The Blessings Of Abraham

Then, we discover here that the Lord will bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. A messianic Jew I once knew pointed out how the Jewish people always seem to prosper and have plenty of money to lend. This is actually a well-worn and negative stereotype of the Jews, suggesting dishonest gain; but their prosperity can be tied to the blessings of Abraham. We too should lend and not borrow, since we are of the spiritual seed of Abraham. And then finally we read that: The LORD will make you the head and not the tail; and you shall be above only and not be beneath. So, we shall be exalted above others.

Once again, I want to quickly reiterate the blessings we receive as the spiritual seed of Abraham: We will be elevated and exalted socially; we will be an influence wherever we go; the Lord will protect us from harm; the Lord will provide for our daily needs, and even bless us with abundance to lend unto others! This sounds like some of the blessings that Jesus promised His followers. Pertaining to being an influence, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16). Relating to being protected, Jesus said in the Great Commission that if someone picked up a snake or drank poison that “it will by no means hurt them” (Mark 16:18). And then, in relation to having our daily needs met, Jesus said, “Do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ . . . For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matthew 6:31-32).

Time of Reflection

It is my hope that we’ve been able to see that God wants to bless His people! He also wants to bless any nation that stands with Israel. The Bible tells us that Gentiles who are part of the spiritual seed of Abraham are actually indebted to support the Jews. In Romans 15:25-27, the apostle Paul stated that the Christians in Macedonia and Achaia counted it a privilege to make a contribution to the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. In the Holman Christian Standard Bible, here’s what Paul had to say: “They were pleased, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits, then they are obligated to minister to Jews in material needs” (v. 27). Also, let’s not forget what Psalm 122:6 says: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May they prosper who love you.” May all who love Jerusalem and Israel be blessed!

Now, the greatest blessing of all is God’s one and only Son, Jesus Christ, who came into this world to die on the cross (John 3:16), and take upon Himself the penalty for our sins (Romans 6:23), so that we might be held blameless in the eyes of God (2 Corinthians 5:21), and so we would be able to enter into eternal life in God’s kingdom (John 3:16). So, how do we obtain this blessing? We are told in Romans 10:9, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” We receive this gift from God (Romans 6:23) by believing in what Jesus did for us on the cross, and by confessing our belief before others; and at the very moment that we receive Jesus in faith, we become engrafted into the lineage of Israel; and, therefore, we have access to “The Blessings of Abraham.”