Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of the "Holy Land" holds a significant place in biblical theology, representing not only a geographical region but also a spiritual inheritance for the people of God. The land promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is often depicted as a tangible symbol of God's covenantal promises. However, the continued enjoyment and possession of this land were contingent upon the obedience of the Israelites to God's commandments.
Biblical FoundationThe promise of the land is first articulated in Genesis, where God makes a covenant with Abraham, saying, "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates" (
Genesis 15:18). This promise is reiterated to Isaac and Jacob, establishing the land as an enduring inheritance for their descendants.
Condition of ObedienceThe condition of obedience as a prerequisite for remaining in the land is a recurring theme throughout the Pentateuch and the historical books. In Deuteronomy, Moses emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's laws as a condition for prosperity and longevity in the land. "If you carefully obey the LORD your God and follow all His commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth" (
Deuteronomy 28:1). Conversely, disobedience would lead to curses and eventual exile, as outlined in
Deuteronomy 28:15-68.
Historical FulfillmentThe history of Israel as recorded in the Old Testament reflects the conditional nature of their tenure in the Holy Land. The period of the Judges and the monarchy illustrates cycles of obedience and disobedience, with corresponding periods of peace and turmoil. The ultimate consequence of persistent disobedience was the Babylonian exile, a fulfillment of the warnings given through the prophets.
Prophetic Warnings and PromisesThe prophets consistently called the people back to obedience, warning of the dire consequences of continued rebellion. Jeremiah, for instance, proclaims, "But if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to walk in His law which I set before you, then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth" (
Jeremiah 26:4-6). Yet, alongside these warnings, the prophets also held out hope for restoration, contingent upon repentance and renewed obedience.
New Testament PerspectiveIn the New Testament, the concept of the Holy Land is expanded to include the spiritual inheritance of believers. While the physical land remains significant, the emphasis shifts to the Kingdom of God, which is entered through faith and obedience to Christ. Jesus underscores the importance of obedience in the Sermon on the Mount, stating, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (
Matthew 7:21).
Theological ImplicationsThe condition of obedience for remaining in the Holy Land serves as a powerful theological motif, illustrating the broader biblical principle that God's blessings are often contingent upon human response. This theme underscores the importance of covenant faithfulness and the call to live in accordance with God's will, both in the Old Testament context and in the life of the believer today.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Leviticus 26:3If you walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;
Torrey's Topical TextbookDeuteronomy 5:33
You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Deuteronomy 11:16,17,22-25
Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and you turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
A Refused Bequest
Expositions of Holy Scripture. ... But that risk was chiefly to be guarded against in
the land of Israel ... He may not be, He always is where a man, in obedience to Him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/a refused bequest.htm
Entire Sanctification in Patriarchal Times.
... second step, which brought him into the promised land. ... ye present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto ... not to a life of obedience and sacrifice ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iii entire sanctification in.htm
A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... though I make a noise of my obedience to Christ ... the fruits of repentance swarm in
our land; but if ... those great and principal graces which the Holy Ghost worketh ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm
The Holy War,
... so should be my zealous, holy, happy obedience to his ... sent to the parched places
in a salt land, 'seeking rest ... Keach, about the time that the 'Holy War' appeared ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm
A vision of Judgement and Cleansing
... to God's presence, which, however, are contingent on obedience. ... the promise was when
He gave the Holy Spirit not ... I will remove the iniquity of that land in one ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a vision of judgement and.htm
Entire Sanctification as Taught by Paul.
... trust that in due time he shall land in the ... God." Your work, your service, your
obedience, your sacrifice ... And yet holiness, or rather the Holy Spirit dwelling ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter vii entire sanctification as.htm
Third Sunday after Easter
... we will live with our fellows in obedience to the ... Accordingly, we sing: "Now we pray
thee, Holy Spirit, for ... this wretched condition in a foreign land, we are ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/third sunday after easter.htm
The Westminster Shorter Catechism. AD 1647.
... peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of ... at first revealed to man,
for his obedience, was the ... God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt ...
/.../the westminster shorter catechism a d.htm
Constant, Instant, Expectant
... the secret sap of holiness, the fountain of obedience. ... is the atmosphere which surrounds
Emanuel's land: as the ... Our heavenly Father gives the Holy Spirit to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/constant instant expectant.htm
Letter xiii. Christian Activity.
... government, and bring them back to loyalty and obedience? ... the Church in conjunction
with the Holy Spirit ... we see revivals spreading over this land, and continuing ...
/.../letter xiii christian activity.htm
Resources
What does it mean that God is holy, holy, holy? | GotQuestions.orgWhat were the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place in the temple / tabernacle? | GotQuestions.orgCan you lose the Holy Spirit? | GotQuestions.orgHoly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
