Old Testament blessings

[Heleadethme]

9 hours ago, Don19 said:

That's not the point at all. The disciples responded to the saying by asking, who then can be saved. In other words, their reaction was that if it is so difficult for the rich to enter in the kingdom of heaven, then how much more difficult is it for those who aren't rich. They did not respond by saying, blessed are the poor! And the entire point Jesus was making concerns the inability of man to do good enough works to enter the kingdom of heaven. So that is why Jesus laid down His life, that we can be justified solely on His righteousness, not our own.

And so, to the OP, no Old Testament blessings are cancelled. They are rather realized in the New Testament.

Yes, they are fulfilled/realized under the new covenant...spiritually.  Remember Jesus telling the rich young ruler to give all that he had to the poor?  And also saying that except we forsake all that we have we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.  If the material blessings of the old covenant spilled over into the new covenant materially, how come a perfectly sinless, holiest man, the Author of our faith, wasn't the wealthiest man on earth.....instead He said that even the foxes and birds have somewhere to lay their heads, while He didn't.  This was another reason the Jewish religious leaders were perplexed and offended by Him and His teachings, because they were always thinking in terms of the old covenant being about material blessings and earthly rewards for the righteous.  They couldn't fathom a poor Messiah, who hung out mostly with the poor and afflicted.  Under the Old Covenant if you were poor or afflicted it was assumed you or your family must have sinned in some way....that's why they asked about the blind man...who sinned, he or his parents.  And Jesus said neither...but this was purposed that God might be glorified.

Edited September 17, 2020 by Heleadethme

[Heleadethme]

Looking at these scriptures, doesn't it seem that Jesus turned the Old Covenant upside down on it's head, materially speaking. (Though it always was meant to be a type and shadow of the spiritual, but only those OT saints with eyes and hearts of faith understood this.)

Luk 6:21-26

Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

[WayneS]

3 hours ago, Heleadethme said:

Looking at these scriptures, doesn't it seem that Jesus turned the Old Covenant upside down on it's head, materially speaking. (Though it always was meant to be a type and shadow of the spiritual, but only those OT saints with eyes and hearts of faith understood this.)

Luk 6:21-26

Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

  I agree that I think it can be difficult for those who are materially wealthy to come to faith. The history of the Jews as often they are poor and, or in difficult circumstances, and as they come to faith the earthly blessings flow.

  I’d like to review this and your response with the stories of Nehemiah and Hezekiah. They went through very difficult times, and through very tough trials, persevered in faith and as a result were blessed.

  It has been my observation that many of these true believers go through some sort of version of story like Joseph’s or King Hezekiah, weak faith leads to trials, which can lead to strong faith, and strong faith to being a child of God and living under his tent; and we know that your father is good to his children. 
  Therefore,  I have seen that many true believers are blessed with a level of prosperity that allows them to take care of their family and tithe. Other true believers are much more blessed with prosperity and can also take care other believers in their local church.

  Thanks for your insights.