Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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5. I will bless those that bless thee and curse him that curseth thee. This made it a kind of a league, offensive and defensive, between God and Abram. Abram heartily espoused God's cause, and here God promises to interest himself in his.
(1.) He promises to be a friend to his friends, to take kindnesses shown to him as done to himself, and to recompense them accordingly. God will take care that none be losers, in the long run, by any service done for his people; even a cup of cold water shall be rewarded.
(2.) He promises to appear against his enemies. There were those that hated and cursed even Abram himself; but, while their causeless curses could not hurt Abram, God's righteous curse would certainly overtake and ruin them, Nu 24:9. This is a good reason why we should bless those that curse us, because it is enough that God will curse them, Ps 38:13-15.
6. In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed? This was the promise that crowned all the rest; for it points at the Messiah, in whom all the promises are yea and amen. Note,
(1.) Jesus Christ is the great blessing of the world, the greatest that ever the world was blessed with. He is a family blessing, by him salvation is brought to the house (Lu 19:9); when we reckon up our family blessings, let us put Christ in the imprimis--the first place, as the blessing of blessings. But how are all the families of the earth blessed in Christ, when so many are strangers to him? Answer,
[1.] All that are blessed are blessed in him, Ac 4:12.
[2.] All that believe, of what family soever they shall be, shall be blessed in him.
[3.] Some of all the families of the earth are blessed in him.