Why were the Israelites cursed by God?

Answer 1

The Israelites were "miserable" and numerous times in their history, including their slavery in Egypt, the Exodus, and the Babylonian captivity. Their misery was caused by different factors at each time, including mistreatment, low morale, lack of an organized society, and loss of national identity.

Answer 2

The Israelites weren't really lost in terms of not knowing where they were or where they were going. This they knew well, as did their leaders, particularly Moses, and ultimately God himself of course.

The Israelites in the 'first generation' which came out from Egypt were rebellious and did not want to go into the promised land, since, even though so many mighty miracles had been witnessed by them, they refused to believe God could bring them into Canaan. They indicated that they would rather go back to Egypt and so God punished them by 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, until all of that rebellious group had passed away.

Answer 3

Nowhere does God curse the Israelites. He does, however, state harsh warnings against Israelites who would practice idolatry and other sins (examples: Leviticus ch.26 and Deuteronomy ch.28), all of which have been fulfilled. The Torah does contain curses (Deuteronomy ch.27), but these are against sinners only, not the Israelites as a whole.

Answer 4

The Israelite's were cursed by God for their sins.