What is the Land Covenant?
God made a covenant with Israel before the death of Moses and the nation’s entry into the Promised Land. The earth and land are often overlooked in how they relate to our spiritual lives, but when we marvel at the creation story, we see how God precisely created and placed the land, waters, animals, and plant life in distinct areas of the earth to welcome Adam. There must be a connection between humanity and the land.
Even though Adam’s sin affected the entire earth and its inhabitants, we are hopeful in God’s plan of restoration of all things. The flesh is weak, and creation is broken, but we can look forward to the coming day when all is made new.
God’s Promise of a Restored Body
- “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”—2 Corinthians 5:6-8
God’s Promise of the Restored Land
- “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”—Romans 8:19-21
The land covenant from Deuteronomy points to these future events of land restoration. At that time, Moses speaks to the nation of Israel under the inspiration and revelation of the Lord of what will come to pass, and the hope of restoration.
“Now it shall come to pass, when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God drives you, and you return to the Lord your God and obey His voice, according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul, that the Lord your God will bring you back from captivity, and have compassion on you, and gather you again from all the nations where the Lord your God has scattered you.”—Deuteronomy 30:1-3
It breaks God’s heart when His children wander. Wandering comes with many consequences. But God promises to bring Israel back from captivity, again, among all the nations… and He is faithful to His promise.
The Land Covenant and the Abrahamic Covenant
The land covenant confirms features of the Abrahamic Covenant made in Genesis 12:1-3:
“Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’”
Israel will possess the Promised Land forever. This covenant is unconditional, eternal, and part of the Abrahamic Covenant.
“Nevertheless I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.”—Ezekiel 16:60
The Land Covenant: From History to Fulfillment
The Jewish Nation of Israel declared statehood in May, 1948. The Jewish people began returning in waves just as the Bible said. In spite of tension and terrorism in the Middle East, Israel continues to flourish economically, environmentally, and militarily.
As events unfold, you see prophecy being fulfilled as Ezekiel said…
“…‘Thus says the Lord God: “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again.”—Ezekiel 37.21-22
Paul writes that the hardening of Israel’s heart will soften following the fullness of the Gentiles, then all Israel will be saved and covenant restored.
- “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob…’”—Romans 11:25-26
Understand that God is a God of process. He is patient with us as individuals and as nations. However, the sooner we grasp His instruction, peace and prosperity will be expedited.
God is Fulfilling the Land Covenant
As Israel has returned to the land, and celebrates her 70th anniversary this year, God is fulfilling His promise and is blessing His people.
“If any of you are driven out to the farthest parts under heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you. Then the Lord your God will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers. And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.”—Deuteronomy 30:4-6
God is transforming the land and people both physically and spiritually, writing in their hearts the power of His love.
Alignment with Israel is Crucial for Our Nation
The United States made an official statement to the world in moving its embassy to Jerusalem. Now we are witnessing other nations, a recent count of potentially 10, considering moving their embassies as well. Tribes and nations are recognizing the blessings of standing with Israel, as well as the curse and danger of not.
“Also the Lord your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you. And you will again obey the voice of the Lord and do all His commandments which I command you today. The Lord your God will make you abound in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your land for good. For the Lord will again rejoice over you for good as He rejoiced over your fathers, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this Book of the Law, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”—Deuteronomy 30:7-10
The Holy Spirit’s fire is spreading across the land. The spiritual awakening of the Church seeking the Jewish roots of Christianity is bringing about a great awakening of faith. Believers are witnessing miracles in their own land as Israel is restoring hers.
The fire of the Holy Spirit is restoring the lands within our borders, preparing to release blessings, because our nation is moving into alignment with God’s will and instruction… to stand with Israel!