This promise given to Abraham echoes through history with stunning relevance: “All nations will be blessed through you.” This wasn’t a narrow promise for one people group or culture—it was a universal declaration that transcended boundaries, languages, and traditions.
Abraham received this promise nearly 250 years before the Law was given. His original name, Abram, meant “exalted father,” but God would change it to Abraham—”father of a multitude.” In that transformation, he understood life wasn’t about personal exaltation but about nations across the whole world.
“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 ‘I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” 4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.” (Genesis 12 v 1-5)
Today, Christians exist in every nation. The church represents a diverse multitude of people and languages. The work continues among specific ethnic groups bound by common culture, language, and identity. Even hidden people groups isolated from others are being reached with this promise of blessing.
We would never ask someone from a different ethnic group thousands of miles away to live out their faith exactly as we do in the Western world. The God of the west is the God of the east, north, and south—the God of all nations.
The blessing Abraham received wasn’t about wealth, though he was wealthy. It was about right standing before God—a blessing available to everyone, of every tribe, language, and culture, without adopting the practices of other nations.
This means people culturally different from us are family, heirs, and full members of God’s kingdom. They must be treated as such—accepted and blessed.
The promise remains active: “All nations will be blessed through you.” This happens through faith in Jesus and the transformation that comes through His work on the cross. When we first followed Christ, we were identified with His death and resurrection. His new life became ours. His power became our power.
The streets may hold division and hatred, but there are places of refuge. Churches should be safe places of acceptance where every person, regardless of background, can encounter blessing. Today, people need to go through Jesus to their blessing—and we’re called to help them find that path.
Let’s be people who don’t divide but who bring blessing to all nations.
Missions Paul 