Claiming the Promise of Covenant

Scripture: When you get close to the Ammonites, don’t show any hostility to them or provoke them, for I will not give you any of the Ammonites’ land as a possession; I have given it as a possession to the descendants of Lot.’” This too used to be regarded as the land of the Rephaim. The Rephaim lived there previously, though the Ammonites called them Zamzummim, a great and numerous people, tall as the Anakim. The Lord destroyed the Rephaim at the advance of the Ammonites, so that they drove them out and settled in their place. This was just as he had done for the descendants of Esau who lived in Seir, when he destroyed the Horites before them; they drove them out and have lived in their place until now. Deuteronomy 2:19-22

Observation: Moses begins this book reviewing the history of why the Jews have spent 40 years wandering the wilderness. The story is simple ... the Lord gave them the promised land, they were afraid of the people there and thus refused to go, so the Lord punished that generation by forcing them to wander and die without entering the land.

During this time of wandering, they pass through other lands. Three such lands they are expressly told they cannot settle in - the land of the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites - as these are lands already settled by the descendants of Esau and Lot, relatives of the Jews.

Moses points out one common detail about all three lands, which is that these lands were also originally populated by tall and numerous people, yet the small number of descendants of both Esau and Lot overcame them and took their land years and years ago. This is a very clear message ... even when these people groups, the families of Esau and Lot, were relatively small, they overcame a larger group because the Lord had decided to give them the land. Now Israel, which numbers over a million people, is about to enter Canaan. The prior generation had witnessed the Lord completely destroy Egypt through incredible miracles, yet feared taking on a significant armed enemy. This generation has not seen this, so instead they must understand that the Lord has done this exact thing before, for a small group that did not have his covenant. How much more will he do for Israel!

In fact, it is this covenant that makes all the difference. For Edom and Lot, the Lord was with them because he simply said he would be, for the sake of Abraham and his descendants. However, the Lord has a special promise with Israel. They are his kingdom of priests, to be his messengers to all the world, with a unique set of laws designed to demonstrate the Lord's authority, justice, and love. He is giving them the better inheritance, and will certainly be with them as he has shown himself to be already. Israel may rely on the covenant of the Lord, and they may have faith in entering the land.

Application: I am part of a covenant with the Lord. In this, I may have total faith that the Lord has promised me salvation by my faith in Jesus. In return, I am to ... go where he tells me to go.

More and more, I am wondering if there will soon be another sending of me to something or somewhere new. I am not where I expected to be now, and I truly have no idea if I am to stay here or proceed to something else, but I do know that is not my decision. I will instead listen to the Lord, and go where he sends me, when he sends me. I will live within his promise, receiving the goodness of a life lived for Jesus, and seeking to live that life following his direction and word. I have seen how he has cared for others around me, and know that his word is true.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your promises found in Jesus. May I live for you more and more. Yes, there is uncertainty around me, but I am certain in your blessing and goodness, and in your directions and plan. You may have me stay for a long time, or you may send me elsewhere today. Either way, my comfort and joy is found in your Messianic covenant. Amen.