S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

In Deuteronomy 4:40 the Lord gave the Israelites this command: "Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you ...

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January 10 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Did God give Israel the Promised Land forever?

To understand whether God gave Israel the land permanently, we must examine the covenant passages in context. Scripture presents both God's unconditional promise to Abraham and Israel's conditional enjoyment of the land.

1. The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:18-21; 17:7-8)

God first promised the land to Abraham when He called him from his homeland.

"Unto thy seed will I give this land." (Genesis 12:7)

In Genesis 15, God formally established the covenant. During the covenant ceremony, God alone passed between the divided animals, showing that the promise's fulfilment rested on His faithfulness rather than Abraham's performance.

"Unto thy seed have I given this land." (Genesis 15:18)

Later God described the land as:

"An everlasting possession." (Genesis 17:8)

This covenant was unconditional. God bound Himself to the promise and repeated it to Isaac (Genesis 26:3-4) and Jacob (Genesis 28:13-15). The covenant guaranteed that Abraham's descendants would inherit the land.

2. The Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19; Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28)

Several centuries later, God entered into a covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai.

Unlike the Abrahamic Covenant, this covenant contained blessings for obedience and penalties for disobedience.

"If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments." (Leviticus 26:3)

God promised prosperity, protection, and peace in the land. However, rebellion would result in famine, defeat, and eventual exile.

"And I will scatter you among the heathen." (Leviticus 26:33)

The Mosaic Covenant did not cancel the Abrahamic Covenant. Instead, it governed Israel's experience within the land. Their possession was guaranteed by promise, but their enjoyment of its blessings depended upon obedience.

3. The Palestinian or Land Covenant (Deuteronomy 30:1-10)

Moses foretold a future scattering because of national disobedience.

Yet he also predicted a future regathering.

"The Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations." (Deuteronomy 30:3)

This passage anticipates restoration after judgment. Even after exile, God would bring Israel back because of His covenant commitment.

4. The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16)

God promised David a royal dynasty and an enduring kingdom.

"Thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee." (2 Samuel 7:16)

This covenant connects Israel's future, the land, and the coming Messiah. Christ, the Son of David, is the ultimate fulfilment.

5. The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-37)

The New Covenant promises spiritual renewal for Israel.

"I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts." (Jeremiah 31:33)

God then links Israel's future to the fixed order of creation.

"If those ordinances depart from before me... then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever." (Jeremiah 31:36)

The covenant looks forward to a restored relationship between God and His people.

Conclusion

The covenant passages reveal two complementary truths. The Abrahamic Covenant gave the land to Abraham's descendants as a divine promise that God pledged to fulfil. The Mosaic Covenant determined whether Israel would enjoy the blessings of living in that land. Because of disobedience, Israel experienced exile, yet the prophets consistently pointed to restoration. Throughout Scripture, God remains faithful to His covenant promises while holding His people accountable for their response.

Explain whether the land promise is conditional. Compare the Abrahamic and New Covenants. Show how the New Testament interprets these promises.

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