Thinking Prophetically: The Future of Anti-semitism, Hamas and Those that Contravene the Promise of God to His People

Thinking Prophetically: The Gaza Conflict and the Promise of Genesis 12:3

Welcome to a new initiative at Father’s Heart Ministry called “Thinking Prophetically.” In this seminal post, we will explore the promise made by God in Gen. 12:3 as it relates to us as individual believers and as it applies to world affairs, specifically the recent rise of anti-semitism and unrest in the Middle East. When God called Abraham, He to bless those who bless His chosen people and curse those who curse them. This promise is found in Genesis 12:3 and has significant implications for believers on both individual and global levels, especially in the context of the Hamas/Israeli conflict.

[Gen 12:3 NKJV] 3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Despite the complexity of international conflicts, we can find comfort and inspiration in God’s promise as it applies not only to people of faith but to all of humanity, even those who reject the underpinnings of Judeo-Christian culture as individuals and on the world scene, such as the recent atrocities in southern Israel and Gaza. The verse above is a reliable predictor of what is in store for all those who chant “From the River to the Sea” while rejoicing at the unthinkable violence perpetrated upon innocent Israeli civilians. At the same time, as we consider these things on an international scale, we may also seek to understand and grasp how these truths apply to us as individuals in the conflicts we face at home, in our communities, on the job, etc. As Christians, we live under the sovereignty of a God who can and will intervene in the affairs of men and nations to honor His word and promises. This message seeks to examine what this promise means for us as believers and specifically for those who embrace anti-semitism and groups seeking the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people. Our exploration of God’s Word aims to bring illumination and insight, deepen our faith, and inspire us to be vessels of His blessings to those around us.

One theme related to the main idea of God’s promise to bless those who bless His chosen ones is the concept of obedience. When God made this promise to Abraham, He called him obedience and faithfulness. What was the basis of Abrham’s obedience? It had nothing to do with religious law because the law was not passed down till the time of Moses. Obedience in Abraham’s life derived from an intimate, daily, moment-by-moment face-to-face relationship with God, who called him out of Ur of the Chaldees into a land that would be revealed to him in time. To be blessed, Abraham had to trust in God’s plan and follow His commands. This reminds us that our blessings are often tied to our obedience to God’s will, not as adherence to religious legalism but obedience to the faith. Did you know that faith is more than trust? It entails obedience on our part, as Paul stressed in the following passages from the book of Romans:

[Rom 1:5 NKJV] 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,

[Rom 16:26 NKJV] 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith–

Just as Abraham’s blessings resulted from his obedience to the faith, we, too, can experience the same when we align our hearts and actions with God’s desires. In return for Abraham’s faithfulness, God’s surety to Abraham and their heirs is that He will bless those who bless them and curse those who curse them. Interestingly, an alternate wording here would be, “I will execrate [from your life] those that even trifle with you.” Do you see this? God doesn’t just deal with those who come against His people in earnest; He militates against those who even TRIFLE with them, either you as an individual or His people as a whole.  Do you have people in your life who are trifling with you, if only out of boredom and simple cruelty? God will EXECRATE them from your life according to Gen. 12:3. That word EXECRATE is where we get the word EXCEMENT or feces. I don’t know what that might be like but it surely would not be very pleasant!

God Will Execrate from Your Life Those who Even Trifle with You

Another theme related to this verse in Gen. 12:3 is the importance of unity and support within the body of Christ for one another, the Jewish people, and the nation of Israel. God made this promise to an imperfect man. Abraham made mistakes. He had errors in judgment. He acted foolishly on occasion and without wisdom. Yet God protected and defended him even in his failures and shortcomings, JUST AS HE WILL PROTECT you and, for that matter, protect the nation of Israel even though they, as a people, have not embraced Jesus the Messiah as yet, in their history. God’s promise to bless those who bless His chosen ones teaches us the significance of standing together as believers and supporting one another. We are called to be a family united in love and compassion. When we bless and support our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, we bring joy and encouragement to their lives and invite God’s favor and blessings upon ourselves. This encourages us to build strong, meaningful relationships within our faith communities, lifting each other up and being a source of blessing and encouragement to one another.

