Changes Regarding the Land

Changes Regarding the Land

Quotes from:

Key Connections: Understanding the Changes from the Old to New Testament by M. A. Erickson (Wipf & Stock Dec. 2023).

"Why are wars and battles featured as often as they are in the OT? The land is one of the key reasons. Land is a basic requirement for a nation. Any nation must have a land, and any nation will face war at some times in its history. Israel had a land uniquely promised to them by God. And not only Israel, but nations throughout history have had military forces or police forces of some kind to defend their land and to protect themselves against lawbreakers."(2023, 4)

"Israel is told that if they obey God and keep the requirements of the covenant, God will bless them and defend them in their land (Deut 28:1–14). But if Israel departs from God and the covenant, they are warned that they will be defeated before their enemies. They will no longer abide in safety in the land (Lev 26:14–17)." (2023, 4)

"When we look at changes from the Old to New Testament, two key issues are what happens to the land and the sword. There are some very significant changes in these areas, and there are profound reasons for these changes. In the Old Testament, land and sword (the use of force to protect the land) have an incredible impact on the nation of Israel. When we move to the New Testament there is transformation. A major change is that Jesus did away with the use of the sword for his disciples, as we shall see. As communities of faith in Jesus begin to be established in many lands, they are never instructed by the teachings of Jesus or the apostles to use force to capture territory." (2023, 36)

 Excerpts taken from:

Key Connections: Understanding the Changes from the Old to New Testament by M. A. Erickson (Wipf & Stock Dec. 2023). The book is available in print or Kindle formats at Amazon.com, at:

 Amazon.com, Key Connections: Understanding the Changes from the Old to New Testament