Llife on the Land

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Key Connections: Understanding the Changes from the

 Old to New Testament

 

by M. A. Erickson (Wipf & Stock 2023)

 

The Old Testament includes a powerful vision of "life on the land" for the people of God. Below are key aspects of life on the land:

 

Life on the Land: A Vision for God’s People

 

“The covenant between God and Israel at Sinai and the further details of the Torah give a vision of life in the land under the guidance of God’s instructions and precepts (Exod 19:3–8; 24:1–8; 34:10–28). The nation that God was establishing on the land had to be able to transmit God’s principles, precepts, and revealed truth over many centuries in the midst of corruption. This would prove to be a major and epic challenge. Yet it can be clearly seen why this was so important. The teachings of the Torah were given to guide the Israelites’ relationship with God and their neighbors and to safeguard them from evil.”

 

“The vision of the covenant between Yahweh and the people of Israel was quite striking in its spiritual and ethical vision of what it meant to live on God’s chosen land, especially when you consider its very ancient background. The spiritual life of the people of God had to be sustained on the land. The vision of life in the land includes the following:

 

In the promised land, the poor, the blind, the widows, and other vulnerable people were to be protected (Lev 19:14, 33–34). Protections were established against sexual assaults such as rape (Deut 22:25–27), as well as incest (Lev 18:7–17; 20:11–12). The marriage covenant was to be honored; marriage was to be safeguarded from the destructive impact of adultery (Exod 20:14) and other forms of sexual corruption. Individuals and the community as a whole would be protected by these safeguards.”

 

“Protection was to be given to someone who accidentally killed another person (Num 35:6–15). Everyone in the land was to be protected from physical assaults and murder (Exod 20:13; Deut 19:11–13). Slanders and false accusations against people were prohibited (Exod 20:16; Lev 19:16).”

 

“These and other protections provided by the Torah in the promised land are sometimes overlooked as far as the impact they would have on life in the land, if followed faithfully. While Western thinking is often individualistic, the protections of the Torah were intended to protect the entire community.”

 

“Physical property was to be protected. Everyone’s property and belongings were to be protected from theft (Exod 20:15). The courts and people facing trial were to be protected from injustice or partiality (Lev 19:15). Bribery was forbidden, (Exod 23:8); false charges were forbidden (Exod 23:7); partiality was forbidden in verdicts of the courts (Deut 16:19; Exod 23:6). Every buyer was to be protected from merchants or other individuals using dishonest scales (Lev 19:35–36).”

 

“Protections were extended to non-Israelites in the land. Sojourners (those from other countries or those migrating) were to be protected from oppression (Exod 22:21). Exodus 23:9 is instructive: “You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt” (see also Deut 10:19; 24:14–18). Sojourners were to be under the protection of the laws of the land and were to be treated the same as the Israelites (Lev 19:33–34).”

 

“God’s holy name was to be protected from dishonor (Exod 20:7). The worship of the one true God was to be protected (Deut 5:6–8; Exod 20:2–4). God’s land and God’s people were to be protected from the corrupting influence of idols, a major negative influence in the surrounding cultures of that time (Deut 4:15–19; 12:1–4).”

 

“Provisions were made for the poor; landowners were to leave some of the harvest at the edges of the fields for the poor and the sojourner (Lev 19:9–10). Other provisions were given for the protection of the poor, the sojourners, and the widows, to guard them from being oppressed (Deut 15:1–15; 24:14–22; 26:13).”

 

“All people, including all laborers, were to be given a day of rest once a week (Exod 20:8–11). This included time for physical rest, as well as time with family and in remembrance of the works of the Lord (Deut 5:12–15). The land was to be given rest every seven years in order to be replenished (Lev 25:4–5); this was a provision of care for the land and for those who depended on the land. Concern was also expressed for animals. One was not to muzzle the ox while it was treading the grain, so it could also eat (Deut 25:4). In addition to being a day of rest for people, the Sabbath was so that one’s ox or donkey could rest (Exod 23:12; cf. Prov 12:10).”

 

“The land of every Israelite family was protected by inheritance laws (Lev 25:23–55). All of the Israelites were to be given land based on their tribal group (Num 36:1–9). One exception was the priests and Levites. Since they were committed to the service of Yahweh, they were given towns to dwell in throughout Israel (Num 18:20–24; Lev 25:32–34). The Lord was their inheritance (Deut 18:1–2). In ancient Israel, the land is ultimately owned by Yahweh, and Yahweh gives it to God’s people (previously slaves) so they have a land to dwell in.”

 

“Some instructions in the Torah expressed a concern for lost property and for safety. A lost animal or property which was found was to be returned to its owner (Deut 22:1–4). Houses were to have railings (“parapets”) on their roofs to prevent people from falling (Deut 22:8).”

