Abraham's Blessing - Goes Around, Comes Around

"Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house ... And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee - Genesis 12:1-3

Perhaps most controversial of "Abraham's Blessing" is God's promise to actually bless and curse others according to their actions towards his people.

I have, actually, witnessed this. When people are kind to the followers of Christ their own lives go better.¹ Those who make one of God's children, the poor, or widows cry don't last long.²

When even fellow believers hurt each other, they only end up hurting themselves. I don't respond well to those who hurt my children or when my children hurt each other; I don't think God does, either.

Our response, even when hurt, is not to be vengeful but to offer a blessing³ and get out of the way - it is God who takes care of us.⁴

- fritz

^{1 - Matthew 10:42 - Even a cup of cold water
2 - Proverbs 23:10-11
3 - Luke 6:28 - Bless those that curse you
4 - Romans 12:19 - God repays, not us}

Abraham's Blessing - Being a Blessing

"Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house ... and thou shalt be a blessing ... and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. - Genesis 12:1-2

"Abraham's Blessing" is more than a promise, it's a calling. Abraham, and we in Christ, are called to be a blessing.

Abraham was a blessing to Lott by rescuing him.¹ Similarly, we rescue friends, loved ones, and co-workers, by being open with how Christ rescued us.²

Even more practical than just that, by following Christ's principles in our business practices we bless our company and community. Following Christ in our actions at home blesses our families with peace. Following Christ with our actions brings blessings upon our descendants. The aged psalmist wrote,

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." - Psalm 37:25

and in Proverbs we are told,

"the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered." - Proverbs 11:21

As we stand faithful to Christ we become God's blessing to others - it is our calling.

- fritz

^{1 - Lot's capture and rescue is reported in the Bible's book of Genesis, chapter 12
2 - 1st Peter 3:15 - Always be ready to share your hope}

Abraham's Blessing - Chased by Good

"Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, ... and I will bless thee..."- Genesis 12:1-2

Many years ago God appeared to Abraham and gave what is called "Abraham's Blessing". Passed down through the centuries it finally resides in Christ, Abraham's promised heir, and we, too, become eligible.

"Christ hath redeemed us ... That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ" - Galatians 3:13a, 14a

For us in Christ this has unique meaning.

There are six (6) things we get to participate in, not the least of which is the fact we no longer have to chase after the blessings we think we want.

When I follow Christ, God's blessings chase me!

This is precisely the meaning of Psalm 23 when it says,

"The Lord is my Shepherd ... Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life"

God is working all things for my good¹ as I love him and follow his call his blessings follow me.

- fritz

^{1 - Romans 8:23}

Abraham's Blessing - A New Nation

"Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house ... and I will make of thee a great nation ..." - Genesis 12:1-3

My affiliation with Christ enables me to participate in "Abraham's Blessing".¹

Part of that blessing is nation building - not a political nation, but a common bond of heart and soul that will culminate upon Christ's return to rule this earth.

Jesus told his disciples, "I will build my church".² The word, "Church" literally means "the called out ones." Called out of every nation and ethnic group are individuals who are to be part of his work in the earth. The call is generic in that anyone can participate if they desire to do so. It is specific in that only the ones tapped by God will say, "Yes!" Do you feel that draw to participate? It's him calling.

These are, collectively, the "Mountain that filled the whole earth" mentioned in the Bible's book of Daniel, chapter two.³ They are the temple of God building for his habitation.⁴ They are the "joints and ligaments" of the Body of Christ, helping it to grow into full maturity.⁵

Entering Christ has made me part of something bigger than myself, bigger than my nation, bigger than my time in history.

How cool is that!

-fritz

^{1 - Galatians 3:13
2 - Matthew 16:18
3 - Daniel 2:34
4 - Ephesians 2:22
5 - Ephesians 4:16}

Abraham's Blessing - God's Country!

"Christ hath redeemed us ... That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ" - Galatians 3:13a, 14a

Abraham's blessing, thousands of years ago, has unique meaning for participants in Christ.¹

That blessing, found in Genesis 12, includes six (6) things, the first and primary - ownership of a place in God's Country (and it's not Texas)!

"Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee ..." Genesis 12:1

God calls us, like Abraham,² to abandon our old ways and follow Christ to a land that he, himself, will reveal - to his kingdom on earth now, the Church, and ultimately to heaven prepared especially for us.

"I go to prepare a place for you ... And ... I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." - Jesus (John 14:2-3)

If there were no other blessings, no other promises, this would be enough!

Ah! But there is more!

- fritz

^{1 - Blog Post - November 8th, "Abraham's Blessing Like a Football"
2 - Blog Post - November 7th, "Abraham's Call - A Prototype"}

Abraham's Blessing Like a Football

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get ... unto a land that I will shew thee: And ... I will bless thee ... and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. - Genesis 12:1-3

Abram (later called Abraham) is significant for many reasons, not the least of which is his "Blessing". God made promises to Abraham which were to be passed from one person to the next.

His "Blessing" wasn't passed to all Abraham's children but to receivers who would carry it forward. Like a football, it was passed to Isaac¹ not Ishmael, to Jacob² not to Esau, down through the centuries until it was finally passed to Christ who passes it to us, both Jews and Gentiles, who accept Christ by faith.

Christ hath redeemed us ... That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ" - Galatians 3:13a, 14a

- fritz

^{1 - Genesis 21:12
2 - Genesis 28:3}