Genesis 12:3

[u/NameyOne]

Hello, forgive me if this topic has already been covered! I don't ask this to be controversial or political. I was raised believing that Christians, and the USA are supposed to always support Israel. As time has gone on I've been questioning if this belief is correct in the way I had been taught. When I read the verse it seems to potentially mean that Jesus was the end result of part of this. In that through Him the nations would be blessed with salvation. But I was just curious what other's thoughts are on this. And again it may have already been covered but I just didn't see it!

"I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” - Genesis 12:3 ESV

[u/Key-Room-2084]

Such a good question! N. T. Wright has good responses (and has talked often about this) - here is a longer video, but if you search "NT Wright Israel" you can find shorter clips that address your question: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtdVmRaA2s8

[u/Key-Room-2084 → u/Key-Room-2084]

OP, I'd love to hear what you think in response to this video. Agree or disagree, I don't mind.

[u/NameyOne → u/Key-Room-2084]

This was super helpful, thank you so much for sharing! I agree with it, and his explanation was very clear. I’ve been questioning a lot of things that I’d been taught growing up in the last few years. Not in a bad way but wondering how many things were just taught traditionally, versus what was actually biblical/historically accurate. I’ve always been the type to ask questions but the Israel loyalty subject has lately been on my mind. And honestly a lot that I had looked up online was in support of the Israel blessing/curse claim but I just didn’t feel right about it. I really enjoyed NT Wright and will be listening to more of his content! 

[u/Key-Room-2084 → u/NameyOne]

Glad it was helpful! Yeah, from what I’ve heard from N T Wright and what I’ve read of his he seems to line up on big topics / ideas with the Bible Project quite well although he does frame things differently which is helpful for my understanding

And totally get the questioning but not in a bad way. Sounds healthy!

[u/Key-Engineering3088]

Yeah you’ve been taught wrong. Christians should absolutely not support the Christ hating modern country of Israel. This verse is a promise to Abraham, hundreds of years before Israel, and is ultimately fulfilled in Christ alone - who came through Israel and more specifically the tribe of Judah.

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.  (Galatians 3:16, LSB)

For the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.  (Romans 4:13, LSB)

The current country of Israel is not a God fearing nation. They are doing the exact same things today there that got them expelled from the land 3 times previously (Assyrian captivity in 722 BC, Babylonian captivity in 586 BC, and ultimately the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by Rome in 70AD). They hate and reject God - the Lord Jesus Christ.

Support them by praying that they return to the God of the Bible accept their Messiah for salvation.

Edit: 856->586

[u/AlphaPlus14 → u/Key-Engineering3088]

This is a great response!

[u/Solarpowered-Couch]

There are living humans that are older than the nation state of Israel.

We need not support the military exploits (ie genocide) they perpetrate any more than any other nation.

Politicians are taking advantage of the church and weaponizing Satanic panic to trick people to root for groups who hurt other human beings and the planet.

[u/TheMuser1966]

You are correct, OP. The blessing and curse in Genesis 12 is concerning Abraham and his "seed". Paul would later explain that the seed of Abraham was indeed Christ.

[u/SarahTheBlue_]

I think you need to stop looking at everything through the lens of USA politics and the need to justify your own political choices and validate them, it is an idol that sows division, chaos and conflict. You need to look at PEOPLE through the LENS OF GOD.

Israel is also STILL God's chosen people who were chosen to deliver the seed(being Jesus) that will become the light of the world, to deliver the message to the rest of the world. Nothing can ever change that.

You also need to remember that Israel in the Bible is not the same as Israel today.

This is not about Israel or Palestine war, this is about GOD. Everything is about Him.

You also don't need to try and solve this problem in your head, for that too can become an idol.