Exploring Benediction and Covering in Spiritual Practices 5-29-26

All of the people of God are to speak blessings over others; this is not just for certain leaders to speak blessings.

This belief may have southern roots; the reason being, during a conversation with a niece who was born in the north, she never heard this before. Nevertheless, it is worth sharing and bringing about truth in case the same belief is in other places.

Some pastors believe they are the people’s covering and they should not leave church service unless they receive blessings from the benediction, because they are the head. There is no Biblical truth to this. Benediction - Act of speaking well of or blessing; invocation of divine blessing.

Question-  Suppose someone sacrificed their time to assemble with the saints, praise, and worship the Lord and listen to the Word of God to receive blessings. But! They had to leave before the benediction to go to work. Do you think they would miss their blessing? God blesses us according to the way we live, therefore whoever speaks blessings on another person, it is effective when the person is in the will of God.

The Christian church should know the history of something prior to saying it to others which is misleading and they pass it on to others and it becomes a vicious cycle.

The LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:22-26)  

What does this mean for the church (body of Christ)? In the Old Testament, the priests pronounced blessings on the people. In the New Testament, every child of God is a priest:  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

Therefore, we should pronounce blessings on each other. Growing up in the AME church, this is what we said and they still use this, Although it is an Old Testament scripture, it lines up with the new and better covenant: May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another (Genesis 41:39).

This was a covenant made between Laban (Jacob’s father in law), and Jacob. We should pronounce blessings on others/each other.

We are told to obey those who rule over us (Hebrews 13:17); that’s accountability; but the leaders are also commanded to serve. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45, Matthew 20:28).

Shepherd the flock of God, which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;  nor as being lords (master, owner) over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:2-3).

No one has the right to ownership over another; God is the only One who owns everything and everybody.

All of us are accountable to the Lord and we should be accountable to each other. This helps us to avoid falling into temptation that leads to sin.

Let’s continue to speak blessings on everyone.

Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org