Word of Encouragement (09/18/2024)
He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. 15 Remember his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, 16 the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, 17 which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, 18 saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan, as your portion for an inheritance." (1 Chron. 16:14-18)
We reflected on David’s description of the covenant God made with Israel, which was renewed and confirmed in three generations—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In v. 18, he gives an important element of the covenant: “To you I will give the land of Canaan, as your portion for an inheritance” (v. 18).
This promise of a land also showed the principle of God’s grace. At the time of God’s calling, Abram was an immigrant (Gen. 11:31) with no land of his own. What God meant was more than just a small piece of real estate, in which Abram could build his house and live; God meant a territory, in which his descendants, whom He would multiply and make as numerous as the stars in the sky (which he could count), could form a nation. What Abram did not have (offspring and land), God would give by His grace. What Abram was not, God would make out of Him—Abraham, the Father of many nations, and the Father of faith for God’s elect people, both Jews and Gentiles (Rom. 4:11-12).
David praises God for fulfilling His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants. God was pleased to unite all the tribes of Israel as one nation and subdue all the surrounding enemies under David’s kingship (2 Sam. 7:1). This was further solidified under Solomon’s reign: “But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune” (1 Kings 5:4). Yet, the history of redemption did not come to an end. Why?
God’s promise to the Patriarchs had two dimensions—temporal and eschatological (i.e., heavenly and eternal): the temporal was a picture of the eschatological. So, we see the mixing of the temporal language with the eschatological. Even in this passage, we read, “Remember his covenant forever” (v. 15). As God’s revelation develops to a fuller form, we learn that “forever” doesn’t mean an endless progression in this present age but a temporal description of the heavenly, eternal mode of existence, which will be inaugurated after the resurrection. For example, we read in Dan. 12:2-3, “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”
The same is true of God’s land promise to Israel. The land of Canaan was not Israel’s ultimate home. God told Israel, “The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me” (Lev. 25:23). How could the Israelites be “strangers and sojourners” in the promised land? Not only that the Levites and the Levitical priests were not given a portion in the land. These were the people, who were set aside to serve God in or near the sanctuary. How could they not receive any portion of the promised land? He could not have deprived them of the land if it were their true and ultimate inheritance. But God had something better for them. So, the Hebrews writer tells us, “By faith [Abraham] went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God” (Heb. 11:9-10).
We have received this better inheritance in Jesus Christ, a greater Joshua, who obtained it for us through His perfect sacrifice and righteousness. David’s greater Son reigns there. So, it cannot be taken away from us. This Immanuel’s land is invincible and indestructible. Its produce is abundant in season and out of season: we will enjoy it forever. Let us praise the Lord for His marvelous grace!