There are prosperity preachers who teach: Name it and claim it. Some teach that blessings should be demanded and commanded and even snatched. Sadly, such erroneous teachings become popular among people because they affirm their fleshly, worldly, and unrighteous desires.
Garden of Eden: God had graciously given all species of fruits and vegetables to Adam and Eve. Only one was forbidden. Seduced by Satanic false promises, they plucked, if not snatched, the fruit and ate. It was not out of desperate hunger, but a victim of foolish deception. (Genesis 3:6)
Firstborn rights: Isaac decided to bless Esau and give him the firstborn rights. Isaac did not disclose this to Rebekah, who wanted Jacob to get those blessings. Encouraged and helped by his mother, Rebekah, Jacob disguised himself as Esau, went to Isaac, and received (stole or snatched) the blessings. (Genesis 27:36) Rebekah could not see Jacob enjoying his blessings, as Jacob had to run away from home and take shelter in his uncle Laban’s house for twenty years.
Extended long life: Hezekiah was about to time. God commanded him to set his house in order through the Prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 38:1; II Kings 20) However, Hezekiah became sad, wept, and cried unto the Lord, as he wanted to live longer. God relented and added fifteen years to his life. Nevertheless, it came with two great disasters: during that time, Manasseh was born, who was the most wicked King, and Hezekiah displayed his treasures to the Babylonian diplomatic delegation. That act became a curse that the Babylonians would take away the treasures, and some of Hezekiah’s descendants would become slaves and eunuchs to serve the Babylonian king.
Balaam: He was considered a seer, a prophet of God. However, when he decided to go, attracted by the reward offered by Balak, in spite of the warning. Sadly, he became the prophet of a man, Balak. He received blessings from Balak, instead of God. Later, he died as the prophet of Satan, as he seduced Israel to sin by adultery. (Numbers 22; 23; 31:8)
Do I gratefully receive or try to snatch God’s blessings?