Does God bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel?

The popular assumption that God blesses or curses people, organizations, and nations on the basis of how they treat the Jewish people and the State of Israel is based on a misunderstanding of Genesis 12:3.

“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:2-3)

The International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem insists that the promise made to Abraham is unconditional and eternal, “a foundational passage for Christians who love and support Israel today.” Malcolm Hedding, the former ICEJ Executive Director, elaborates:

“God has promised to bless those who defend Israel’s existence, recognizing the unique role she is playing out for the sake of the world. This does not mean “blind support of Israel,” but it does mean standing against those who seek her liquidation and deny her claim to the Promised Land. Israel’s servant purpose on behalf of the world was not finished with the coming of Jesus in the first century. She will yet mediate, in its fullness, the final great covenant of redemption history to the world; the Davidic Covenant (Ezekiel 37:24-28; Revelation 22:12-17).”

But what does Genesis 12 actually teach?  First, note that the promise was made first to Abraham and later expanded to include his descendants.

“I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore… and through your seed all nations on earth will be blessed...” (Genesis 22:17-18)

Second, observe there is nothing in the text, to indicate God intended the promise to apply to Abraham’s physical descendants unconditionally or in perpetuity.

Third and most importantly, notice how the New Testament applies the promise to Abraham. The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians, appears to anticipate and refute a Zionist interpretation. We are told explicitly that the promises made to Abraham and his descendants were fulfilled in Jesus Christ not Israel, and that God’s blessing is bestowed on those who acknowledge Him as their Lord and Saviour.

“The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ… There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:16, 28-29)

In the vision which God gave the Apostle John, we see the promises made to Abraham fulfilled ultimately in and through the Church of all nations.

“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” (Revelation 7:9)

This is why it is mistaken to maintain racial distinctions within the Body of Christ, or claim the Jewish people have a separate relationship with God based on their ancestry or Mosaic law. The promises made to the Patriarchs are now being fulfilled in and through the Church. We must not therefore erect once again a wall of separation which Jesus has broken down by his death in our place (Ephesians 2:14).

The Bible therefore does not support any racial privileges giving the physical descendants of Abraham preferential or elevated status in God’s kingdom. God’s blessings come to all by grace through faith, not by works or race (Ephesians 2:8-9).