Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Pleasant Land" is one of the many designations for the Holy Land, a region of profound significance in biblical history and theology. This term reflects the land's divinely ordained beauty and abundance, as well as its spiritual importance to the people of Israel.
Biblical References:The phrase "Pleasant Land" is notably used in the book of Zechariah. In
Zechariah 7:14 , the prophet recounts God's judgment upon Israel, stating, "I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations they had not known. Thus the land was left desolate behind them, with no one coming or going. They made the pleasant land desolate." Here, the term underscores the contrast between the land's inherent beauty and the desolation brought about by the people's disobedience.
Similarly, in
Zechariah 2:12 , the Lord declares His intention to reclaim and restore the land: "The LORD will inherit Judah as His portion in the Holy Land and will again choose Jerusalem." This passage highlights the land's enduring status as a cherished possession of God, destined for restoration and blessing.
Theological Significance:The designation "Pleasant Land" emphasizes the Holy Land's role as a tangible expression of God's covenant promises. It is a land flowing with milk and honey, a symbol of divine provision and favor. The beauty and fertility of the land are seen as reflections of God's goodness and faithfulness to His people.
Throughout the Old Testament, the land is portrayed as a gift from God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is a place where God's presence dwells, where His laws are to be observed, and where His people are to live in accordance with His will. The land's pleasantness is not merely physical but also spiritual, as it is the setting for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
Historical Context:Historically, the Holy Land has been a focal point of conflict and conquest, yet it remains a central element of Jewish identity and hope. The Babylonian exile, referenced in Zechariah, serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. However, the promise of return and restoration underscores the enduring hope tied to the land.
Contemporary Relevance:For Christians, the Holy Land holds a special place as the backdrop of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a land that continues to inspire pilgrimage and devotion, serving as a reminder of the biblical narrative and the fulfillment of God's promises through Christ.
In summary, the term "Pleasant Land" captures the essence of the Holy Land as a place of divine blessing, historical significance, and spiritual promise. It is a land that, despite its tumultuous history, remains central to the faith and hope of God's people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 106:24Yes, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:
Torrey's Topical TextbookDaniel 8:9
And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Woman of Samaria
... Assyria, and settled them in the Holy Land, instead of ... out of their pleasant native
land, to slavery ... I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxvi the woman of.htm
The Land and the People.
... A talmudic tract is called Beza, The Egg, after this famous ... [165] W. Hepworth Dixon
(The Holy Land, ch ... was a small town, situated in a fold of land broadly open ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 17 the land and.htm
Cyrus.
... by the mouth of Isaiah, God had called Cyrus by name ... and that he would build up the
Holy City and ... himself had been carried away from the pleasant land, and well ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xii cyrus.htm
The vineyard of the Lord
... Genesis 12:2. It was a high honor to which Abraham was called"that of ... as the tower
in the vineyard, God placed in the midst of the land His holy temple. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/the vineyard of the lord.htm
The Wilderness.
... days after their coming out of Egypt, He called them round ... forth to the eye how there
was a Holy Place, whence ... he was sentenced not to enter the land, but to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson iv the wilderness.htm
The Career of the Antichrist
... perpetually (according to the record of Holy Writ) carries ... he turns his face toward
the pleasant land, which is ... exalt himself above all that is called God, or ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the career of the antichrist.htm
Letter Lxxi. To Lucinius.
... in Cornelius, "centurion of the band called the Italian ... on the plain or upon the
pleasant gardens; [2219 ... these are watered not, as the holy land, from heaven ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxxi to lucinius.htm
Coming to the King.
... The post which she was called to occupy was no easy ... his bounty, to return to the
far-off land, and to ... or convention, or the early hour of holy closet communion ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a ribband of blue/coming to the king.htm
The Wilderness
... He called it sometimes the wilderness whereunto the Lord ... all around, and yet within
that land of God ... and flowers of pleasant odours, the holy patterns left to ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xxxi the wilderness.htm
The Redeemer's Prayer
... They are called God's inheritance, for they are especially ... doctrine, "is full of
sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable ... torn by the flinty acres of the Holy Land? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the redeemers prayer.htm
Resources
What is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? | GotQuestions.orgQuestions about the Holy Spirit (All) | GotQuestions.orgWhat is "Holy Blood, Holy Grail"? | GotQuestions.orgHoly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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