The Promised Land & Our Eternal Inheritance

Theology of "The Land"

The possession of the “promised land” as an enduring inheritance passed from generation to generation is an object lesson about the permanence (and the conditions) of our eternal inheritance ahead. When God's people will be given life itself as a permanent possession.

Today, we will look at the "promised land" within the covenant, and the spiritual reality it points to.

Why Canaan?

YHWH could have promised His people land anywhere; Paraguay, Indonesia, South Africa... but He promised them a patch of ground  at that time referred to as Canaan... a land located at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe... a strategic location considering God's plan for Israel to be a teaching tool visible to all nations.

Deuteronomy 4:6-8 in this preamble to the second proclamation of the commandments YHWH states His intent... in a way more powerful than words, Israel would offer living proof of the value of His ways. This strategic purpose carries forward into the new covenant... God's chosen people provide living breathing witness to the benefits of living God's way 1 Peter 2:12.

The Previous Inhabitants

Genesis 11 is commonly called "the table of nations". It lists seventy distinct nations defined by their racial heritage, and by the lands they occupy. Race and territory are largely how human beings (untouched by biblical principles) define themselves. Proud descendants of our glorious forefathers... springing from the very soil of these rugged lands. Ex. Russians--> "mother Russia", mesoAmericans-->"children of the corn" etc.

The table of nations tells us that the land God promised to Israel was already occupied by a group of nations collectively called Canaan Genesis 11:15-20. Now we have a conflict because one chapter later God calls Abram out from his home in Sumeria... sends him to Canaan and promises to give that very land to Abram's descendants (Israel).

Israel would be a nation formed not by indigenous people who imagine themselves as rising up out of the native soil of their ancient homeland (like so many national mythologies like to think of themselves). Israel would be formed by God's calling to leave their native soil... go somewhere else... and take possession of this new land through a covenant.

Followers of Christ are also people called out and formed into a nation through covenant. If you allow God to write His commandments upon your heart... it will separate you from those around you. You will be a stranger in a stange land... no longer defined by bonds of nationhood, citizenship, or race.

Taking Possession

When it comes to the violence that ensues when Israel is sent in to claim the land... the modern mind reckons God as unfair... even genocidal… those poor Canaanites.

But consider this... the land belongs to God... He considers the people living there His tenants. God owns all the territories of earth but clearly has a special presence in this particular piece of ground... for example; Melchizedek is known to be present there reigning in Jerusalem as king and priest of "the most high"... even during the days of the Canaanites.

God, the landlord, is not pleased with the people of Canaan and He wants them to vacate the premises so He can bring in some new tenants. He intends for the new tenant to serve the purpose of properly (and effectively) representing Him to the rest of the world. But, the Canaanites don't want to leave... so, YHWH is going to force them out.

Exodus 23:28-30 God tells Israel He will drive out the Canaanites before them... He says He will use swarms of hornets to drive them out... down to the last one of them Deuteronomy 7:20. This worked on some cities Joshua 24:12-13. But most of the Canaanite cities stubbornly held on. They wouldn't be driven out so God would use his newly formed army of Israel to make it happen.

Deuteronomy 20:10-18 since the hornet technique didn't work on most of them YHWH would surround them with His vast army and say "give up or die". If they refused this final offer they would die. Note: for cities outside Canaan the women and children would be spared... but for the Canaanites every last person would be put to death. Presumably, Canaanite people who surrendered would be driven out of the land and every trace of them would be destroyed.

Under the new covenant we are to bring every thought into submission to Christ, and put to death the old person we were. To purge our life of that which is offensive to God and self destructive to ourselves. To come into the fullness of our spiritual inheritance we must allow God to cleanse us from sin.

YHWH’s Message to the World

Deuteronomy 4:39 the conquest of the land is the basis for recognizing YHWH's claim to dominion over all the earth's territories, "It's all mine and I will give to whom I please". People can write songs and sermons about God's sovereignty over all the earth but nothing speaks louder than action.

Numbers 14:16 when the people rebel Moses argues that destroying them in the wilderness would cause a great slander...the YHWH's sovereignty would be doubted. The nations will say God does not have the power to take away lands and give them those to whom He pleases.

