Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of blessing the Jewish people is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative and is seen as a source of divine favor and blessing for those who do so. This principle is primarily derived from the Abrahamic covenant, where God promises to bless those who bless Abraham and his descendants, the Jewish people.
Biblical FoundationThe foundational scripture for this principle is found in
Genesis 12:3, where God speaks to Abraham: "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you" . This promise establishes a reciprocal relationship between the nations and the descendants of Abraham, indicating that the treatment of the Jewish people has direct implications for divine blessing or cursing.
Historical ExamplesThroughout the biblical narrative, there are numerous examples where individuals and nations experience blessing as a result of their favorable treatment of the Jewish people. One notable example is the account of Rahab in
Joshua 2. Rahab, a resident of Jericho, aids the Israelite spies, and as a result, she and her family are spared during the conquest of the city. Her act of blessing the Israelites leads to her inclusion in the lineage of Jesus Christ (
Matthew 1:5).
Another example is found in the account of Ruth, a Moabite woman who chooses to align herself with the Jewish people and their God. Her loyalty to Naomi, her Jewish mother-in-law, results in her becoming the great-grandmother of King David, and she is honored in the genealogy of Jesus (
Ruth 4:13-22;
Matthew 1:5).
Prophetic PromisesThe prophetic literature also underscores the blessedness of blessing the Jewish people. In
Isaiah 60:12, it is written, "For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly destroyed" . This passage highlights the importance of supporting and blessing Israel, as it is tied to the prosperity and survival of other nations.
New Testament AffirmationThe New Testament reaffirms the principle of blessing the Jewish people. In
Romans 15:27, Paul speaks of the Gentile believers' obligation to support the Jewish believers, stating, "For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to minister to them with material blessings" . This reflects the ongoing responsibility of the Christian community to bless the Jewish people, recognizing the spiritual heritage received through them.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, the blessedness of blessing the Jewish people is seen as an acknowledgment of God's covenantal promises and His ongoing relationship with Israel. It is a recognition of the Jewish people's unique role in salvation history and their continued significance in God's redemptive plan.
Practical ApplicationIn practical terms, blessing the Jewish people can take various forms, including prayer, advocacy, and support for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide. It involves standing against anti-Semitism and promoting peace and reconciliation. By doing so, individuals and nations align themselves with God's purposes and open themselves to His blessings.
The principle of blessing the Jewish people is a timeless truth that continues to hold significance for believers today, inviting them to participate in God's unfolding plan for His chosen people and the world.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Genesis 27:29Let people serve you, and nations bow down to you: be lord over your brothers, and let your mother's sons bow down to you: cursed be every one that curses you, and blessed be he that blesses you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Because of Its Bearing Upon the Gentiles.
... and that in the Millennium the Jews will be ... and Israel's restoration will bring still
fuller blessing to the ... which speak of the Millennial blessedness of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/2 because of its bearing.htm
Particular Index of Subjects.
... Christianity, triumphant, 291, 296, 309 Christian armor, 361. blessedness, 414,
415, 478. ... his blessing invoked, 82. ... J. Jews, prayer of, 315, 316. ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/particular index of subjects.htm
The Subjects of the Kingdom.
... to make it clear to His hearers that the blessedness spoken of ... but they would also
be a blessing to others ... standards hitherto aimed at either by Jews or Gentiles ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter iv the subjects of.htm
We Shall not be Curious in the Ranking of the Duties in which ...
... says, "Give none offence, neither to the Jews nor to ... And truly such have a blessing
pronounced upon them ... pronounced it, and this is the blessedness, "they shall ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/chapter iv we shall not.htm
His Holy Covenant
... holy." The highest conceivable summit of blessedness is our ... This is the great blessing
Christ, the Mediator of ... from the carnal expectations of the Jews or the ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter xvii his holy covenant.htm
The Gospel Feast
... God loved the Jews, and He gave them something ... jealousy, reminds us of our greater
blessedness; for every ... of religion,"by a prayer, or blessing, or sacrifice ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xii the gospel feast.htm
An Index to Find any Hymn by the Title or Contents of It.
... Blessing of Abraham on the Gentiles, 1:113, 1:114; 2 ... 143; of Christ, 1:146, 1:150;
of blessedness, 1:102 ... 1:93; redemption, see Redeem; rejected by the Jews, 1:141 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/watts/hymns and spiritual songs/an index to find any.htm
Indexes and Tables
... Blessing of Abraham on the Gentiles, i. [1331]113, [1332]114; ii. [1333]134. ... of
blessedness, i. [1356]102. ... rejected by the Jews, i. [1476]141; ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/indexes and tables.htm
Jesus' Conditions of Friendship.
... The religious teachers of the Jews found sore fault with ... services and rites and
sacraments bring blessing to us ... up out of the dust into beauty and blessedness. ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter iv jesus conditions of.htm
Seeking Jesus
... one thing that He said to the Jews that He ... is that heart widened out to receive a
greater blessing. ... Think of the freshness and blessedness and energy that puts ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/seeking jesus.htm
Resources
What does it mean that Jesus is the King of the Jews? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the Ashkenazi Jews? Are the Ashkenazim truly Jews? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the Jews for Jesus, and what do they believe? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus