August 2, 2025
With all that is going on in the Middle East these days, you may have heard that we can be blessed by blessing the modern state of Israel. They base this view on God’s promise to Abraham: “I will bless those who bless you.” But is that a proper understanding of Genesis 12:3? Let’s check it out. In doing so, we’ll uncover the reason why Jews exist.
The Blessings of Abraham
From Genesis 12 to 22, Almighty God spoke directly to Abraham at least five times, explaining many blessings He would bestow both upon and through Abraham:
1) personal blessings to and through Abraham,
2) blessings for a nation (Israel/Jews) descending from him,
3) land blessings for that nation, and
4) the covenant of circumcision for his descendants.
Yet none of these explain the purpose for these blessings. For that, we turn to the remaining blessing:
“All the families of the earth will be blessed through you… All the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring” (Gen. 12:3; 22:18).
There we have it. The personal, national, territorial, and covenantal blessings of Abraham all had the great purpose of setting apart Israel (the Jews) so that through them, God would bless all the families and nations of the earth – everybody, all of us, you and me.
But how would we be blessed? In contrast to all the anti-Semitism in vogue today, there are those who opine about various ways that both individual Jews and the modern nation of Israel have blessed the world. But, laying aside all such human opinions, let’s go to the God who promised the blessing and let Him tell us how.
In Holy Scripture we read, “The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘In you all the nations will be blessed'” (Gal. 3:8). If that is new to you – or even if it isn’t – reread it and reflect upon it! The blessing of Abraham for all nations is the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Blessing for All Nations
God raised up Israel, the Jews, for one purpose: that He might bless all nations through bringing His only begotten Son into the world, bringing the gospel through Him. We can easily lose our way in the OT if we do not continually keep in mind that a centuries-long process was underway from Abraham until “…God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law…” (Gal. 4:4).
The Holy Spirit also says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law… that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus… If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to promise” (Gal. 3:13, 14, 29).
And who does not know that this gospel blessing of Abraham is for all nations? “Make disciples of all nations… repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his [Christ’s] name to all the nations… Gospel… is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations” (Matt. 28:19; Luke 24:47; Rom. 14:24-25).
Jesus Christ physically was “the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (Matt. 1:1) The twelve (thirteen) apostles were all Jews. All but two books of our Bible were written by Jews. The church began on the Jewish feast day of Pentecost. For the first few years of the church, all Christians were Jews (or proselytes to Judaism). The church began in the Jewish capital of Jerusalem. Thus, the gospel, the church, salvation, the new covenant, the Savior himself – all sprang from the blessing of Abraham.
The Blessing of Abraham Is Available
Why did Jews exist? They existed to bring our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Messiah) and His message into the world – for all nations, including Israel itself. The blessing of Abraham is all about the saving gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God blessed Abraham with you and me in view. The way to receive the blessing of Abraham is to turn your life over to Jesus and obey the gospel. Through Jesus you can be a son of Abraham, an heir of the promises of God.