Be a blessing

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." (Emphasis added)

Having told Abram to get up and go, God promises three things for Abram-to make him a great nation, to bless him and make his name great.

How did God do on these promises? Abram became Abraham, the father of many nations. His descendants cover the face of the earth. Abram was blessed by God in every way. Gen 24:1, 35. And God made Abram's name very great. He is the friend of God. He is the first of the patriarchs. All converts to Judaism are called binei Avraham (children of Abraham) and Christians are heirs of Abraham. Yea, he has a great name indeed.

What is Abram to do? Vihiyeh bracha "Be a blessing." The Hebrew of the Torah is written without punctuation. The phrase, "and you will be a blessing" can be read as a promise or as a command. The rabbi at shul reads it as a command. And it is the first positive command given to Jews (since Abraham is considered the first Jew).

This first covenant between God and Abraham puts obligations on both sides. God will give Abram children, bless him and make his name great. Abram has to do his part by being a blessing.

What does it mean to be a blessing? Have you ever met anyone or heard of anyone and thought, that person is a blessing? Would you like people to think of you as a blessing? What do you think that takes?