Genesis 12:1, 3-4
“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.”
I was contemplating the aforementioned verse earlier today. It amazes me, but not surprisingly so, that the Word of God has so many nuggets of gold within it.
… and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. What a beautiful promise. But wait, is it not saying that the Jewish people will be blessed? The answer is yes but there is more to it than a simple yes. Remember that Abram was not “Jewish”. The term “Jew” was not used until the time of exile. This can be more deeply discussed in another conversation as I want to point out that “Through” Abram who became Abraham, “shall all families be blessed.”
The exciting thing here is that the promise of blessing isn’t just for the Jewish people. Whilst it is true that they are God’s chosen people or “Nation”, all families are blessed who know Christ. For Christ came through the lineage of Abraham.
Here are some exciting verses to read:
Acts 13:26
26 “Brothers—you sons of Abraham, and also you God-fearing Gentiles—this message of salvation has been sent to us!
Galatians 3:7
7 The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.
And last but not least;
Ephesian 11-19
11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,