Study 11: The Land Covenant and the last words of Moses

Preparing to enter the Promised Land

Summary of refusal to enter the land, and God's command Deuteronomy 1:19–46

Reminder of the law

The greatest commandment Deuteronomy 6:1–6

• Note verse 4, the shama

The law – blessings and a curse Deuteronomy 11:26

• Blessings of land Deuteronomy 11:27 - 32

Command to keep the law Deuteronomy 29:9–13

Warnings to keep the law Deuteronomy 29:9–29

A choice Deuteronomy 30:11–20

The law brings a curse (Galatians 3:10)

• Outline of curses Deuteronomy 27:10–26

For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them." 

The land covenant

Some call this the Palestinian Covenant, but neither the Land of Palestine, nor a people called Palestinians were known until very recently. The Land of Canaan, that is, Israel was renamed Palestine by Roman Emperor Hadrian after the 2^nd Jewish Revolt led by Bar Kokhba (A.D. 132-135). Both Arab and Jewish occupants were called Palestinians until recently. In 2015 it is an anomaly that the Arabs who mostly identify as being Syrian call themselves Palestinian at the exclusion of the Jews, for it was the land and not the people that was labelled “Palestine”.

Note:

These are the words of the covenant which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the covenant which He made with them in Horeb.

Deuteronomy 30:1-10

This covenant is between God and Israel, which the Lord commanded Moses to make (Deuteronomy 29:1).

Provisions of the covenant

1. The first part is a prophecy, spoken by Moses of Israel’s disobedience to God, and in particular the Law of Moses, about Israel breaking the Mosaic Covenant (Deuteronomy 29).
2. Prophecy: Israel shall be scattered among the nations – God will drive them out of the land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 30:1)
3. Prophecy: Israel will repent (Deuteronomy 30:2).
4. Prophecy: the Messiah will return (Deuteronomy 30:3a).
5. Prophecy: Israel will be regathered into the land (Deuteronomy 30:3-4).
6. Prophecy: Israel will possess the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 30:5a).
7. Prophecy: Israel will once again be a prosperous large nation – larger than before (Deuteronomy 30:5b)
8. Prophecy: Israel will be regenerated (Deuteronomy 30:6).
9. Prophecy: the enemies of Israel will be judged (Deuteronomy 30:7).
10. Prophecy: Israel will receive full blessing; specifically, the blessings of the Messianic Age (Deuteronomy 30: 8-20).

Current status

This prophecy indicates the Church has not replaced Israel, nor indeed will. The Church is heavenly: she is the bridegroom of the Bride, with the marriage taking place in heaven. The remnant of Israel who turn to the Lord and put their faith and trust in the Messiah will inherit the Land.

This Covenant shows that by failing the Mosaic Covenant, Israel did not forfeit its right to the Land. The Covenant affirms the Abrahamic Covenant that Israel would be large and will populate the Land which the Lord gave them.

Ownership of the land is unconditional – obedience to the Law of Moses was not a prerequisite to occupy and own the Land. Therefore, the Land Covenant is everlasting and is in effect today.

See also - the Eight Covenants of God here

The Land to be taken

Moses forbidden to enter the land Deuteronomy 3:23–29 and Deuteronomy 34:1–4

The death of Moses Deuteronomy 34

Joshua commanded to take the land Joshua 1:1–9