Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Genesis 12:3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 12:3 And I will bless (do good for, benefit) those who bless you, And I will curse [that is, subject to My wrath and judgment] the one who curses (despises, dishonors, has contempt for) you. And in you all the families (nations) of the earth will be blessed." [Gal 3:8] |
Subject: Do you still refuse to bless Israel? |
Bible Note: The Old Testament also says: Exodus 21:12 He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. And Again, Exodus 21:23-25 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. Do you do this too? Or do you think that this was used as a symbol of God's Justice? You can't pick and choose which Old Testament passages you wish to follow. Either follow them all, or alternatively, you could believe that God is painting a picture of a deeper spiritual message, and of things to come. The deeper meaning is that the "eye for an eye" approach was used as a description of God's perfect justice. In the New Testament era, putting someone to death, or "an eye for an eye" became something different, "He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone", and, "And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other..." You see, these things became different when Christ came. The same is true with the nation of Israel also. Don't just shake your head, "no", first remember how Christ said he came to fullfill. What do you think he meant by "fullfill"? Do you think he was wasting his breath? No, of course not. He did in fact fullfill the law AND the prophets. Just as things took on a new meaning, and things were used as symbols, the nation of Israel is not exempt from this. Israel too, was a symbol of God's eternal Church. To make that point even clearer, in Galations 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Does this make sense? Do you see something strange in that passage? Paul is saying that if you beleive in Christ, then you are Abraham's seed! Does that mean that you are his descendant, no it doesn't. Think about that one. Please understand, I am not trying to argue with you. I just beleive that it is the duty of every Christian brother and sister to look after and strengthen each other in this battlefield called life. We must continually strive to better understand the Word of God, keeping in mind that we are not perfect as God is, and that we WILL make mistakes. Knowing we are not perfect, we must keep studying the Word of God, and praying, that we fully understand what God is showing us. May God Bless, and enrich you. John |