BENSHEN - BIRCATH HAMAZON

BLESSING SERVICE AT HOMEFAMILY RESTORATION

JEWISH FAMILY BENEDICTION PRAYER

THE EARLY CHRISTIAN MEAL

PURPOSE OF FAMILY IS TO UNDERSTAND LORD GOD

BENSHEN = SOUL WINNING TABLE

BENSHEN – THE BLESSING AFTER MEALS.

KEY SCRIPTURES FOR THIS LESSON: DEUTERONOMY 8:10

WHEN YOU HAVE EATEN AND ARE SATISFIED,PRAISE THE LORD YOUR GOD.FOR THE GOOD LAND WHICH HE HAS GIVEN

YOU.

ACTS 2:42

THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO THE APOSTLES’ TEACHING AND TO THE FELLOWSHIP, TO THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD AND TO PRAYER.

BENSHEN TRANSFORMS THE DINING TABLE

AS THE ALTAR IN THE HOME.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN FREED FROM THE “HOUSE OF BONDAGE” BY THE SACRIFICE OF JESUS CHRIST, YOU WILL ENJOY THE CUSTOM OF “BENSHEN”.

INVITE “UNSAVED” FOR FAMILY’S BENSHEN SERVICE – BEST TIME FOR GOSPEL SHARING!

ACTS 2:42-IN THE EARLY CHURCH

WORD OF GOD WAS SHARED, FELLOWSHIP & BREAKING BREAD TOOK PLACE WITH PRAYER

NO WONDER EARLY CHURCH WAS STRONG & VIBRANT

‘WORD OF GOD’ EMPHASIZES THE HOME AS THE CENTER OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

HEAD OF FAMILY IS THE SPIRITUAL HEAD – THE PRIEST OF THE FAMILY.THE DINING TABLE – THE ALTAR AT HOME.

DEUTERONOMY 8:10 – WHEN DO WE PRAY - BEFORE OR AFTER THE MEALS?WHAT OR WHOM DO WE BLESS – THE FOOD OR THE LORD?WHAT IS THE GOOD LAND IN YOUR LIFE TODAY?

STAPLES ON THE DINING TABLE:

BREAD

PRIMARILY MADE OF WHEAT & ALSO OF CORN / BARLEY.

SYMBOL OF ‘MANNA’ IN THE WILDERNESS.SYMBOL OF GOD’S PROVISION FOR THEM.SYMBOL OF GOD’S CONTINUAL PRESENCE AMONG HIS PEOPLE.SYMBOL THAT GOD IS OUR PROVISION.REMINDS THAT MAN DOES NOT LIVE BY BREAD

ALONE BUT BY EVERY WORD OF GOD.

SYMBOL THAT GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL OUR NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY IN CHRIST JESUS.SYMBOL THAT JESUS IS THE MANNA TODAY,

THE BREAD OF LIFE.SYMBOL OF LIFE OF JESUS & HIS SACRIFICE FOR

MANKIND.SYMBOL OF BROKEN BODY OF JESUS.SYMBOL THAT JESUS IS OUR PROVISION.BREAKING BREAD = (LE-CHEM) OF LOAVES &

NOT FLAT BREAD LIKE “MATZOS”MEANS = FAMILY MEAL OR EATING A PORTION OF BREAD AFTER PRAISING GOD.

SALT – ON EVERY JEWISH TABLE.

REMINDER OF: ADAM’S FALL.RESULTS OF SIN.REBELLION AGAINST GOD.OFFERINGS MADE FOR SIN

BEFORE THE ALTAR IN THE TEMPLE.ETERNAL COVENANT OF GOD WITH THE ISRAELITES.

COVENANT OF SALT WITH THE PRIESTS OF ISRAEL (NUMBERS 18:19).SALT WAS ADDED TO ALL SACRIFICES (LEVITICUS 2:13).SALT IS CONSIDERED MOST HOLY, MOST FIRM.IN MAKING A COVENANT, CONSECRATED SALT

WAS EATEN (LEVITICUS 2:13)WITHOUT SALT, OFFERINGS WERE NOT ACCEPTABLE. JEWS DID NOT SEE THEIR PRIESTS ADD SALT TO THEIR SACRIFICE, BUT KNEW IT.JESUS IS OUR SACRIFICE & WE ARE THE “SALT” ADDED TO HIS SACRIFICE.

