Our Promised Land of the New Covenant
When we recently built our house, many people referred to our new abode as our dream home. Since we were building, others assumed we chose to compile everything we ever wanted into our new residence. They believed we were acquiring our ideal.
I love my new home; however, we did not build my perfect castle-cottage. I don’t have a laundry room off my closet. We wish our garage had an additional two feet. My sweet Pastor husband did not agree to a full-time live-in chef, nor did we get a maid. Though my pantry is large, we did not construct a butler’s pantry. In addition, we discovered the best spot for the Christmas tree doesn’t have a convenient outlet.
The Promised Land
God promised the Israelites a specific place where they could plant roots and raise their families. Throughout scripture, the Biblical authors refer to this place as The Promised Land. God delivered them from slavery in Egypt, led them through the wilderness, and then empowered them to conquer a land flowing with milk and honey.
The idea of the Promised Land is even defined in Merriam Webster’s dictionary. “Something and especially a place or condition believed to promise final satisfaction or realization of hopes.” Merriam Webster even gives the following terms as synonyms: Camelot, Heaven, New Jerusalem, Shangri-la, Nirvana, utopia, Eden, fantasyland, Never-never land, and paradise.
In our culture, we assume we deserve the best. Moreover, as followers of Jesus, we often mistakenly believe we should receive something equivalent to Israel’s Promised Land. We conclude we merit abundant provision and freedom from being ruled by anyone else. We expect God to deliver our personal Promised Land equivalent.
A Place to Dwell with God
As I’ve read the Israelite’s story from Egypt to the Promised Land, I now understand God could’ve picked any plot of land. God’s promise really had nothing to do with the actual acreage, nor was He promising continual abundance. God was providing Israel a place to live where they could continually dwell with God, worship God, and learn to know Him intimately as their Sovereign King.
God provided Israel a space where they were to live in dependence on and obedience to Him. God designed a plan for Israel similar to His plan for Adam and Even in the garden of Eden. God did not promise abundance for abundance’s sake. God created covenant to generate intimate relationship.
The Promised Land for Us
The authors of the Torah teach us four truths about the Promised Land that we can apply to our relationship with Jesus.
A Gift from God
First, the Promised Land was a gift from God. Over and over, the authors of the Torah reminded the Israelites God was giving them the land. Furthermore, God was the One who would clear away the nations living in the land. God was Israel’s ultimate provider.
As New Covenant believers, we too must remember our relationship with Jesus is a gift. God is always the One reaching out to us; He begins the relationship. John 3:16 says, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (NLT) In addition, Romans 3:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NLT) (Emphasis mine.)
God is Sovereign
Second, God ruled as Sovereign in the Promised Land. God commanded the Israelites to obey ALL His commands. Plus, the Israelites offered sacrifices to remain ritually pure, allowing them to enter His holy presence. God also instructed the Israelites to demolish everything associated with other gods because they worshiped Yahweh alone.
As New Covenant believers, we too must grant Christ sovereignty over ALL areas of our lives. Consider what Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus.
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:3-8, NLT
We experience our promised land when we live united with Christ, made holy by Jesus’ sacrifice. God blesses us with freedom and forgiveness, as well as His kindness, wisdom and understanding. We abound with reasons to worship God alone.
Designed for Distinctive Living
Third, the Promised Land was a place where being distinct was normalized. The Israelites were called to be different from their surrounding neighbors. Unlike when they were in Egypt, the Israelites no longer had to conform to the culture around them to survive. In the Promised Land, God set the boundaries for behavior, relationships, and worship.
In Deuteronomy 7, we learn God would “clear away the many nations…” (verse 1), therefore the Israelites didn’t have to be concerned about dealing with and fitting in with those around them.
As New Covenant believers, we live in what Bible scholars term the already and the not yet. However, we also live amid our culture. We must live into the promises of someday fully living in God’s presence and not allow ourselves to be swayed by what our culture deems significant.
In Romans 8, Paul tells us we live in the present with the Holy Spirit, and we look forward to someday experiencing the full glory of God. He reminds us we are already adopted as God’s children, and we wait for our full inheritance. We can live with confidence because we live within the safety and generosity of God’s great love. “God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then can condemn us? No one –” (Romans 8:33b-3a).
A Place of Fulfilled Promises
Last, God fulfilled His promises to Israel in Promised Land. God promised abundance, provision, and protection. Over and over the Biblical authors talk about the covenant God made with Abraham, and how God kept His promise. Even into today’s culture, the Jewish people fight for the same land God promised to the twelve tribes because they believe the promise. It’s significant to note, Israel lost the Promised Land because they didn’t follow all the commands God laid out for them.
As New Covenant believers, we too live within the abundance, provision, and protection of God’s promises. And just like the Israelites, we remain in that safe space when we follow God’s way of living. I love Colossians 3 and the simple way Paul defines living this Christ-life.
- We are to think on the things of heaven, not on the things of earth.
- We are to live pure lives.
- We are to eliminate anger, rage, unkind treatment of others, unclean language, and lying.
- We are to get to know God, our creator.
- We are to be tender, merciful, kind, humble, gentle, patient, and forgiving.
- We are to love others and trust God in all things, believing He is fully in control.
- We are to fill our lives with His truth, share the good news, and worship Him with gratitude.
Children of the New Covenant
We are children of the New Covenant. We can live today in the Promised Land. This land is not a piece of property. Neither is this land the ideal home with a perfect job and the best family ever. We live in our land of promise when we dwell with God on His terms.
The Israelites did have to fight for their land. They also still had to plant crops and harvest. God didn’t miraculously provide food like He provided manna in the wilderness. We too have to fight to remain in our land of promise. We must say no to temptation and prioritize God over things our culture declares important.
I believe we can claim the assurance God gave Joshua as they prepared to possess the Promised Land.
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:7-9, NLT