Deuteronomy 28:9-10; 15 their obedience and blessing would demonstrate in the eyes of nations that YHWH was the one who gave them the land.

God's Message to Israel

Genesis 17:8 God spoke of the land as an everlasting possession... something He would give them which no tyrant, no soldier, no thief could take from them. They could live safe and secure.

The everlasting nature of the gift of the land comes to the forefront when God calls it an inheritance. A gift that would pass from parent, to children, to grandchildren from generation to generation. Elsewhere in within the covenant God would give them certain statutes and judgments to ensure that the possession of land by each and every family in the nation would be protected as a sacred trust.

Deuteronomy 19:10, 14 the parameters of God’s gift must not be changed or altered by human design, whether well meaning or malicious.

Leviticus 25:23 the land could not be permanently sold. God's statutes and judgments put in place multiple legal mechanisms to ensure that that the land He gave would return to the people He gave it to. For example; the 50 year cycle of Jubilee, the rights and responsibilities of the kinsman redeemer (who could buy the land back at any time for the sake of his relatives) etc.

Within the new covenant. The inheritance we desire is eternal life. We receive that life not because of our personal righteousness outweighs our sin... we receive our eternal inheritance only at God's good pleasure Romans 6:23, 3:20-24.

The new covenant also speaks of this gift from God as our inheritance: Ephesians 1:14, 18 (the inheritance is eternal life itself), Colossians 3:24 (inheritance also includes reward), I Corinthians 15:50 (inheritance relates to a role withing the rule of God on earth and in the universe, note: the specific role we play is our reward which is based on the lives we live 1 Corinthians 3:10-15).

First, that eternal inheritance is the gift of self sustaining life itself. Second, our inheritance is the reward we receive based on the lives we have lived. A reward that gives us a place and position of authority within the kingdom of God… the rule of God on earth. Some will have greater reward than others.

1 Peter 1:4-5 God’s gift of cannot be taken from you, will not deteriorate or fade away.

The Role of Righteousness

Deuteronomy 7:7-11 God gave Israel the land... not because they were especially righteous, higher quality than others... He used them as a teaching tool. Through His interactions with Israel He wants to be known as the God who can be counted upon to fulfill His wonderful promises no matter how outrageous they sound to flesh and blood.

God gave them the sure promise of the land before they had done either good or evil. He followed through and gave them the land in spite of the evil they did do. But once they were in the land of promise He expected them to live according to His ways… live in a way pleasing to Him.

They could throw away the gift so freely and graciously given by acting in way that was displeasing to God... which did not fit His strategic purpose for giving them the land.

Deuteronomy 28:12-15, verse 36,45,64 including losing possession of their inheritance

Under the new covenant, we have a sure promise of eternal inheritance. God says we have already been given eternal life through the down payment of the holy spirit within. But you also have the freedom to throw it away.

Your eternal inheritance is promised to you by God who is faithful and reliable. And so, coming into full possession of your inheritance is something you can look forward to in confidence and faith. And God wants you to have this faith… He is pleased when you show trust in Him.

But, having been brought into this great inheritance through the deposit of the holy spirit you should live in a way that is pleasing to Him ... to walk in the fruits of the Spirit, to walk in His commandments, to do His will. (Luke 12:32, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, Hebrews 10:5-7;11:6).

Repentance and Restoration

Deuteronomy 30:1-5 you all know that Israel lost their possession of the promised land because of their sin. But even withing the bombast of judgment God says “there is a way back”.

Israel’s loss of the land of pro is once again a teaching tool God used. Within the pages of Israel’s history God is shown as righteous judge of bad behavior showing no favoritism for people based on race or station.

Israel was restored to the land… And in this way God shows Himself as forgiving and compassionate to those who are willing to see the light and change their ways IE. repent.

Within the new covenant  you have been brought into the hope of eternal inheritance through the forgiveness of sin made possible through Jesus Christ. But the battle to drive sin out of your life still rages. Have confidence knowing that His blood is there to cleanse and atone for your and advocate for you with the Father. I John 1:8 - 2:6.

Judgment and repentance are now upon the household of God. We must deal effectively with sin.

I Corinthians 6:9a the fullness of your inheritance is waiting to see what manner of person you are.