Does Genesis 12:3 imply that those who confront wrongful actions and policies of the modern state of Israel will face judgment?
Genesis 12:1-3 declares:
The Lord had said to Abram, Leave your country, your people and your fathers household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
Some Christians believe that any criticism of the state of Israel amounts to cursing the seed of Abraham. But its important to understand that honest, evenhanded confrontation of wrongdoing isnt a curse. If done out of genuine concern, it is a blessing (Psalm 119:71-75; Proverbs 3:12; Hebrews 12:7; Revelation 3:19).
The eleventh chapter of Romans implies that Jacobs physical descendants still have a place in Gods plans. But this doesn’t imply that concerned Christians cant be critical of modern Israel should it ignore Gods concern with justice, righteousness, and mercy. According to the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:1-3), Israel will not be restored to her place of blessing in the Promised Land at the price of injustice and violence (you will be a blessing . . . and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.). Further, other Old Testament prophecies (see Deuteronomy 28) make it clear that if the modern state of Israel depends on violence and injustice to take and maintain control of the land, she may find herself facing the same consequences as her ancestors.
You rely on your sword, you do detestable things. Should you then possess the land? (Ezekiel 33:26).
Some of the most outspoken critics of Israel were her prophets. God dispersed ancient Israel because of her moral and spiritual failures. Through the prophets, He declared His concern with justice and righteousness:
Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5:24).
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).
John the Baptist warned Jewish leaders of his day: Do not think you can say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father. I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire (Matthew 3:9-10).
Israel’s Messiah declared that national Israel would never experience Gods blessing until her people turned to repentance and obedience:
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord (Luke 13:34-35).
Both Peter (Acts 3:25-26) and Paul (Galatians 3:16) identify Jesus Christ as the seed of Abraham who offers blessing to the world. After Israels rejection of her Messiah, the church founded by Christ represents the spiritual seed of Abraham more truly than a physical descendant who doesn’t share his faith (Matthew 21:42-45; Romans 9:30-33 ):
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abrahams seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:26-29).
This is why Christians shouldn’t support Israeli injustice. In fact, Isaiah warned that nations supporting Israel in injustice will be judged along with her (Isaiah 31:1-3 ). Romans 2:9-11 confirms the spirit of the words of Isaiah:
There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.
Followers of Jesus should pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6) and offer themselves as peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). They should expose injustice and oppression wherever it is found. Christians should pray that both their national leaders and Israel will carry out their God-ordained tasks (Romans 13:1-7). Like Jesus and the prophets, Christians should encourage Israel to standards of just and merciful government befitting the true seed of Abraham.
