Genesis 12:3

will bless them that bless thee.

God's blessing was to extend to Abraham's friends and followers, and the enemies of Abraham were to be subject to God's curse. Abraham was called "the friend of God," but God was also his friend.

In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

This clause reveals the real reason why Abraham was called. It was not merely for his sake, or merely to found the Jewish nation, but for the sake of the spiritual blessing of mankind. "In thee" means "through thee," that is, through the seed of Abraham. It is so expressed in chapter 22:18, and 26:4. "In no sense can it be pretended that the nations of the earth have been blessed in Abraham and his seed, except as they are depositories of that divine knowledge which through them has become the heritage of the nations, and as the chosen race of which came the Messiah, the Redeemer of mankind. In this sense the promise, wonderful in the circumstances under which it was made, has been more wonderfully fulfilled."-- Conant. About 4000 years ago these words were uttered to Abraham. To-day we can look at the nations and see whether it has been fulfilled. Christ, the seed of Abraham, has changed the face of the earth, given it. new civilization, and filled the nations that rule the earth with his light.

Let it be observed that these promises were not made to. Jew; the Jewish race was not founded; Abraham was. Chaldean shepherd; it was not until many years later that he was circumcised as. mark of. national covenant. This grand promise of Christ, of. blessing upon an families, or nations, was given to. Gentile instead of. Jew.