JESUS,
The Blessed Asher, for Whose Sake All Believing Christians
Will Be Called Blessed (Gen. 30[:13]).
When Leah saddled a young son (by her servant Zilpah) she named him Asher, “Blessed One,” saying, “The daughters will call me blessed.” She was certain that this would be Jesus Christ’s ancestor, and hence counted herself blessed above all women in the world.
To this dear Mary referred, saying, “‘Behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed’ (Luke 1:48). Leah was mistaken, not I. I have the true Asher, the true Blessed One and Blesser of the world.” O Lord Jesus, You are the true Blessed One and Blesser. As Leah boasted of Asher, so my heart exults in You. As Leah carried her blessed one at her bosom, so I carry You in my heart. Because I have You, all Your Christians must call and declare me blessed. Indeed, because I have You as my Blesser, I call myself blessed. “He who believes in the Son of God has such a testimony in himself” (1 John 5:10).
Oh God, Holy Spirit, preserve this blessed testimony in my heart, that my Redeemer Jesus Christ Himself may call me blessed on the Last Day. Amen. “Blessed are all who trust in Him” (Ps. 2:12).
Valerius Herberger The Great Works of God, Parts Three and Four: The Mysteries of Christ in the Book of Genesis, Chapters 16-50 205