MATTHEW 5:13

YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH. BUT IF THE SALT LOSES ITS SALTINESS, HOW CAN IT BE MADE SALTY AGAIN? IT IS NO LONGER GOOD FOR ANYTHING, EXCEPT TO BE THROWN OUT AND TRAMPLED BY MEN.USELESS SALT IS THROWN DOWN THE MOUNT. PEOPLE ASCENDING THE HILL TRAMPLE ON IT.

SALT, HENCE, IS THE SYMBOL OF SACRIFICE OF CHRIST FOR SIN. (MARK 9:49-50).

“FOR EVERYONE IS SHALL BE SALTED WITH FIRE, AND EVERY SACRIFICE SHALL BE SALTED WITH FIRE. SALT IS GOOD: BUT IF THE SALT HAVE LOST ITS SALTINESS, WHEREWITH

WILL YOU SEASON IT? HAVE SALT IN YOURSELVES, AND HAVE PEACE WITH ONE ANOTHER”.

SALT REMINDS US:OUR LIFESTYLE OF LOVE & EVANGELISM –BEST PRACTICED AROUND THE DINING TABLE –

FAMILY ALTAR.

WINE.

SYMBOL OF BLOOD.SYMBOL OF GREAT JOY.SYMBOL OF BOUNTIFUL GIFTS OF GOD. SYMBOL OF JOY OF SERVING THE LORD.ALWAYS CONSUMED IN JOYOUS OCCASIONS & FESTIVITIES.SYMBOL OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS FOR OUR SINS.

BREAD, SALT & WINE ALL REPRESENT JESUS.FAMILY READING OF WORD OF GOD-

EXODUS 16:1-36 – BREAD1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-36 – BREADDEUTERONOMY 8:3 – BREADGENESIS 3:17-19 – SALTMATTHEW 5:13 – SALT

MARK 9:49-50 – SALT EZRA 6:9-10 – WINE 1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-24 – WINE

FOUR PARTS OF BENSHEN SERVICE

DO NOT BE IN A HURRY.TIME OF SPIRITUAL EDIFICATION.TIME FOR

TEACHING THE WORD OF GOD.SINGING SONGS.EXPLAINING SIGNIFICANCE OF BREAD, SALT & WINE.EXPLAINING GOD’S PROVISION & EXPLAINING HIS GOODNESS TO YOUR FAMILY.

AFTER THE MEAL, SUMMARIZE DEUTERONOMY 8:10

“WHEN YOU HAVE EATEN AND ARE FULL, BLESS THE LORD FOR THE GOOD LAND THAT HE HAS GIVEN YOU”.THEN GO AROUND THE TABLE ONE BY ONE FIRST

ASKING FOR WHAT & TELLING FOR WHAT “YOU” SHOULD BLESS THE LORD.

BLESSING - BARAK

WHEN JEWS BLESS, THEY BEND IT IS LIKE A PERSON ABOUT TO CLIMB A CAMEL BENDING DOWN. “I AM ASKING YOU TO CLIMB UPON ME – YOU BE MY MASTER”

BLESSING IS NOT MERELY SAYING ‘THANKS’.IT IS ENTIRE PERSON BEING INVOLVED IN GRATITUDE.JEWS BLESS :

“BARAK ATTA ADONAI MELEK HA OLAM”“BLESSED ARE YOU ADONAI, KING OF THE UNIVERSE”

1. PROVIDER – HENCE, BLESS HIMFOR THE LORD IS THE PROVIDER OF ALL NECESSITIES OF LIFE. HE TAKES CARE.SING PSALM 126.

HAS JESUS TURNED YOUR CAPTIVITY?HAS HE DONE GREAT THINGS FOR YOU?PRAISE & THANK FOR A FEW MINUTES FOR ALL

HIS PROVISION AS JHWH RA-AH.

2. DELIVERER – HENCE, THANK HIMFOR THE LORD THE DELIVERER

FROM BONDAGE, GIVING OF THE WORD OF GOD & GIVING YOU THE LAND, THE EDUCATION, THE PROFESSION..THANK HIM FOR PAYING THE PRICE TO REDEEM YOU FROM BONDAGE.

3. RESTORER – HENCE, THANK HIMPRAYER FOR THE JEWS, RESTORATION & PEACE OF JERUSALEM AS PER PSALM 122:6.PRAY FOR THE JEWISH PEOPLE TO COME TO TRUST IN YESHUA AS THEIR MESSIAH.

