You are to be a blessing.
Jewish people have contributed disproportionately in nearly every area of life, from science to the arts, from philanthropy to religion. God’s promise did come to pass. New York Times reporter McCandlish Phillips, who wrote The Bible, The Supernatural and the Jews (available through www.messianicjewish.net) said that the Jews were disproportionately influential in the world. This was so that Abraham’s descendents could fulfill God’s promise to him.
I will bless those who bless you.
In every nation where Jewish people have been allowed to be contributing members of society, the countries have prospered. In order to bring this blessing, God enabled Jews to achieve success. Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds the people, “You are to remember Adonai your God, because it is he who is giving you the power to get wealth, in order to confirm his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors …” Jewish people contribute financially the most, per capita, of any other people in the world.
I will curse anyone who curses you.
Where are the countries that have cursed Israel? Most are gone or at least have diminished in power and influence. At one time, Spain was a dominant world power. Jews were flourishing in what was called the Golden Age. Yet, after the Spanish Inquisition, after Jews were forced to convert to Catholicism or be killed, and after Jews were expelled from the land, Spain lost much of its power, wealth and influence in the world. The same is true for Germany and other countries. I can only hope that the U.S. doesn’t make the same mistake. God’s promises do come to pass.
By you all the families of the earth will be blessed.
Is there any greater blessing than to know the Messiah of Israel, who came from the Jewish world? Even the practical blessings brought to the world by God’s chosen people confirm the fact that God chose to bless the world through his people.
So, this seminal verse in Scripture lays the groundwork, provides the promise, from which the rest of the Bible unfolds. As part of the portion read this Sabbath, called Lekh L’kha (Get yourself out…), we can only be grateful that our father, Abram, was willing to “get out” for God’s sake, and become Abraham.
Rabbi Baruch Rubin is president of Messianic Jewish Communications (www.messianicjewish.net) and Rabbi of Emmanuel Messianic Jewish Congregation (www.godwithus.org) both in Clarksville, Maryland.
