Bible Study Taking the Promised Land a parable for CHristian life

[Jim Parker]

First: No I'm NOT saying the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites didn't happen as depicted in the Bible.

Now: It occurred to me how that ancient exodus-conquest-judges narrative provides a parable of Christian life.

Exodus: A new believer departs from a life centered on ourselves (sinful), passes through the waters of Baptism (Red Sea) and enters into relationship with God displacing his will and replacing it with God's will.

Conquest: The believer is now confronted with the task of living a life dedicating to doing God's will. (The ultimate freedom is to be totally submitted to God's will.)

Just as the Israelites had to destroy or drive out all the pagan peoples who were dwelling in the promised land, so the new believer will spend the rest of his life destroying and driving out the habits and temptations which are obstacles designed to prevent him from entering into the joy and peace of the Lord. Because they did not destroy or drive out all the pagan peoples in Canaan, the Jews were corrupted by giving in to the temptation to follow their example. The book of Judges is the story of Israel's cyclical apostasy and, when the Lord chastened them as promised in the Law, their repentance. Just as the Israelites were constantly under pressure of temptation to conform to the ways of the pagan nations around them, so, today, the believer is under constant pressure of temptation to submit to the seductions of the pagan civilizations in which we live today.

That is a part of why Paul, at the end of his life, describes his life as; "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2Ti 4:7 RSV)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (Heb 12:1-3 RSV)

My 2 kopecks

Iakov the fool

 

[for_his_glory]

I can see that as a type of parable and thank you for this insight of submitting our will to Gods will.

Israel lost her right to be called Gods chosen people, (God did save a faithful remnant), as they fell into idolatry worshipping other gods as they allowed themselves to fall from Gods grace as they followed the lust of their own hearts as they practiced Judaism, 1Kings 9:1-9. God’s judgment against them led them to be captured, 605 – 537 B.C., by Nebuchadnezzar and taken into Babylon for seventy years while Nebuchadnezzar’s army killed many Jews in Judah and Jerusalem destroying the whole city of Jerusalem including the first Temple that was built through King Solomon’s reign in Jerusalem.

God gave Israel 490 years to repent. They were set free from Babylon when the Medes and Persian conquered Babylon (Chaldeans) around 538 B.C. They were allowed back in the land and to rebuild the city of Jerusalem, however, they still did not repent for their sin of idol worshipping and they continued to receive punishment from God as the kingdom was taken away and eventually taken over by the Roman Empire. Malachi Chapter 1-4.

The 490 years were up and many of the Jews not only did not repent but they killed the very Messiah they had been waiting for as well as in 24 A.D. they made an opened display of rejecting the Gospel message as they stoned Stephen being the final messenger that was sent to give them their last chance to repent. The Jews were now rejected as God’s chosen people and were no different from the Gentiles as from that time forth each individual, Jew and Gentile has to make their own decision to accept or reject Jesus as Lord and Savior, John 3:3-7; Romans 10:9, 10.

God has saved a remnant out of the twelve tribes of Israel even up to a thousand generations that have always been faithful to Him, Exodus 20:1-6; Psalms 105:7, 8, but those who have yet to accept Jesus as Messiah God will continue to cut them off.

 

[JLB]

Just as the Israelites had to destroy or drive out all the pagan peoples who were dwelling in the promised land, so the new believer will spend the rest of his life destroying and driving out the habits and temptations which are obstacles designed to prevent him from entering into the joy and peace of the Lord.

Yes sir.

Notice also the Lord left some so that the children of Israel in future generations would learn the art of war.

Now these are the nations which the Lord left, that He might test Israel by them, that is, all who had not known any of the wars in Canaan (this was only so that the generations of the children of Israel might be taught to know war, at least those who had not formerly known it), Judges 3:1-2


Paul said it this way.

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:20-26

This cleansing of our "promised land" from being a vessel for dishonor, so that we may become a vessel of honor for our Master is the responsibility we all have as His people.



JLB

 

[Jim Parker]

Yes sir.

Notice also the Lord left some so that the children of Israel in future generations would learn the art of war.

Now these are the nations which the Lord left, that He might test Israel by them, that is, all who had not known any of the wars in Canaan (this was only so that the generations of the children of Israel might be taught to know war, at least those who had not formerly known it), Judges 3:1-2


Paul said it this way.

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:20-26

This cleansing of our "promised land" from being a vessel for dishonor, so that we may become a vessel of honor for our Master is the responsibility we all have as His people.

JLB

Gut gazacht
Well said

iakov the fool

 

[Sinthesis]

I'm not sure, but was it not until David was king that the entire promised land was finally subdued?
Such that it can't be until Jesus is your King that the sin nature in your life can be subdued?

 

[Jim Parker]

This cleansing of our "promised land"

That's a very good way of describing our bodies. We have the promise of being united to God in Christ as His "pure and spotless" bride who is "one flesh" with Him.

Blows my mind!

iakov the fool 2

 

[JLB]

That's a very good way of describing our bodies.

I had cleansing our soul in mind.

I take a shower regularly, so my body is Ok.

Be Blessed.


JLB

 

[Jim Parker]

I had cleansing our soul in mind.
I take a shower regularly, so my body is Ok.
Be Blessed.

JLB

Your body is not now what it will be.
When, in the kingdom, you are united with God in Christ, your body will be like the body of Christ on the mount of transfiguration.

 

[JLB]

Your body is not now what it will be.
When, in the kingdom, you are united with God in Christ, your body will be like the body of Christ on the mount of transfiguration.

You get a Big Amen for me on that one!

 

[Edward]

Yeah, but only two made it into the promised land. The rest died in the desert. Is that applicable to the parable? :neutral

Matthew backs that up in chapter 7 too.
Matt. 7 13-14
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it./

Incidently, I looked up, narrow, and it could easily describe the israelites wandering in the desert, or us.

Narrow
Transliteration
thlibō
Pronunciation
thlē'-bō τρίβος (G5147)
Dictionary Aids
Vine's Expository Dictionary: trouble (4x),afflict (3x), narrow (1x), throng (1x),suffer tribulation (1x).
Outline of Biblical Usage G5147; to crowd (literally or figuratively):—afflict, narrow, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble./

 

[JLB]

Yeah, but only two made it into the promised land. The rest died in the desert. Is that applicable to the parable? :neutral

Matthew backs that up in chapter 7 too.
Matt. 7 13-14
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it./

Incidently, I looked up, narrow, and it could easily describe the israelites wandering in the desert, or us.

Narrow
Transliteration
thlibō
Pronunciation
thlē'-bō τρίβος (G5147)
Dictionary Aids
Vine's Expository Dictionary: trouble (4x),afflict (3x), narrow (1x), throng (1x),suffer tribulation (1x).
Outline of Biblical Usage G5147; to crowd (literally or figuratively):—afflict, narrow, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble./

Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.
1 Corinthians 10:1-6

Concerning the "promised land" being a type of transformation into full stature sonship in this life, there were only two who made it.... Just as there were two who left Egypt and entered.

Enoch and Elijah.


JLB

 

[Jim Parker]

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Rev 7:9-10 (KJV) After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

There's God's "few."

iakov the fool

 

[Edward]

Good answer, Brothers...:yes

 

[JLB]

Rev 7:9-10 (KJV) After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

There's God's "few."

iakov the fool

This represents those who are "saved", and physically died and went to heaven and are awaiting the resurrection.

No so with Enoch and Elijah, the two who obtained the "promised land" and did not physically die, like Joshua and Caleb.


JLB