 

“Broad principles were also given to guide one’s actions. These broad principles and instructions could be applied to many situations:

 

  1. Love your neighbor as yourself (Lev 19:18).

 

  1. Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deut 6:4–5).

 

  1. Do not wrong another person (Lev 25:17).

 

  1. Bearing grudges, slandering others, and taking personal vengeance were prohibited (Lev 19:16–18).”

 

“If the instructions and commands of God’s covenant were followed, life on the land and in their communities would have many positive dimensions. Family life would be honored and protected. People would be assured of fair treatment in the courts. Laborers would be assured of a day of rest every week. The poor would be taken care of. Theft would be prevented and so on. These laws applied to both the Israelites and the sojourners and foreigners dwelling in the land. All of these details of life were aspects of keeping their covenant with Yahweh. As we shall see, the prophets were zealous to safeguard these instructions of the Mosaic covenant, in order to safeguard life in the land under the protection of Yahweh. Corruption was a major concern.”     

 

 (from Key Connections: Understanding the Changes from the Old to New Testament (Erickson 2023 70-73).  Wipf and Stock Publishers. Kindle Edition.

 

“…Some areas of teaching from the Torah that impacted life on the land can be understood as accommodations to situations in ancient Near Eastern culture or special rules to safeguard Israel from syncretism or idolatry.”  (Erickson 2023, 73). 

 “…A number of these culturally based teachings in the Torah are set aside in the New Testament. Key areas will be considered in the chapters which follow.”  (Erickson 2023, 73). 

 

“…….The land is a powerful symbol to teach holiness for God’s people in the Old Testament (OT). The land could be defiled because of idolatry and corruption; eventually, if Israel continued in this corruption, the land itself would reject them just as the land had rejected the previous inhabitants of the land for their corruption (Lev 18:28). So 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.”

 

“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.”   Key Connections: Understanding the Changes from the Old to New Testament (Erickson 2023 74-75).  Wipf and Stock Publishers. Kindle Edition.

 

“…In the OT nation, the prophets challenged Israel to follow the Mosaic covenant, with strong prophetic words. God had promised that he would bless Israel and keep them safe on the land if they would follow the covenant requirements and teachings. Israel must stay faithful to the Mosaic covenant. This was necessary for the very survival of the nation.” (Erickson 2023, 206). 

 

Prophets and the Mosaic Covenant

 “The OT prophets often charged God’s people to keep the requirements of the Mosaic covenant with the Lord. Their words were often piercing and intense, calling for deep repentance. The covenant requirements reflected Israel’s commitment to Yahweh and one another and safeguarded the future of Israel on their land.” (Erickson 2023, 213). 

 

 “… The covenant requirements safeguarded marriage and all human relationships and protected human interactions in ways that were just and right. Society was protected from corruption and abuse…”  (2023, 213-214).

 

For more on this issue and other topics, see Key Connections: Understanding the Changes from the Old to New Testament (Dec. 2023, Wipf & Stock). Available on Amazon in Kindle, or print, at:

 

Key Connections: Understanding the Changes from the Old to New Testament

 

 

 **Concerning Key Connections: Understanding the Changes from the Old to New Testament, Dr. Roger Cotton, professor of Old Testament for many years at Evangel University / AGTS, wrote the following recommendation (from the back cover of the book):



“M. A. Erickson has written the best exposition I have seen of the changes and the continuity between the Old Testament and the New. He expresses it in very similar ways to mine so that this is the book I wish I could have written. He deals very well with difficult issues like the use of the sword in the OT but no longer by the communities of faith in Christ. All Christians, especially teachers, should read this book.”

 

 

 

For the dissertation research that provided the background work for Key Connections: Understanding the Changes From the Old to New Testament, see the book:

 Freely Gathered Communities of Faith and the Changes between the Testaments by M. A. Erickson (Wipf & Stock, 2019)  available at Amazon in Kindle and Print, at:

 

 Freely Gathered Communities of Faith and the Changes between the Testaments

 

 Recommendation on Freely Gathered Communities of Faith, and the Changes between the Testaments (Wipf & Stock, 2019):

 

L. John Bueno (1938-2024), former Executive Director, Assemblies of God World Missions, wrote the following (taken from the back cover of the book):

 

“It has always been an intriguing study to try and explain the fusion of the Old and New Testaments. By choosing three segments of this subject, Mark Erickson has brought much clarity and understanding to the entire process as he uses the land, the sword, and the Temple for illustration. This well-researched work is extremely helpful in understanding the plan of God for the redemption of humankind. I have personally benefitted from this excellent work.”

 

 

 

 

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