Dictionary of Bible Themes: 4207 land, as a divine gift

4207 land, as a divine gift

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 4000 Creation » 4200 Places » 4206 land » 4207 land, as a divine gift

God's gift of the land of Israel is fundamental to the covenant promises made to Abraham and his descendants.

Land as part of God's creation

Genesis 1:9-10

The land (Canaan) promised to Abraham

Genesis 12:7 See also Genesis 12:1; Genesis 13:15-17; Genesis 17:8; Genesis 24:7

The boundaries of the promised land

Genesis 15:18-21 See also Exodus 23:31; Numbers 34:1-12

God's promise and its gradual fulfilment

The promise made to the patriarchs

Genesis 26:3-4 See also Genesis 23:17-20; Genesis 28:13; Genesis 35:12; Genesis 48:3-4; Genesis 50:24-25 The patriarchs maintained only a very small part of the land. But Genesis closes with the prospect of much more.

The promise confirmed during the wilderness wanderings

Exodus 3:7-8 See also Exodus 6:4,8; Exodus 13:5,11; Exodus 32:11-14; Exodus 33:1-3; Numbers 11:10-12

Exploration of the promised land

Numbers 13:1-2 See also Numbers 13:21-25

Entry delayed because of unbelief and rebellion

Numbers 13:27-33 See also Numbers 14:1-4,26-35,40-45

Criticial importance of obedience in the promised land

Deuteronomy 5:32-33 Moses, at the end of his life, urges all the Israelites always to remember the LORD and his commands; enjoyment of the land is dependent upon the people's obedience. See also Deuteronomy 6:10-12

Invasion of the land

Joshua 1:2 The theme of the book of Joshua is the land: chapters 1-12 its invasion and conquest, chapters 13-21 its division among the Israelite tribes. See also Joshua 2:1

Gradual conquest of the land

Joshua 13:1 See also Joshua 7:2; Joshua 8:1; Joshua 9:1-2; Joshua 10:29-30; Joshua 13:2-6; Joshua 14:12; Joshua 17:12-18

The promise fulfilled

Joshua 21:43-45

Division of the land

Joshua 23:4-5

Conflict with the Philistines over the land

1 Samuel 7:7-14 Philistine aggression had imperilled the prospect of a full possession of the land until David overpowered them. See also Judges 2:21-22; Judges 13:1; Judges 15:11; 1 Samuel 4:10-11; Samuel 13:17-19; Samuel 17:1-2; Samuel 31:1,7

Jerusalem captured by David

2 Samuel 5:6-7

The land at rest and prosperous

Under David