God's judgment, Israel & the nations

God's initial call to Abram/Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3) includes the promise that global good news would go forth through his seed (Gen. 12:3b). Paul says this is the gospel to the gentiles. The scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the gentiles through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In you shall all nations be blessed (Gal. 3:8).

This promise included Abraham's offspring, as shown by Isaac passing it on to Jacob (Gen. 27:29). Even though Isaac thought he was speaking to Esau, God confirmed it twice to Jacob (see Gen. 25:23): when Isaac later knowingly blessed Jacob (Gen. 27:33) and when God blessed Jacob as he fled Esau (Gen. 28:12-15).

As a prelude to His promise, God placed divine protection on Abraham. I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you... (Gen.12:3a). Hundreds of years later Balaam pro-phesied this protection over all Israel (Num. 24:9). Although the nation struggled to walk with God - like father Jacob - God forbid Balaam to curse them. (Num. 22:12b; cp. 23:7-10, 19-23) God placed this protection on the nation of Israel for His glory and for the sake of the gentiles. As Yeshua declared to a gentile woman, salvation is from the Jews (John 4:22b).

God's curse falls on all whom Satan inspires to despise the Jews/Israel (see WFJ #1, 2009), and it has a global dimension. History shows nations rise and fall according to how they relate to Israel because, thus says YHWH of hosts, After the glory has He sent Me unto the nations which spoiled you [Zion]: for he that touches you touches the apple of His eye. (Zech. 2:8; cp. Deut. 32:10)