Are you walking in the greatest promise of God? “In The Beginning” is the definition of the word “Genesis” in English or “Bereshit” (pronounced bur-e-sheet’) in Hebrew. It is the title of the first book in the Bible and the Torah (which are the first five books of the Jewish Bible). It tells the story of creation of the universe, including the heavens and the earth, the land and sea and everything in it.
In the land, God created a garden and placed man (Adam and Eve) there. This is the place where God dwelt together in relationship with man. Then sin happened, and it all went to “hell”, a Biblical term for a life lived apart from God, both here in the land of the living, as well as in the afterlife. The Bible refers to it as the outer darkness.
But, the key words I want to focus on in this blog are “the land”, the place where God and man dwelt together. Although sin caused man to become separated from God, He had a plan of redemption in place from the beginning of time. God, in his great love and mercy, did not create man to forcibly serve Him. It is, however, His hearts desire that we do, but He gave us free will to choose our own path in life.
The Promised Inheritance
The path to God offers an abundant life here in the land of the living, as well as eternal life in the one to come. The path away from God leaves you to fend for yourself, relying on your will and strength to either fight off or surrender to the enemy of your soul. This ultimately leads to separation from God in darkness. It is not the fertile, fruitful land God desires for you to dwell in. As a matter of Biblical fact, God promises a land of milk and honey, symbolizing abundant blessings. This was a literal promise for his chosen people, the Jews, as well as a metaphoric one for all of God’s creation.
“So Joshua said to the people of Israel, “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?” Joshua 18:3 (ESV)
Here is some context for this verse. Moses was already laid to rest, and God had raised up Joshua as Israel’s new leader. In chapter 18, Joshua speaks to the Israelites about the allotment of the land of Israel, the inheritance promised by God. Five of the twelve tribes had received their allotment and seven were left. The people needed encouragement to go in and possess the land. They actually had to conquer it, ridding it of all the gentile (non-jewish) believers and their foreign gods. Joshua encouraged them to be strong and know that their God, the God of Israel, the one true God would go before them and behind them. They had nothing to fear, if they were obedient to Him. (See Joshua 1:9)
Mercy and Justice
So it is with mankind today. God loves all of his creation with an everlasting love. He wants none to perish, but all to come to eternal life through the knowledge of gospel of Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:9) That was and is God’s plan for the redemption of man from the beginning. He chose “Israel” to show the “world” who He is by His love, mercy, faithfulness and justice. Israel was no better than the nations who served foreign gods, except they had the knowledge and power of the one true God on their side to fulfill God’s purpose for man.
And so it went for Israel, recorded by God’s prophets. Israel’s repeated unfaithfulness displayed God’s mercy and wrath. It brought about God’s goodness when His children were obedient, and often times, even when they weren’t. But it also led to God’s justice when He had reached the limit of their unfaithfulness. This happened when He utterly destroyed Israel and Judah causing them to go into 70 years of captivity in Babylon. After that, God returned a remnant of His people back to Jerusalem. The temple was rebuilt and the sacrificial system (particular animal sacrifices required by God) was restored, so the people could have forgiveness of their sin again, and be reconciled back to God.
A Lamb
It is written, “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin.” (Hebrews 9:22) This animal sacrifice is what God did for Adam and Eve when they sinned. (See Genesis 4) They realized they were naked, and for the first time they felt shame (a direct result of sin). But God removed the scratchy fig leaf coverings they were hiding behind, and gave them soft garments of sheepskin. So, God sacrificed a lamb to cover their shame.
God did the same thing for all of mankind, once and for all, putting an end to animal sacrifices when He sacrificed Jesus, the lamb of God, His “only” first-born son (of woman). Mary, a virgin Jewish girl was his chosen vessel. In so doing, He fulfilled His promise to make Israel a light to the nations. Salvation (the greatest promise of God) for the world would come through Israel. And so it did through this Jewish child, Jesus, born of God himself, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus gave up His life, he said:
“I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness.”(John 8:12)
Possess The Land
Jesus’ sacrifice, his death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, points the way to possess the land, the place where God and man can dwell in harmony together. Jesus’ blood that was shed at the cross covers the forgiveness of the sin of the whole world. It’s a free gift of God’s divine mercy, that comes with salvation, healing and freedom from captivity.
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available for you to conquer whatever is keeping you from possessing the land and the abundant life God promised. There is nothing to fear in conquering your demons because perfect love casts out fear, and Jesus is perfect Love. This metaphorical “promised land” is yours for the taking. Now, I ask you that same question Joshua posed to the Israelites. How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land?
All it requires is belief in who Jesus is, and what He has done for you (for all of us). Faith is believing what you do not see, and is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that comes by hearing the Word of God. And without faith, it is impossible to please God. (Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6)
So, I encourage you to read God’s Word. Better yet, download the “You Version” app or another Bible app and listen to it. You won’t even have to strain your eyes reading. Just relax and listen with an open heart and an open mind, then let God do the rest. The land is yours to possess if you want it! You can be reconciled to dwell in relationship with Father God as it was in the beginning. An abundant, fruitful life is waiting for you, a land of milk and honey. You don’t have to go it alone. Just go in, “believe” and possess the land God promised you.
Thank you for reading my blog; hopefully you didn’t strain your eyes reading it. Maybe one day I’ll figure out how to have it read to you like “You Version” (my favorite Bible app). All things are possible with God! In the meantime, thanks for engaging with me once again. Please share this blog with as many unbelievers as you can for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Thank you and God bless you!
So good!