Untitled Sermon

The word “Curse”

As a noun,

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word, “curse” as: a prayer or invocation for harm or injury to come upon one

: evil of misfortune that comes as if in response to imprecation or as a retribution

As a verb, the word curse is defined as

1: to use profanely insolent language against : “blaspheme”

2: to call upon divine or supernatural power to send injury upon

CURSE - Wishing or praying for a negative outcome upon someone; desiring something upon a person or group that they will avoid at all cost.

When God curses, as in Genesis 3: 14-19, consider it yeah and amen. It is as good as done. It is like a prophetic utterance. It will happen.

Conditional Blessings and Curses

In Deut. 28:1-68.

Here God is the speaker, and it is impossible for God to lie. God’s word will not return to him void; it will accomplish it purposes, ( Isa.55:10-13).

Obedience to God brings His stated blessings upon us, and, disobedience or disregard of God’s Word invites the stated curses upon an individual or community.

An important theme in Genesis is the pronounced blessing by a father upon his sons.

The practiced, silent, godly life of a father, or a parent, is a tremendous blessing to their children.

Every word of affirmation or encouragement spoken to a child by a parent is a blessing to the child.

Alternatively, words of encouragement not spoken by a parent to a child, is tantamount to a curse upon that child.

One Hebrew word for blessing is the word “esher”, which is translated “happiness”. This is the word used in Psalm 1, which reads:

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is light a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. ...

In Hebrews 10’ 19-25, The writer is not only instructing his audience in how to enjoy the blessings and favor of God in the lives, but he is also encouraging them to bless others also.