During a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, Cruz once again promoted the interpretation of Genesis 12:2-3 that mandates Christians support the modern nation-state of Israel. After all, if the US blesses Israel, we will be blessed. But is this a correct understanding of the passage in light of the multitude of other passages in the New Testament dealing with the Israelites and the "true" Israel of God?
The short answer is no, it is not. Not by any stretch of the imagination. Well, okay. It's a little stretch, but still one nonetheless. The thing is, the New Testament is very clear on who the true Israel of God is, and it's not ethnic Israel. Modern Israel is a thoroughly secular state with no connection to ancient Israel except in name only. Now, that's not to say we can't support them as an ally, only that scripture has nothing to do with it. In fact, one need only look at the Old Testament covenant curses against Israel and then look at the conditions for restoration in Deuteronomy 30 to see that the current nation is not, Biblically speaking, a restoration of ancient Israel. Plus, we have to factor in New Testament revelation of who the Messiah is and what Israel's continued rejection of Him means in light of all of this.
Back to the main point, the phrase: "Bless those who bless Israel" is not actually in scripture. It's inferred, but even Paul explains what that means in Galatians 3, and it had everything to do with Israel being the one through whom the Messiah and the gospel would come. Supporting them was to support God's redemptive plan for mankind. Now that that's completed, and Israel rejected her Messiah, what does it mean to bless Israel? If Paul identifies the true seed of Abraham as Christ and not ethnic Jews, what does that mean for Genesis 12?
Again, there's a lot of things people just don't take into consideration, and I deal with all that and a little more in the video.
