Deep Dive into An Old Testament Theology by Bruce K. Waltke - The Gift of Land, Part 2: The Old Testament

The theological relationship between I AM and Israel is primarily structured around the gift and tenure of the Land, which provides the foundation for Israel’s national identity. I AM, the Great King, is the ultimate owner of the entire earth by creation and conquest. He exercised His sovereign right to dispossess the wicked Canaanites, whose iniquity was fully ripe for judgment, and replace them with the Israelites.

Israel’s legal status is dual. The Land grant—Canaan, their heartland, defined by specific geographic boundaries—was sworn unconditionally to their founding father, Abraham, for his descendants forever. However, the enjoyment of the Land is strictly conditional upon the Mosaic covenant. Israel holds the Land under the legal term usufruct, meaning they have the right to use and enjoy its fruits, but they are ultimately seen as resident aliens and tenants living under God’s protection. This conditional status holds them accountable, reserving I AM's right to withdraw the gift if the covenant is broken.

The Land is profoundly symbolic. Sociologically, it represents the transition from disordered existence, like the barren wilderness, to ordered structures that provide security, continuity, and identity across generations. Existentially, it fulfills the deep human yearning to have a home and a safe place. The ideal land is defined by the unique presence of I AM, who chose Zion (the Temple location in Jerusalem) as His dwelling place, earning Jerusalem the title "City of God." This site is also where Abraham was ordered to offer Isaac.

Israel's fidelity is consistently tested, first by the necessity of total dependence in the wilderness and later by the prosperity of the Land, which tempted them to rely on their own strength. Divine judgment is measured using symbolic numbers; seven is the symbol of divine perfection. Seventy (7 x 10) years represented a standard, complete sentence for rebellion, which was later multiplied by seven (7 x 70) to signify a complete and full era of judgment against continued rebellion.

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