The Promised Land

It seems there is perpetual war in the Middle East. Although history reveals certain periods of peace, the reality that people have been fighting over a sliver of land for centuries should make us ponder. Where is the promised land that God offered to Abraham?

When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.  And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”  Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him,  “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.  No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.  I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come forth from you.  And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.  And I will give to you, and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

Genesis 17.1-9

Was God promising actual dirt to Abraham? At first glance it appears as if God promised a place for His people to live at peace. That idea creates a problem. Either God didn’t promise ‘dirt’ or He failed to fulfill His promise. God never goes back on His promise.

There have been too many wars and too many centuries the Jews lived outside the Promised Land for the ‘promise’ to be about dirt. It must be something else. If not dirt, then where is the Promised Land? God hasn’t promised ‘dirt’. He promised Heaven.

When we read today’s passage ‘through the eyes of the resurrected Christ’ we understand the Promise is more than dirt. God gave us the Garden and then removed us. He gave us the land of Canann and then removed us. Then He came Himself with the answer.

“My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight.

John 18.36

Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am He.  The coastlands have seen and are afraid, the ends of the earth tremble; they have drawn near and come.  Every one helps his neighbor, and says to his brother, “Take courage!”  The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who smoothes with the hammer him who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good”; and they fasten it with nails so that it cannot be moved. But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.  You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all.  For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I will help you.”  Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I will help you, says the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 41.4-14

The Jews must have lost sight of God’s Promise, so the Prophet reminded them. God chose us from the farthest corners of the earth. He strengthens us. He helps us. He is our redeemer. We have nothing to fear, so why bother fighting over land? We are only sojourners here anyway.

Stop looking for dirt and look for heaven. If we can gain something from Great Lent, I pray we can gain a better perspective on God’s promise. Instead of fighting each other, fight the devil and temptation. Instead of holding on to earthly pleasures, hold on to God’s promise.