIFE THAT BRING YAHVEH’S BLESSINGS?
Psalm 128:1: “How happy are those who fear our Adonai; all who follow His ways!” Psalm 146:5: “Happy are those who have the Elohim of Israel as their Helper, whose hope is in our Adonai their YAHVEH.” Jeremiah 17:7: “Blessed are those who trust in our Adonai and have made our Adonai their Hope and Confidence.” A life focused on YAHVEH brings joy to YAHVEH and many blessings to you. Blessings from YAHVEH come to those who trust and obey YAHVEH. Blessings are not merely words spoken by a father, but a special relationship offered by YAHVEH.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES COME WITH YAHVEH’S BLESSINGS?
Deuteronomy 16:17: “All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by our Adonai your YAHVEH.” As YAHVEH prospers us, we are to share that prosperity in our giving. Receiving and giving go hand in hand.

BLESSINGS CAN BE NOT ONLY FOR FAMILIES AND SPECIAL PEOPLE, BUT ALSO FOR ENEMIES.
Romans 12:14: “If people persecute you because you are a Christian, don’t curse them; pray that YAHVEH will bless them.” Yeshua brought a new idea; blessing and forgiveness for enemies. This is unique to Christianity. The natural response is revenge for enemies. Prayer for our enemies is a severe test of our devotion to HaMashiach.