–
“And I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and I will give to your descendants all these lands. And all nations of the earth will be blessed through your offspring, because Abraham listened to my voice and kept my charge: my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”” (Gen 26:4–5, LEB)
In pouring out his blessing, God is demonstrating his love. One perspective of God’s blessing highlights the nations as the recipient of his blessing and regards the lineage of Abraham simply as the vessel. Another perspective identifies Abraham’s lineage as the recipient of so great a blessing that they will impact the world as a blessing to the nations. God’s perspective is all that matters with regard to his blessings. What does he have to say about the matter? Perhaps both are legitimate.
To begin with, why is the blessing given? And to whom does God profess his love? The first mention of this blessing in Genesis 12:3 places Abram squarely at the center of God’s interest and extends his blessing to the nations with the condition that they respect the people with whom God chose to cut a binding covenant . Abraham would pass on the values he learned from God to his posterity . God repeatedly describes how he will bless Abraham’s offspring with continuity, land and prosperity . The effect of that blessing onto the nations is sparsely mentioned in comparison.
We can know from God’s explanation to Isaac that Abraham is blessed because he paid attention to God’s words and responded appropriately . Those words comprise all of the values which must be understood in order to build a relationship with God. They include his terms and conditions (mishmereth) , ordinances for conduct (mitswah) , house rules (chuwqah) and instructions (towrah) . Each of these is described favorably in Psalms 19 and 119 as well as by the prophets of old. They are the very heart of God’s blessing to Abraham, his offspring and by extension to all the nations of the world.
Although we may read that, “God so loved the whole world …” , we also read that, “I never knew you who disregard torah.” Let’s consider who God loves according to his own words. Generally, God loves those who love him. Specifically, he loves Jacob and considers Abraham’s lineage the apple of his eye . The nations will be judged for their treatment of God’s chosen people but the blessing promised will not be withheld. Israel will experience their own judgment as well. After God executes his vengeance and re-establishes his covenant, the remnant of Israel will flourish and the nations will stream to Zion to learn those same principles that were handed down from Abraham.
Both perspectives are credible. Abraham’s lineage has served as a vessel for God’s instructions that will be a blessing to all the world. They have failed to preserve (shamar/keep) God’s torah from corruption and will be judged accordingly. Still, a remnant of Abraham’s offspring will receive compassion and inherit the land where God establishes his throne. Many nations will join themselves to him after that time and become his own people as well. The common thread that extends from Abraham to the end of time is God’s instructions that describe the values and activities that must be known and understood by anyone wanting to participate in his home.
The PDF below includes citations.
Just 1pilgrimhere 