The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Genesis 13:14-17,
"The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, 'Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.'"
Abraham lived about four millenia ago. In this passage we find that God gave the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants. Did God hold title deed to this piece of real estate such that it was his to give? Given what we learn in the beginning of Genesis, that God created the earth, not to mention the whole universe, I don't know that anyone can question it was his to give to whomsoever he pleased regardless of who was living there. That is a deed no one can dispute!
As we look at it today, who owns the West Bank and East Jerusalem? Israel is accused today of occupying "Palestinian territory" which includes the West Bank, the Golan Heights and the Gaza Strip. The International Court of Justice, the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations General Assembly and the International Committee of the Red Cross all refer to the West Bank as "occupied (by Israel) Palestinian territory."
The West Bank sits right in the middle of what was the land of Canaan. For how long did God give Abraham and his offspring (Israel) the land of Canaan? In the above passage we read, "All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever."
Paul tells us in Romans 11:29, "God's gifts and his call are irrevocable." In this passage Paul points out that the nation of Israel will always and forever remain "loved on account of the patriarchs". Paul said this two-thousand years after Abraham and we live two-thousand years after Paul. Paul's comment here transcends the destruction of Israel and the deportation of Judah to Babylon. It transcends the implementation of the New Covenant, the establishment of church and this age in which we now live. Israel still holds title deed to the land of Canaan today.
"The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, 'Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.'"
Abraham lived about four millenia ago. In this passage we find that God gave the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants. Did God hold title deed to this piece of real estate such that it was his to give? Given what we learn in the beginning of Genesis, that God created the earth, not to mention the whole universe, I don't know that anyone can question it was his to give to whomsoever he pleased regardless of who was living there. That is a deed no one can dispute!
As we look at it today, who owns the West Bank and East Jerusalem? Israel is accused today of occupying "Palestinian territory" which includes the West Bank, the Golan Heights and the Gaza Strip. The International Court of Justice, the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations General Assembly and the International Committee of the Red Cross all refer to the West Bank as "occupied (by Israel) Palestinian territory."
The West Bank sits right in the middle of what was the land of Canaan. For how long did God give Abraham and his offspring (Israel) the land of Canaan? In the above passage we read, "All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever."
Paul tells us in Romans 11:29, "God's gifts and his call are irrevocable." In this passage Paul points out that the nation of Israel will always and forever remain "loved on account of the patriarchs". Paul said this two-thousand years after Abraham and we live two-thousand years after Paul. Paul's comment here transcends the destruction of Israel and the deportation of Judah to Babylon. It transcends the implementation of the New Covenant, the establishment of church and this age in which we now live. Israel still holds title deed to the land of Canaan today.
It is impossible for the nation of Israel to be illegitimate occupiers of any land that God gave them, even if it was 4 millenia ago! All arguments to the contrary is simply "Team Cain" in opposition to God, his purposes and his people.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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