The LORD’S Land
Hosea 9:3 - “They shall not dwell in the LORD's land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria.”
There’s really only two “lands” mentioned in the Bible pertaining to God’s people. There’s the LORD’s Land and there’s the Strange Land. That’s it.
As far as I can tell, the phrase “LORD’s Land” is only found in the KJV once. It’s found in Hosea 9:3. But, Strange Land is mentioned four times. I find that interesting.
Here are the passages for a Strange Land.
Exodus 2:22 —“And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.”
Exodus 18:3 - “And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land”
Ps. 137:4 - “How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land?” (My personal favorite.)
Acts 7:6 - “And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.”
It appears that any place outside of the LORD’s land is the place to NOT be. Egypt wasn’t the LORD’s land. Babylon wasn’t the LORD’s land. There’s only one LORD’s land. Moses would lead the people to that Land and eventually they would get themselves kicked out.
And now … they’re back. And they’re back for good.
But …
Who’s not in the Land? Answer: Many of those that make up “the Israel of God.” [Galatians 6:16] I’m speaking of those who are truly born-again believers, “Jew” and Gentile. They are the ones who comprise “the Israel of God.” I don’t want to split theological hairs concerning who is “Israel” (Jewish) and who are “the Israel of God” (mostly saved Gentiles). That’s not my point here.
What is my point?
I’m frustrated that anyone who can somehow, someway, claim and “prove” a “Jewish” heritage is welcomed with open arms to the Land. But those of us who are “the Israel of God” can’t. And the truth is: “ … they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.” [Romans 9:6]
Consider Romans 9:1-10 — “I say the truth in Messiah, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Messiah for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Messiah came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac.”
Isn’t that an incredible passage. The Apostle Paul saw it all so clearly. There are Israelites and then there are those that are “the Israel of God.” Well, that includes me. And … I want to live in Israel. I’m an Israelite. It’s my Land, my heritage.
It’s funny, but I never had this hunger, longing, desire to go “home” like I have since becoming a part of the Hebraic mindset. I want to go home to “The LORD’s land,” my Land.
Over the 40 years of our marriage, Judy and I have lived in many places. Some I loved much more than others. I guess that’s normal. But, New England is “home” to me.
However, after having been to all the places I’ve been to over this almost 64 years of life, my heart finally now realizes I have only one true place where I belong and long to be. — “The LORD’s land.”
I don’t want to live there because it would be “cool.” Would it be great? Yes. Do I think it would be nirvana? No. In many ways it would be very difficult, probably horrible. As Messianic we don’t fit in with our own brothers and sisters in the Lord. We’re definitely not going to fit in with our brethren after the flesh either.
Will I ever get there? I don’t know. I’m probably more like Lester Roloff who when asked why he never went to Israel said: “I don’t need to go to Israel. I visit the Holy Land every year.” He was referring to his daily reading through the Word of God every year.
So, I’ll continue to journey through my “Holy Land” each year, hoping to miraculously end up in Israel. But if not, my sight is set upon the “Jerusalem which is above.” [Galatians 4:26]
Oh, by the way.
Do you, as a true child of God, feel at home in this Strange Land? You shouldn’t. As Yeshua’s return comes closer, more and more of His people will increasingly become dissatisfied with living in this Strange Land of the Lost. They will feel the anchor of this world letting loose and their heart will become more and more fixed on “things which are above.”
To which are you more drawn: The Strange Land of this world or to your rightful heritage of the LORD’s Land?
Whether you’re drawn to His Land this side of eternity (Israel) or the Heavenly Land of eternity (our New Jerusalem), let’s agree to be doing this one thing in the meantime —
Let’s be “Looking to Yeshua the author and finisher of our faith.” [Hebrews 12:2]