Osborne, William R. Divine Blessing and the Fullness of Life in the Presence of God. Short Studies in Biblical Theology 10. Wheaton: Crossway, 2020. 138pp excluding end matter.
Purpose, Goal, Thesis, and Definitions
The purpose of this book is “to establish a biblical-theological foundation of blessing by presenting a concise biblical theology that leans into how we view ourselves as living blessed lives as citizens of God’s kingdom” (16).
The goal of this book is “to provide a biblical theology of blessing by examining those references to blessing in the Old and New Testaments, recognizing not only their literary context but also their setting in God’s plan of redemption” (18).
The thesis of this book is: “divine blessing in the Bible looks like God’s creatures experiencing the fullness of life—both physically and spiritually—in his presence” (17).
The two primary terms for “to bless” are ברך and εὐλογέω. These two terms have three basic meanings (20):
- To bless as an action.
- A blessing as a thing.
- Being blessed as a state of being.
When the word “bless” is used of God by people, it means “praise” and the two words are often used as synonyms (27).
Summary and Critique
Divine Blessing is quite a confusing little book. For example, Osborne is unclear as to what constitutes “blessing” until chapters 4–5 (the final two chapters). However, once completed, Osbornes argument becomes clear (see below).
Rather than a chapter-by-chapter summary, it is best to present Osbornes argument as a coherent whole.
Osborne argues throughout this book that there are three areas of blessing:
- Relational—our relationship with God.
- Spiritual—salvation, the gift of the Spirit, and fruits that flow from him.
- Material—marriage, mansions, and money.
All three are God’s intent for people, as seen in the garden of Eden. All three would have been present in Canaan if Israel had been faithful to Yahweh. All three will be fully manifest when the Kingdom of God comes in its fulness with the return of Jesus. All blessings stem from our good relationship with God and drive us to a relationship with God. For example, God may choose to give material blessings to his people now, before Jesus returns; these material blessings stem from our good relationship with God offered through belief in Jesus, but they should also drive us closer to God.
In the present time of salvation history, we have the blessing of a right relationship with God and we have all spiritual blessings. But until the Kingdom of God comes in its fulness, we do not have all the material blessings God intends for his people to have. For most Christians, these must wait until the Kingdom of God comes. However, because the Kingdom of God has come in part with Jesus’ first coming, God may choose to bestow some of these material blessings upon his people now.
Overall, I recommend Divine Blessing because it counteracts a common doctrine that believers must be blessed with wealth and material blessings today (prior to Jesus’ return and consummation of the kingdom of God). Osborne shows that all believers are blessed today, but that we must await Jesus’ return to receive the fulness of blessings that God has always intended for his people.
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