God not only protects and cares for you, furthermore, this promise reveals God’s heart for all nations and peoples. In saying, “And in you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed,” Many times we don’t see God coming to our defense because we have failed to commit to the obedience side of the promise of Ge. 12:3 to “be a blessing.” God underscores in our passage His desire to extend His blessings to all people. I personally have had people work against my happiness, prayed diligently for my demise, even my death, and others who just entertained themselves by trifling in my affairs and over time I’ve seen them EXECRATED from my life and experience things that STINK (as excrement does, of course) and never learn the lesson that their accusations however well founded did not authorize them to be less than a blessing to me, as I am obligated to be a blessing to others even those who seem my detriment. How about you? Sometimes, even TWO believers who are inheritors of Gen. 12:3 come against one another, and what happens? God just takes His hands off their lives and allows them to experience the consequences of their actions, leaving them hurting, confused, and frustrated while never letting up on their vehement mistreatment of one another. 

The Future of Hamas and Antisemitism according to Gen. 12:3

What about the Palestinians? Does this promise include Palestinians? Yes, specifically to Palestinian Christians are suffering and dying under barrages launched by IDF forces; let us not forget. They may not be wishing harm on IDF forces or upon Israel but they are under a government that does. Thus while God’s blessing touches their lives individually, they nonetheless experience God’s EXECRATION upon the nation they are part of. This is what happened to Lot in Sodom. Lot was righteous, but he suffered, and his family suffered because they chose Sodom as their dwelling place regardless of the iniquity therein (2 Peter 2:10). Additionally Lot’s servants trifled with Abraham’s servants and thence we see behind the scenes Gen. 12:3 when God moved Abraham to send Lot away into what looked like preferred territory but in the end Lot and his people lost their destiny, his wife became a pillar of salt and his daughters incestous harlots who gave birthed to the nation of Ammon and Moab, nations who fell under the EXECRATING hand of God for centuries until they were wiped from the earth.

What is happening here? Bear in mind that your experience of God’s superintendence over the earth manifests on a personal level in response to your individual faith but also affects you in terms of the nation you live in, whether that nation acquiesces to the sovereignty of God acting in defense of His people and fulfillment of the Genesis 12:3 passage. As believers, we are called to carry this message and be ambassadors of God’s love, accountability, and the Father’s sovereignty over the world, a blessing to those who bless His people and “execration” upon those who act in contravention of the well-being of His people individually and as a nation. What is our portion? We are called to bless others, regardless of their background or nationality, yes, but at the same time letting our tongue cling to the roof of our mouth, restraining foolish words as we see God honoring His promise toward us and toward His people even on the world stage. This challenges us to break down barriers, tear down walls of division, and extend God’s love and blessings to all people, just as He intended so that we are part of the solution and not part of the problem thus bringing the negative aspect of His execrating hand because we are inadvertently trifling with those whom God has sworn to defend even if He defends them against YOU..

Our Actions Bring God’s Hand Upon Our Lives in Response to His Promise Not Just to Us but to All His People, Even Those We Don’t Approve Of.

Continuing on a personal level, this verse reminds us of the power of our words and actions. It emphasizes the consequences of our treatment of God’s chosen ones. When we bless and show kindness to others, we reflect God’s heart and invite His blessings into our lives. On the other hand, when we curse or mistreat God’s chosen ones, we risk inviting God’s displeasure and judgment upon ourselves. This serves as a sobering reminder to be mindful of how we treat others, for our words and actions have the potential to either bless or curse. Genesis 12:3 holds a promise that goes beyond the surface. It speaks to the themes of obedience, unity, God’s heart for all nations, and the power of our words and actions. As believers, may we truly grasp the depth and significance of this promise, allowing it to shape our lives and relationships. May we strive to bless others, show kindness and support to our fellow believers, and extend God’s love and blessings to all people. Through this, may we be living testimonies of God’s faithfulness and vehicles of His blessings in a world in need?

