Historical Evidence that God Keeps His Promises Regarding Those who Bless and Curse Israel

Historical Evidence that God Keeps His Promises Regarding Those who Bless and Curse Israel

We can find an early example of this promise of blessing in action in the New Testament. In the Book of Luke, Chapter 7, verses 1 through 10, we see the story of a high-ranking Roman soldier, who blessed the Jews by building them a synagogue. When his servant, whom we learn he cares for very much, becomes deathly ill, the Jewish elders go to Jesus and explain that this soldier has blessed the Jews, and deserves help. Jesus immediately heals the sick servant.

Consider our more recent example of Hitler. As the twentieth century’s most infamous example of a persecutor of the Jews, what happened to Hitler? He shot himself, and had his followers burn his body. Germany, now well recognized as the leading nation in persecution of the Jews, had been a major world power before WWII. But after that country’s persecution of the Jews, they have never again since the end of the war gained the world prominence that they held before Hitler.

Spain again illustrates the curse principle on a national scale. In 1492 an expulsion edict was announced, giving Jews only 2 months to leave Spain or convert to Catholicism. No money, jewels, gold or other portable forms of wealth could be taken out of Spain. Catholics were forbidden to receive Jewish property which was therefore confiscated by the state. Some Jews sold large farms and all they owned for a donkey to pack a few personal belongings on to leave Spain. Jews who remained were forced to become Catholics, under pain of torture and death for refusal. Under Queen Isabella, Spain had been a world power, capable of financing expeditions to the New World, and claiming large portions of the Americas for the glory of Spain. Within a hundred years after the expulsion of the Jews, Spain was no longer a dominent world power. They never again rose to such prominence in world affairs as they held before their persecution of the Jews.

Martin Luther is best known for being the father of the Reformation, leading the Protestant church in its break from Catholicism. Opinion of him ranges from classifying him as a saint, empowered by God, to saying he was a heretical apostate. Regardless of where you feel he lies on this scale, he made one big mistake – maybe it was a fatal one! After starting his break from Catholicism with complimentary remarks towards Jews, he became bitter when they didn’t conform to his dream by converting to his new vision of Christianity. In 1542 he wrote a small anti-Semitic book titled Of the Jews and Their Lies. Then in 1546 he continued in this vein in his remarkably hateful tract entitled Concerning the Jews and Their Lives. In this work, he stated: “First, their synagogues or churches should be set on fire. And whatever does not burn up should be covered or spread over with dirt so that no one may ever be able to see a cinder or stone of it.” He continued with his advice that the homes of Jews should be totally destroyed, rabbis should be forbidden to teach and passports should be denied to Jews. What was the result of this anti-Semitic screed? Does God bless those who bless Israel, and curse those who curse Israel? Luther died just days after penning his booklet cursing Israel.

The United States may be the most interesting example of God’s promise. We have been Israel’s best, and at times, only friend on the world stage. Even with that, we have a dismal record, doing such things an turning away passenger ships filled with Jews during WWII, forcing them to return to Germany and certain death. But we’ve done better than any other nation, helping Israel many times, including during the 1967 Six-day war. Although our help for them during that conflict was very late and minimal, at least we were on the right side when we finally acted. America has blessed Israel. This nation continues to be a superpower – a status forfeited by the only other superpower, the Soviet Union, after Regan made them “tear the wall down.” The Soviet Union was well known, and still is, for persecuting the Jews. Some say that the only reason God does not bring judgment on this nation is that we are friends with Israel. For whatever reason, we are still prosperous. We bless Israel!

Some of the above examples may be coincidence (although I don’t believe that), but the general trend is unmistakable. Those who bless Israel will be blessed. Those who curse Israel will be cursed. It is seen to be applicable to both nations and individuals.