Jesus was a Jew, a physical descendant of Abram. Yet he came to earth not only for the Jewish people. Jesus died for the sins of all who believe, whether Jewish or not. He rose again, for the price was paid. Notably, many Jewish people who did not trust in Jesus would not be blessed through Jesus. And many who were not Jewish and who did trust in Jesus would be included.

Look at the end of Genesis 12:3:

“In you [that is, Abram] all the families of the world shall be blessed”.

That’s a big claim that needs a little further attention.

Remember the context of Genesis 12; it has come just after a long list of nations and people in chapters 10 and 11. The tower of Babel showed that people were divided by God based on language. By Abram’s time, there were already many nations in the world. They were hopelessly confused, separated, diverse groups of people. And God says that this plan with Abram will benefit them, all these other people. In fact, because of Abram, all the families of the world shall be blessed.

Abram was the father of the Jewish people. He is claimed as the patriarch of the nation. And yes, the Jewish people were special, chosen people, important to God’s plan. But God’s plan was never supposed to be limited to Abram and his descendants, however blessed they might be. In context, it would also apply to those scattered through Babel, and those descended from the cursed line of Ham.

As we read through the Bible, we do see hints that the Jewish people saw this in their history.

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