Unpacking Ted Cruz’s Claim: Is Supporting Modern Israel Biblically Mandated?

In a contentious interview between Senator Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson, the U. S. Senator from Texas boasted that one of his primary motivations is to be the leading defender of the modern state of Israel.

Carlson questioned the senator about why he made such a strong statement regarding a nation other than the United States.

Cruz explained: “As a Christian, growing up in Sunday school, I was taught from the Bible, those who bless Israel will be blessed and those who curse Israel will be cursed. And from my perspective, I want to be on the blessing side of things.”

Carlson: “Of the those who bless the government of Israel?”

Cruz: “Those who bless Israel is what it says. Doesn’t say the government. It says the nation of Israel. So, that’s in the Bible. As a Christian, I believe that.”

Carlson: “Where is that?”

Cruz: “I can find it to you. I don’t have the scripture off the tip of my .... You pull out the phone and use...”

Carlson: “It’s in Genesis, but so you’re quoting a Bible phrase. You don’t have context for it and you don’t know where in the Bible it is, but that’s like your theology. I’m confused. What does that even mean?”

Cruz: “Tucker”

Carlson: “I’m a Christian. I want to know what you’re talking about.”

Cruz: “Where does, where does my support for Israel come from? Number one, because biblically we’re commanded to support Israel, but number two.”

Carlson: “Hold on. Hold on, you’re a senator and now you’re throwing out theology and I am a Christian and I’m allowed to weigh in on this. We are commanded as Christians to support the government of Israel?”

Cruz: “We are command to support Israel. And we’re told...”

Carlson: “What does that mean Israel?”

Ted Cruz “We’re told those who bless Israel will be blessed”

Carlson: “Hold on. Define Israel. This is important. Are you kidding? I this this majority Christian country.”

Cruz: “Define Israel? Do you not know what Israel is? That would be the country you’ve asked like 49 questions about.”

Carlson: “So that’s what Genesis, that’s what God is talking about?”

Cruz: “The nation of Israel. Yes.”

Carlson: “So does, is that the current borders, the current leader? He’s talking about the political entity called Israel?”

Cruz: “He’s talked about the nation of Israel. Yes, nations exist and he’s discussing a nation. A nation was the people of Israel. They’re the descendants of Abraham.”

Carlson: “Is the nation God’s referring to in Genesis, is that the same as the country run by Benjamin Netanyahu right now?”

Cruz: “Yes. Yes, it is.”

The entire interview can be viewed on x.com (formerly Twitter).

This exchange raises important questions about biblical interpretation. Can we apply promises made to individuals thousands of years ago to modern international politics?

What does the Bible say about these promises, and who are they intended for?

Let’s examine what Scripture actually teaches about these blessings.

The Original Promises in Genesis

The statements about blessing and cursing Abraham and his descendants are found in two passages in the book of Genesis. First, a general promise was made directly to Abram in Genesis 12:3.

Secondly, a similar blessing was pronounced by Isaac to Jacob in Genesis 27:29, when Jacob deceived his father with the help of his mother. Let’s examine each of these blessings.

The Promise to Abraham

In Genesis 12:3, God tells Abraham: “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Note that this promise was made personally to Abraham, not to a future nation. Furthermore, it was a promise connected to a future blessing for “all the families of the earth.” This is not even remotely connected to a modern political movement, but to the coming of Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16, 29).

Whether Ted Cruz’s political positions have merit or not is one question. But his theology and understanding of the Bible are woefully lacking.

The Promise to Jacob

Similarly, in Genesis 27:29, Isaac tells Jacob: “Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you... Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!”

Again, we must comment on Senator Cruz’s lack of biblical knowledge.

This blessing was from a father to a son, although we acknowledge it as an inspired one. However, the pronouncement was prophetic of Jacob’s descendants as the nation from whom the Messiah would come. It was part of God’s plan that would ultimately lead to Jesus, not a modern political state.

And if Senator Cruz is going to be consistent, then all nations must serve and bow down to the modern political state of Israel. Is this really what the Texas senator believes?

Our political world is in a constant state of chaos, partly because of bad theology mixed with bad policy.

How to Properly Understand the Bible

To understand the Bible correctly, we must first examine the literal meaning in its original context, but we must also consider its historical background.

Words like “Israel” need to be appropriately defined, particularly considering historical context and biblical usage. We must also ensure that our interpretation aligns with the entirety of the Bible. God is a God of truth, and our interpretation must harmonize with all Scripture.

When we apply these common-sense rules of interpretation, we see that applying promises made to individuals in ancient times to a modern nation doesn’t align with proper Bible study methods.

Who Is “Israel” in the Bible?

In the Bible, “Israel” can mean three different things:

• A man (Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel in Genesis 32:28)
• The ancient nation of his descendants
• God’s spiritual people (Galatians 6:16; Romans 9:6-8)

Cruz makes a mistake when he says the modern country of Israel is the same as the Israel in Genesis. The Bible doesn’t support this view.

God’s Promises Had Conditions

Senator Cruz and many others who claim to be Christians support the modern state of Israel for religious reasons that fail to consider several important principles.

First, God’s blessings require obedience

Genesis 18:19 shows that Abraham needed to “keep the way of the Lord” to receive what God promised him. Deuteronomy 28:1, 15 clearly states that blessings come with obedience, and curses with disobedience.

The fact is that throughout the history of biblical Israel, they constantly rejected God and his Law. They were frequently cursed by God himself and evicted from their land.

Ultimately, the Jews rejected their own Messiah. In doing so, they sealed their judgment in crucifying Jesus. Jesus himself said:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem... How often would I have gathered your children together... and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate.” (Matthew 23:37-38)

He predicted the destruction of Jerusalem because “you did not know the time of your visitation.” (Luke 19:43-44)

The Destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70

Jesus prophesied that the temple would be destroyed (Matthew 24:1-2), which happened in AD 70. This showed that the old system had ended, just as Hebrews 8:13 says: “What is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”

Who Receives the Blessings and Curses Now?

The New Testament teaches that Christ’s disciples are the true nation of Israel. “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” (Galatians 3:29)

God made “one new man” out of Jews and Gentiles in the church (Ephesians 2:11-22)
God’s promises now belong to spiritual Israel—all believers in Christ

The Problem with Using the Bible for Politics

Basing our foreign policy on misunderstood Bible verses is dangerous. The Bible calls us to be faithful to Jesus as our Lord (Master), not to pledge servile allegiance to any modern nation other than to obey the laws of the land and live in peace.

God’s plan isn’t about one political nation but about saving people from every nation through Jesus.

What This Means for Christians Today

The modern nation of Israel doesn’t have a special divine status in the New Covenant. God’s true people today are those who belong to Christ, not those with a certain ancestry. Supporting Israel politically might or might not be wise, but it isn’t required by the Bible.

Conclusion

Ted Cruz’s use of Genesis 12:3 and Genesis 27:29 to justify political support for modern Israel doesn’t match what the Bible actually teaches. When we read the Bible carefully and in context, we learn that:

• The promises were conditional and required obedience
• They are fulfilled in Jesus Christ and His church
• They were never meant to guide our foreign policy thousands of years later

Christians should limit their political views on careful study of both the Bible and current events, not on promises taken out of context.

See also the article by Wayne Jackson, God and the Nation of Israel.