Changes Regarding the Land

Changes Regarding the Land

Nation, Land, and Armies

 “The Old Testament people of God are a nation, dwelling on a specific land. Any nation must have land for its people to live on. The nation’s land will have boundaries—borders that identify the nation’s territory. The specific borders of the nation of Israel are described in Numbers 34, introduced by the words “this is the land that shall fall to you for an inheritance, the land of Canaan as defined by its borders” (Num 34:2). A specific list of geographical markers is then given.” (Erickson 2023, 38)

 “………without the use of force (or the protection of a larger nation’s army) any nation would obviously be powerless and would be overrun or destroyed by any adversary that chose to do so. These very basic factors were quite significant in the ancient world and remain so today. Nations still use force to protect their borders” (Erickson 2023, 38-39).

“…the promised land is a major focus of the Old Testament. A large majority of the Old Testament is focused on the nation of Israel: its creation, sustenance, and challenges. The nation had to have a land—so God used the land itself as a teaching tool, a paradigm for holiness and God’s favor” (Erickson 2023, 51).

 “…..The land is a powerful symbol to teach holiness for God’s people in the OT. The land could be defiled because of idolatry and corruption; eventually, if Israel continued in this corruption, the land itself would reject them” (Erickson 2023, 51).

 “…holiness is tied to the land. Maintaining their place on the land and God’s blessing on the land is based on following God’s covenant” (Erickson 2023, 51).

 “The Mosaic covenant that God made with the people of Israel included a powerful vision of what life in the land would be like if God’s people kept their side of the covenant agreement. This covenant was also intended to safeguard the transmission of God’s ways and principles over many centuries of time” (Erickson 2023, 52).

 "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)

 “Christ’s teaching focused on the kingdom of God, not on a political kingdom or a land kingdom that is captured by military power in this world; rather, it is a kingdom that would eventually encompass an entirely transformed earth, the final reckoning, and all of eternity. This is seen at numerous points in his kingdom parables and other teachings. Jesus did not focus on the OT land promises because he did not come to establish a kingdom of this world (John 18:36).” (Erickson 2023, 57).

Jesus and the Ultimate Inheritance

 “Jesus reveals the ultimate inheritance of God’s people and the future transformation of the entire earth that is coming. This is seen at a number of points in his teaching. Since eternal life is central to Christ’s message, the final judgment and the age to come encompass all of humanity. For example, in the parable of the weeds told by Jesus (Matt 13:36–43), the field is the world (Matt 13:38), so the sphere of the Son of Man’s kingdom is thus the entire world. The harvest is the end of the age, when evildoers will be removed completely, and “the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matt 13:43). This speaks of the ultimate inheritance of the righteous in the kingdom of God” (Erickson 2023, 57).

 ….The ultimate vision is the new heavens and the new earth (2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1). This takes place at the end of the age (Rev 21:1–27).” (Erickson 2024, 58).

  Excerpts are 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