Should Christians Bless Israel?

May 22 2026

Nasso "Elevate!"

TORAH: Numbers 4:21-7 | PROPHETS: Judges 13:2-25 | GOSPEL: Luke 1:11-20

The Torah Portion Nasso contains one of the most well-known blessings in all of Scripture: The Aaronic Blessing - the Priestly Blessing found in Numbers 6. Through Aaron and the priesthood, God instructed Israel to speak blessing over His people.

But what does this mean for believers today? Should Christians bless Israel?

The Priestly Calling of Believers

In the New Testament, believers are described as a “kingdom of priests.” Through Messiah, Gentile believers have been brought into God’s covenant purposes alongside Israel. This priestly identity carries responsibility.

In Genesis 12:3 and Numbers 24:9, God declared that those who bless Abraham’s descendants would be blessed. This promise continues to echo throughout Scripture and reveals something important about God’s heart toward Israel.

When believers bless Israel, we are not elevating one people group above another. Rather, we are aligning ourselves with God’s covenant purposes and speaking life over the people through whom salvation came to the nations.

Romans 11 and Israel’s Restoration

Paul addresses this mystery clearly in Romans 11:

“So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.” — Romans 11:11

Paul explains that Israel’s stumbling opened the door for salvation to spread among the nations. Yet this was never meant to end Israel’s story. Instead, the salvation of the Gentiles was intended to stir Israel back toward her Messiah.

How do Gentiles provoke Israel to jealousy in a Godly way?

Not through arrogance or a replacement theology, but through genuine love, humility, and gratitude. When believers walk in the blessings of God while honoring the Jewish roots of their faith, they reflect the covenant love of the God of Israel.

God’s Jealous Love

Nasso also includes the difficult passage concerning jealousy between a husband and wife. While challenging, this section reveals something profound about God’s character.

Throughout Scripture, God describes Himself as jealous for His bride. Both Israel and the Church are warned against spiritual adultery — bringing the world into covenant relationship in place of wholehearted devotion to God.

When God’s people live divided lives, fruitfulness is affected. Spiritual compromise produces barrenness. Yet even in failure, God’s covenant faithfulness remains.

The beauty of Scripture is that despite the failures of both Israel and the Church, God continues to pursue His people with steadfast love.

From Sinai to Pentecost

The giving of the Law at Mount Sinai took place during the season later associated with Pentecost. At Sinai, the Law exposed sin but could not transform the human heart.

Tragically, about 3,000 people died after Israel’s rebellion with the golden calf.

But in the New Covenant, something extraordinary happened.

At Pentecost in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit was poured out, and about 3,000 Jewish souls were saved. What the Law could not accomplish outwardly, the Spirit began accomplishing inwardly through transformed hearts.

This is not the replacement of Israel’s story, but its fulfillment through Messiah.

One Bride, One Kingdom Plan

Scripture paints a beautiful picture of unity between Jew and Gentile within God’s redemptive plan. Like Boaz and Ruth, believers from the nations are brought near and joined into a covenant story much larger than themselves.

God’s bride is made up of both Jew and Gentile together under the Messiah.

When each embraces their God-given role with humility and faithfulness, we begin to see the beauty of God’s Kingdom revealed more fully in the earth.

Nasso reminds us that God’s covenant love has never failed. His desire is still to restore, unite, and dwell among His people.

Happy Shavuot - Pentecost!!

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NEXT PORTION May 29 2026 B'ha'alotkha "In Your Setting Up"

TORAH: Numbers 8:1-12:16 | PROPHETS: Zechariah 2:14-4:7 | GOSPEL: Matthew 14:14-21