Furthermore, this promise also highlights the importance of obedience to God’s word. By blessing God’s chosen ones, including believers as the Children of Abraham through Faith, we align ourselves with His purposes and submit to His authority. Obedience is not always easy, especially when it goes against societal norms or personal desires. However, choosing to obey God and bless His people is a powerful act of faith that opens the floodgates of His blessings in our lives. In addition, this promise reminds us of the value of unity within the body of Christ. We are called to stand together as believers, supporting and encouraging one another in our faith journey. When we come together in unity, we become a force to be reckoned with and witness the fullness of God’s blessings. Through our collective love and compassion, we can truly impact the world and bring about positive change.

Moreover, this verse challenges us to confront our biases and prejudices. It compels us to examine our hearts and actively work towards tearing down walls of division. Regardless of our background or nationality, we are all part of God’s family and deserving of His blessings. This promise calls us to overcome cultural and societal barriers, extending God’s love to every corner of the earth. Additionally, this verse prompts us to consider the role of social justice in our lives as believers. God’s promise to bless those who bless His chosen ones includes seeking justice for the oppressed and marginalized. It calls us to actively work towards the betterment of society, advocating for the rights and well-being of all people. Our responsibility is to align our hearts with God’s and stand up against injustice in all its forms. Lastly, this verse reminds us of the need for accountability within our faith communities. It calls us to support and hold one another accountable, ensuring our actions align with God’s will. Through this accountability, we can grow in our faith and become vessels of God’s blessings.

Conclusion: The Relevance of God’s Promise to Us Personally and Among the Nations

In conclusion, Genesis 12:3 encompasses various relevant and crucial themes in our lives as believers. It challenges us to be obedient, unified, and inclusive in our love and support for one another. It also compels us to work towards social justice and hold one another accountable actively. As we embrace these themes and allow them to shape our lives, we become living testimonies of God’s faithfulness and instruments of His blessings to a world in need. Furthermore, this verse also highlights the significance of humility and selflessness. We must put aside our self-interests and agendas to truly bless others and be vehicles of God’s blessings. We must humbly recognize that God works through us and empowers us to make a difference in the lives of others. Our words and actions should reflect this humility as we seek to lift others up and bring God’s love and blessings into their lives.

Moreover, this promise invites us to have a global perspective and a heart for all nations. God’s heart beats for every person, regardless of nationality or background. As believers, we are called to extend God’s love and blessings to all people, breaking down the barriers that divide us. We are called to be bridges of reconciliation and agents of peace in a world that is often plagued by division and conflict. Additionally, this verse urges us to cultivate a spirit of generosity. When we bless others, we sow seeds of goodness and kindness into their lives. Our generosity can take many forms, whether through financial support, acts of service, or simply offering a listening ear. By giving of ourselves and our resources, we open ourselves up to receive even greater blessings from God. Furthermore, this verse challenges us to examine the power of our words and actions. The promise of blessing is not passive; it requires us to actively engage in acts of kindness, love, and support. Our words have the power to build up or tear down, to encourage or discourage. Our actions can either reflect God’s love or detract from it. Therefore, we must be intentional in our speech and behavior, ensuring that it aligns with God’s heart and brings about positive change in the lives of others.

This promise encourages us to have a long-term perspective. The blessings that come from obeying God and blessing His chosen ones may not always be immediate or tangible. They may unfold over time or even extend beyond our lifetimes. It requires faith and trust in God’s timing and provision. We must be patient and persistent in our obedience, knowing that God’s promises are always fulfilled in His perfect timing and according to His divine purposes. In conclusion, Genesis 12:3 encompasses a range of interconnected themes that are essential in our lives as believers. It challenges us to be humble and selfless, to have a global perspective and a heart for all nations. It calls us to be generous in our words and actions and consider their impact on others carefully. It urges us to have a long-term perspective and continue our obedience even when we may not see immediate results. As we embrace these themes and allow them to shape our lives, we become living testimonies of God’s faithfulness and agents of His blessings in a world hungry for love and kindness.