He has declared to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. (Psalm 111:6)

It is written that, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). Consequently, it is within His exclusive authority to determine which nations were to develop and to designate where they would live. In short, God assigned every area of the world for a specific nation wherein they had opportunity to flourish. Egypt developed where they were supposed to, as did Babylon, Greece and others. And for the most part, no one questions the right of these nations to claim their part of the globe. The same is not true when it comes to Israel — nations have always and continue to dispute Israel’s right to the land of Canaan.

When God led the people of Israel into the promised land, it triggered an enormous upheaval. Several nations were displaced so that the people of God might inherit the land God had deeded to them. In fact, the conquest was a demonstration of “the power of His works,” in that Israel was comparatively smaller in terms of numbers and military strength, yet overcame those entrenched nations by the Hand of God. Frankly, being sacred ground, the land was not suitable for those nations and their abominable practices, which is why God cast them out. In effect, they were squatters and had to be pushed out to make way for those to whom the land had been promised. Nevertheless, through the centuries, the world has vigorously challenged Israel’s right to live in the land God assigned to them.

If people were of the mind that God is sovereign over all the earth, then they would readily accept that He is the One who “divided the inheritance to the nations, when He separated the sons of Adam, and set the boundaries of the peoples” (Deuteronomy 32:8). The problem is people don’t recognize His sovereignty and, consequently, they do not accept the argument that God can give land to whoever He pleases. That being so, perhaps the revelation that He is the One who assigns boundaries according to His purpose is not for the benefit of those who oppose Him; perhaps it is declared in order to strengthen our resolve to stand fast in the promises He has made to us. If we waver in our belief of what He has said, whether the promise of land or eternal life, then the unbeliever will be emboldened in his unbelief. Therefore, it is our duty to stand fast in what “Thus says the LORD,” and dispel the darkness of unbelief with the faith, trust and hope in the Word of the Lord. He said it, we believe it, and that settles it — the world will just have to deal with it.

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill