The specific question we have for today is from Gen. 12:3: does God still bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel? Is it a good and wise thing for my own country, the United States, to support Israel in this current war?
In my view, I have no doubt that this promise
still is in order. In the time of the
Patriarchs God blessed Egypt and Abimelech and Abraham’s neighbors who were
kind to God’s chosen people. Before
Israel was a nation Moses promised to share the blessings of Israel with his
Gentile (Midianite) in-laws (the Kenites, descendents of Moses’ father-in-law;
Num. 10:29-36). Before Israel had
initially taken Canaan God extended blessing to Gentiles who acknowledged Israel’s
God and acted favorably to Israel (Rahab’s household and the Gibeonites, Josh.
2,6,9). God also promised trouble on
Laban if he was not good to Jacob (Gen. 31:29).
It was not required that Israel be a formal “nation” for this promise to
be kept.
Another thing to consider is the continuation
of the entire covenant God made with Abraham, of which the blessing on those
who bless Israel is a part. Both the OT
and NT are clear that God will never go back on the promise He made. Here are a few of my favorites from the OT,
if you want to check them out. These
promise God’s salvation for the nation: Dan. 12:1-3; Isa. 45:17; 26:2; Jer.
5:10; Obadiah 17; Zechariah 2:11; 3:9; 9:11-16;8:1-8; 10:12; Zeph. 3:17. These
reiterate the promise to Abraham: 2 Ki. 24:20; Isa. 54:7-10; Jr. 3:19-26. Again, it is confirmed all over the OT. I don’t think one needs to go beyond Romans
9-11 for confirmation that even in this age when Christ is building His Church,
that the promise to Abraham will still be fulfilled. Blindness in part has happened to Israel, but
only until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (11:25). In this day, where the gospel is seen mostly
among the nations, we Christians still have a relationship with the nation of
Israel: “Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning
the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. In other words, God chose them, and His
choice is still in effect. For the
gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable (11:28-29).
Furthermore, God’s promised blessing on Israel
did not keep Him from blessing others, even those who would become enemies of
Israel. God loved and blessed Hagar and
Ishmael (Gen. 16) as well as Esau (Gen. 29:39-40; 33). Today, it is possible to support Israel while
also recognizing the suffering of Palestinians and coming to their aid. Those who criticize Israel for “genocide” and
“apartheid” are those who themselves have been unwilling to help the Palestinians
they claim to support. No one has been
willing to deal with the governments in Gaza (Hamas) and the West Bank (Palestinian
Authority) who benefit from the continuing conflict in the region. These authorities encourage violence. Psalm 120:7 still fits, where Israel can say,
“I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.”
I believe that my country should seek to bless
Israel. God will bless us if we do. I also believe that my country should stand
up to those in the Middle East who continue to use the Palestinians as pawns to
sacrifice in maintaining their power in the region.
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