Get up and walk around the land, through its length and breadth, for I will give it to you." Get up and walk around the landThis command signifies an active participation in God's promise. Walking the land was a symbolic act of taking possession, a common ancient Near Eastern practice. It reflects a tangible expression of faith, similar to Joshua 1:3, where God tells Joshua that every place he sets his foot will be given to him. This act of walking is a precursor to the Israelites' later conquest and settlement of Canaan. through its length and breadth
The phrase emphasizes the vastness of the land promised to Abram. It underscores the comprehensive nature of God's promise, extending in all directions. This promise of land is central to the Abrahamic Covenant, which is foundational to the narrative of the Israelites. The land of Canaan, later known as Israel, holds significant historical and theological importance, being the stage for much of biblical history. for I will give it to you.
This promise is a divine assurance of God's faithfulness and sovereignty. It is a unilateral promise, not contingent on Abram's actions but solely on God's will. This promise is reiterated throughout Genesis (e.g., Genesis 15:18, 17:8) and is a key element of God's covenant with Abram. It foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment in the coming of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the true heir of all God's promises (Galatians 3:16). The land promise also points to the eschatological hope of a new creation, where God's people will dwell with Him eternally. Persons / Places / Events 1. Abram (Abraham)The central figure in this passage, Abram is called by God to walk the land that will be given to him and his descendants. His journey is a demonstration of faith and obedience. 2. CanaanThe land that God promises to Abram. It represents the future inheritance of Abram's descendants and is a significant location in biblical history. 3. God's PromiseThis event is a reaffirmation of God's covenant with Abram, emphasizing the physical and spiritual inheritance promised to him. Teaching Points Faith in ActionAbram's obedience to walk the land demonstrates faith in God's promises. Believers are encouraged to actively trust and obey God's guidance in their lives. God's FaithfulnessThe promise to Abram is a testament to God's faithfulness. Christians can find assurance in God's unchanging nature and His commitment to fulfill His promises. Spiritual InheritanceWhile Abram's promise was physical, believers today are reminded of their spiritual inheritance in Christ, encouraging them to live with an eternal perspective. Exploring God's PromisesJust as Abram was to explore the land, Christians are called to explore and understand the depth of God's promises through Scripture and prayer. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Abram's journey in Genesis 13:17 demonstrate his faith in God's promises, and how can we apply this in our own lives today? 2. In what ways does the promise of land to Abram connect to the spiritual inheritance promised to believers in the New Testament? 3. How can we actively "walk" in the promises of God in our daily lives, similar to Abram's physical journey through Canaan? 4. What does this passage teach us about God's faithfulness, and how can this understanding impact our trust in Him during uncertain times? 5. How does the command to "walk around the land" encourage us to explore and claim the promises God has given us in His Word? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12:1-3This passage introduces God's initial call and promise to Abram, setting the stage for the promise reiterated in Genesis 13:17. Hebrews 11:8-10This New Testament passage highlights Abram's faith, connecting his journey to the broader theme of faith in God's promises. Joshua 1:3Similar to God's command to Abram, God instructs Joshua to walk the land, reinforcing the idea of claiming God's promises through faith and action. People Abram, Canaanites, Lot, Mamre, Perizzites, ZoarPlaces Ai, Bethel, Betonim, Canaan, Egypt, Gomorrah, Hebron, Jordan River, Negeb, Sodom, ZoarTopics Arise, Breadth, Giving, Length, Rise, WalkDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 13:17 4803 breadth
4832 length
5197 walking Genesis 13:14-17 5477 property, land
7258 promised land, early history Genesis 13:15-17 4207 land, divine gift Library July 21. "Look from the Place Where Thou Art" (Gen. xiii. 14).
"Look from the place where thou art" (Gen. xiii. 14). Let us now see the blessedness of faith. Our own littleness and nothingness sometimes becomes bondage. We are so small in our own eyes we dare not claim God's mighty promises. We say: "If I could be sure I was in God's way I could trust." This is all wrong. Self-consciousness is a great barrier to faith. Get your eyes on Him and Him alone; not on your faith, but on the Author of your faith; not a half look, but a steadfast, prolonged look, with …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth August 11. "All the Land which Thou Seest" (Gen. xiii. 15).
"All the land which thou seest" (Gen. xiii. 15). The actual provisions of His grace come from the inner vision. He who puts the instinct in the bosom of yonder bird to cross the continent in search of summer sunshine in yonder Southern clime is too good to deceive it, and just as surely as He has put the instinct in its breast, so has He also put the balmy breezes and the vernal sunshine yonder to meet it when it arrives. He who gave to Abraham the vision of the Land of Promise, also said in infinite …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth The Importance of a Choice
'And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. And he went on his journeys from the south even to Beth-el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Beth-el and Hal; Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord. And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Land of Promise
"All the Land which thou seest, to thee will I give it."--Gen. xiii. 15. Gertrude of Hellfde, 1330. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 It was as if upon His breast He laid His piercèd hand, And said "To thee, beloved and blest, I give this goodly land." O Land of fountains and of deeps, Of God's exhaustless store-- O blessed Land, where he who reaps Shall never hunger more-- O summer Land, for ever fair With God's unfading flowers; O Land, where spices fill the air, And songs the golden towers-- …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series) The Wilderness: Temptation. Matthew 4:1-11. Mark 1:12, 13. Luke 4:1-13.
The University of Arabia: Jesus' naturalness--the Spirit's presence--intensity, Luke 2:45-51.--a true perspective--- the temptation's path--sin's path--John's grouping, 1 John 2:16.--the Spirit's plan--why--the devil's weakness--the Spirit's leading--a wilderness for every God-used man, Moses, Elijah, Paul. Earth's Ugliest, Deepest Scar: Jesus the only one led up to be tempted--the wilderness--its history, Genesis 13:10-13. 18:16-19:38.--Jesus really tempted--no wrong here in inner response--every …
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus Notes on the Third Century
Page 161. Line 1. He must be born again, &c. This is a compound citation from John iii. 3, and Mark x. 15, in the order named. Page 182. Line 17. For all things should work together, &c. See Romans viii. 28. Page 184. Lines 10-11. Being Satan is able, &c. 2 Corinthians xi. 14. Page 184. Last line. Like a sparrow, &c. Psalm cii. Page 187. Line 1. Mechanisms. This word is, in the original MS., mechanicismes.' Page 187. Line 7. Like the King's daughter, &c. Psalm xlv. 14. Page 188. Med. 39. The best …
Thomas Traherne—Centuries of Meditations Discourse on the Good Shepherd.
(Jerusalem, December, a.d. 29.) ^D John X. 1-21. ^d 1 Verily, verily, I say to you [unto the parties whom he was addressing in the last section], He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. [In this section Jesus proceeds to contrast his own care for humanity with that manifested by the Pharisees, who had just cast out the beggar. Old Testament prophecies were full of declarations that false shepherds would arise to …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist …
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 13:17 NIVGenesis 13:17 NLTGenesis 13:17 ESVGenesis 13:17 NASBGenesis 13:17 KJV
Genesis 13:17 Commentaries
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