Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5475 property » 5477 property, land All land belongs to God, and he allows people to care for it and use it for their own needs and the needs of others. The land promised to Israel is a special case illustrating the spiritual inheritance of all believers and God's ultimate purpose for the world. All land belongs to God It is in his possession and care Psalm 24:1 See also Exodus 9:29; Psalm 33:5; 1 Corinthians 10:26 It is given to human beings to manage Genesis 2:15 All exploitation of land is therefore contrary to God's purpose. See also Psalm 8:6; Psalm 115:16 The land promised to Israel It was promised on oath Genesis 12:6-7 See also Genesis 13:14-17; Genesis 15:7,18; Genesis 17:8; Genesis 50:24; Exodus 6:8; Deuteronomy 6:10-11; Deuteronomy 31:20-21; Judges 2:1 It was a fruitful land Exodus 3:8 See also Leviticus 20:24; Numbers 14:7-8; Joshua 5:6 The distribution of the land Leviticus 25:34; Numbers 33:53-54; Numbers 35:2-5 Individual land rights Legitimate purchase or sale Genesis 23:15-16; Genesis 33:19; Genesis 47:20; 2 Samuel 24:24; Proverbs 31:16; Jeremiah 32:6-15 Jeremiah's purchase was an act of faith. Judas bought land with blood money: Examples of renting Songs 8:11; Matthew 21:33-41 pp Mark 12:1-9 pp Luke 20:9-16 Laws of inheritance Encroachment was forbidden Deuteronomy 19:14 Land boundaries were marked out by stones, the removal of which was a serious offence; Deuteronomy 27:17; Job 24:2; Proverbs 22:28; Proverbs 23:10; Hosea 5:10 Redemption of land Leviticus 25:23-28; Ruth 4:2-9 God's ultimate purpose for the world The heavenly land Hebrews 11:13-16 See also Hebrews 11:8-10 A new heaven and earth Isaiah 65:17 See also Isaiah 66:22; Revelation 21:1-2 The inheritance of the righteous Matthew 5:5 See also Psalm 37:11,29; 2 Peter 3:13 See also
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