Introduction
‘Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”’
Genesis 12:1-3
In Genesis 12:1–3, the foundational covenant between God and Abraham unfolds, setting the stage for an unbroken promise that spans all of the Old Testament and into eternity. Genesis 12:1–3 introduces us to the Abrahamic Covenant, a promise from God that remains profoundly relevant today. While these verses reveal many facets of God’s commitment to Abraham and his descendants, we will focus on the key element expressed in the first part of verse three: “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.”
The Eternal Abrahamic Covenant
The Abrahamic Covenant, initiated in Genesis, is an eternal covenant established by God. It is a divine promise to bless not only Abraham but his descendants as well (the Jewish people). While this covenant included promises of land and countless descendants, Abraham would become a great nation, and through Abraham would all the nations be blessed, which is a reference to Jesus Christ, it also contained the promise of blessing and cursing.
The Blessing of Blessing
‘I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”’
Genesis 12:3
The promise articulated in Genesis 12:3 is clear: those who bless Abraham’s descendants (from Isaac and Jacob) are themselves blessed. This promise is not time-bound but extends into eternity. God’s blessings flow to individuals, nations, and leaders who stand in support of the nation of Israel. By doing so, they align themselves with the divine purpose and will of God.
The Warning of Cursing
In contrast, the warning is equally explicit: those who curse or oppose Abraham’s descendants (Isaac and Jacob) invite God’s curse upon themselves. The consequences are severe, as God remains steadfast in upholding His covenant. When individuals, nations, or powers oppose the nation of Israel, they find themselves at odds with God’s ordained plan. This warning should serve as a stark reminder to those who would harm or undermine God’s chosen people.
An Ongoing Obligation
This divine promise endures. Today, as in centuries past, believers and the world at large have an obligation. We are called to pray for the nation of Israel and her people. We are not to look down on them but rather to recognize their unique position as God’s chosen people. God has made promises to the Jewish people (a King and a glorious kingdom), and He will unfailingly fulfill them. No earthly power, no human leader, no nation, not even Satan, can hinder the divine plan that God set in motion with Abraham.
Conclusion
The Abrahamic Covenant remains in effect today and beyond. God’s promise of blessing those who bless Israel and cursing those who curse her is unwavering. As believers, we must embrace this truth by faith, not only in our theology but in our daily lives.
Let us fervently pray for the nation of Israel and her people, for in doing so, we align ourselves with God’s eternal purposes and His eternal covenant with Abraham. In this, we find not only a divine promise but also a profound opportunity to participate and be in God’s will.
Here are seven Bible passages that underscore the importance of praying for God’s chosen people:
‘For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. ‘
Romans 11:25
‘When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, When he separated the sons of Adam, He set the bounds of the people According to the number of the children of Israel. ‘
Deuteronomy 32:8
1. Psalm 122:6: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you.'”
2. Romans 10:1 (NKJV): “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.”
3. Genesis 12:3 (NKJV): “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
4. Jeremiah 29:7 (NKJV): “And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.”
5. Isaiah 62:6 (NKJV): “I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent.”
6. Zechariah 2:12 (NKJV): “And the Lord will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem.”
7. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV): “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”
These verses emphasize the importance of praying for God’s chosen people and for the peace and salvation of Jerusalem. Believers are encouraged to intercede for Israel’s well-being and the fulfillment of God’s purposes.
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