THANK HIM FOR LOVING YOUTHANK HIM FOR HEARING YOUR PRAYERTHANK HIM FOR ACCEPTING YOU AS YOU ARE.HE IS THE LORD OF LOVE,

ACCEPTANCE & FORGIVENESS.

4. THANKS GIVING & HEALING PRAYER PRAY FOR SPECIFIC NEEDS OF FAMILY &

GUESTS ANOINTMENT WITH OLIVE OIL FOR HEALING, IF NEEDED.

NOW BLESS EACH INDIVIDUAL AT THE TABLE.

“THE BLESSINGS”

CHILDREN’S BLESSINGS - PART 1 – FOR A BOY

GENESIS 48:20“MAY GOD MAKE YOU LIKE

EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH”

CHILDREN’S BLESSINGS - PART 1 – FOR A GIRL

RUTH 4:11“MAY THE LORD MAKE YOU LIKE RACHEL AND LEAH”

PART 1 – FOR ALL CHILDRENNUMBERS 6:24-26

“THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU;THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE SHINE UPON YOU AND BE GRACIOUS TO YOU;THE LORD TURN HIS FACE TOWARD YOU AND GIVE YOU PEACE.”

THE FIRST SENTENCE HAS 3 HEBREW WORDS:THE WORK OF GOD THE FATHER:

WHO BLESSES AND KEEPS HIS CHILDREN

THE FIRST SENTENCE HAS 5 HEBREW WORDS:THE WORK OF GOD THE SON WHOSE WORD SHINES (LIGHTS OUR PATH) UPON US AND

WHO IS GRACIOUS TO US.

THE FIRST SENTENCE HAS 7 HEBREW WORDS:THE WORK OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO LOOKS UPON HIS CHILDREN WITH PLEASURE

AND GIVES THEM PEACE.

THIS PART REVEALS THE DEEP KNOWLEDGE THE FATHER HAS OF EACH CHILD.HIS BLESSING SHOULD AFFIRM THE

GROWING INTEREST IN THE CHILD.HIS BLESSING SHOULD AFFIRM CHILD’S DESIRED OCCUPATION IN LIFE.PROVERB 22:6

“TRAIN A CHILD IN THE WAY HE (SHOULD GO), AND WHEN HE IS OLD HE WILL NOT TURN FROM IT”

MALACHI 4:6 – FULFILLED AT HOMENOW SPEAK WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO EACH CHILD REINFORCE YOUR LOVE FOR THEM WITH WARM HUGS.IT IS PARENT’S DUTY TO IDENTIFY & BUILD UP EACH CHILD’S TALENTS, GIFTS & GOOD TRAITS.

REMEMBER PROPHECY REG. RETURN OF MESSIAH: “HE WILL TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS TO THEIR CHILDREN, AND THE HEARTS OF THE CHILDREN TO THEIR FATHERS.”PARENT’S LOVE & BENSHEN BLESSING ACCOMPLISHES THIS.

PART II - HUSBAND’S BLESSING OVER HIS WIFEPROVERBS 31:10-31

PROVERBS 31:10-31

EPILOGUE: THE WIFE OF NOBLE CHARACTER – AISHET CHAYIL

ABRAHAM’S EULOGY OVER HIS WIFE SARAH WHO DIEDSUNG BY JEWISH HUSBANDS EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT

10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

.17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

WIFE’S BLESSING OVER HER HUSBAND

WIFE’S BLESSING OVER HER HUSBANDPSALM 1:1-3

1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,

and who meditates on his law day and night.

3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither—

whatever he does prospers.

JEWS BLESS – HENCE, JEWS ARE BLESSED!

0.25% = 24% OF NOBEL PRIZESGiven that Jews comprise a mere 1/4 of 1%

(13 million) of the world's population (6 billion) and that 99% of the world is non-Jewish, the list of accomplishments by Jews is quite impressive.

Of the 660 Nobel prizes from 1901-1990, 160 have been won by Jews.

REFERENCETIMOTHY PROGRAMME INTERNATIONAL

HEBREW LESSONS AUTHORS

• DR.KARL D COKE, Ph.D.CHANCELLOR ,TPI. USA &

• DOUGLAS A WHEELER, Ph.D.TEACHER

PR. SAM BAKTHER JOHN,PRESIDENT TPI, INDIA.

COMPILED BY – NIRMAL NATHAN, TRICHY, INDIA