Does God Bless Those Who Bless the Jews?
By Rev. Jack Cascione

 

We read in Genesis 12:3 "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."

Today many American Baptists, Pentecostals, and like-minded Christians believe the above passage is justification for financing the migration of Jews to Israel. Luther comments on the interpretation of this verse in Volume 2, page 262-264 of Luther's Works as follows:

"But consider this too: whether those who bless the Jews and intimately associate with them are blessed. There are obvious examples, not only of private individuals but also of great princes, who can bear witness concerning this blessing that they experience because of their intimacy with Jews, namely, that they are being ruined with respect to fortune, body, and soul.

"But perhaps the Jews will object that the psalm (109:11) says: 'May the creditor seize all that he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil!' They will say that the Jews do not experience this from Christians, but the Christians from the Jews; for it is well known how much harm they cause the state with their excessive interest."

'My answer is this: In the first place, reason itself teaches that interest or usury is contrary to nature and for this reason is actually a sin. Therefore Christians have the rule (Luke 6:35): 'Lend, expecting nothing in return.' Those who are disciples of Christ observe this rule and beware of interest as of a real sin. Moreover, experience also shows that riches gained in this manner are cursed by the Lord and do not last. Therefore if the Jews consider interest or usury a blessing, let them enjoy it. For it is certain that it is a sin; and a sure penalty is attached to this sin, as Scripture teaches again and again, and as the Jews themselves prove by their own example." . . .

"Hence this is a most powerful argument to support our religion and faith and to refute the deceitful Jews, namely, that they have lost everything promised here to Abraham, and especially what is promised last, that the blessing will spread from the seed of Abraham to all the families of the earth."

"They are hard pressed by this reasoning. Therefore they prate that this statement was fulfilled in Solomon, the son of David, and that he was blessed by the nations, that is, was renowned and was praised by everybody. But what has it to do with the text if he was blessed or praised by others? What the words mean is this, that this seed will bring a blessing to all nations. Now what did Solomon bring to the nations?"

"Therefore this text clearly compels us to confess that the Messiah or Christ has long since come and was revealed, and that He brought a spiritual and eternal blessing with Him into the world. When the unbelieving Jews rejected this and would not have it, it was brought to the heathen. But the wretched Jews were deprived of both their material and their spiritual blessing, as experience demonstrates. They have now been living for almost one thousand five hundred years under great hardships and in uninterrupted captivity, and they have nothing of the promises of which the Lord is speaking here. If God is truthful in His promises, then they must be liars; and through their unbelief they have forfeited these promises and are no longer the seed of Abraham to which these promises were given."

Apart from Luther's comments above, the greatest blessing that can be given to anyone is the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. This Gospel only comes from the mouths of Christians.

Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. . . .19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. 20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. 21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.


Rev. Jack Cascione is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church (LCMS - MI) in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. He has written numerous articles for Christian News and is the author of Reclaiming the Gospel in the LCMS: How to Keep Your Congregation Lutheran. He has also written a study on the Book of Revelation called In Search of the Biblical Order.
He can be reached by email at pastorcascione@juno.com.

March 14, 2002