The Land

Recently my meditation has been Psalm 37. Jesus quotes from this Psalm in his Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Psalm 37 has several verses that mention the land (earth). Being in the land was important to the Hebrews. The land was a symbol of Gods blessing and covenant with them. Removal from the land was considered a curse.

The land however is also a type of our eternal inheritance in Christ. It is a picture of the Kingdom. Jesus states the Meek would inherit the earth (land). He spoke these words in the context of the Kingdom. Those who were wicked and rejected the gospel would be cut off from the land, and those who believed (the meek) would inherit the land.

Psa.37:9, For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. Psa.37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Psa.37:22, For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. Psa.37:29, The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever.

The land is a type of Christ. To be in Christ is to be in the land. Those who are in Christ inherit the land. The land through the lens of Christ and the Kingdom is a spiritual place. The land is a place of blessing, peace, and prosperity. Psalm 37 mentions peace (shalom). Shalom means you are not vexed or harassed by your enemies. It means you are living in your inheritance, under your own vine or fig tree. The type of the Old Covenant becomes a spiritual reality in Christ. Shalom.

Isa.60:18-21 Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.