{"id":1025,"date":"2026-03-17T05:44:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T05:44:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enslin.vanblerk.site\/?p=1025"},"modified":"2026-03-17T05:44:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T05:44:10","slug":"what-about-the-land-promises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enslin.vanblerk.site\/?p=1025","title":{"rendered":"What About the Land Promises?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Biblical Response to the Dispensational Explanation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the previous article we saw that the New Testament consistently teaches that the promises to Abraham are fulfilled in <strong>Jesus Christ<\/strong> and inherited by those who belong to Him (Galatians 3:16, 29).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, a common objection remains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cThe land promises were not fully fulfilled in the Old Testament. Joshua and Solomon only represent a partial fulfillment. The complete, everlasting fulfillment still awaits national Israel.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This explanation is widely promoted in dispensational theology. Let us examine these claims carefully by allowing <strong>Scripture to interpret Scripture<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Do Joshua and Kings Describe Only a \u201cPartial\u201d Fulfillment?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dispensational teachers often say that <strong>Joshua 21:43\u201345<\/strong> and <strong>1 Kings 8:56<\/strong> only describe a limited fulfillment for that generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But notice what the text actually says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Joshua 21:43\u201345<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd the LORD gave unto Israel <strong>all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers<\/strong>; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.<br>And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to <strong>all that he sware unto their fathers<\/strong>\u2026<br><strong>There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken<\/strong> unto the house of Israel; <strong>all came to pass.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The language could hardly be clearer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Scripture does not say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>\u201cSome of the promises came to pass.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>\u201cMost of the promises came to pass.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cALL came to pass.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Similarly, Solomon declares:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1 Kings 8:56<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBlessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to <strong>all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If we reinterpret these statements to mean <strong>\u201cnot really all\u201d<\/strong>, we unintentionally undermine the very point the Bible is making: <strong>God kept His word completely.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. What About the Unconquered Areas Mentioned in Joshua?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dispensationalists often point to passages like <strong>Joshua 13:1<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This does not contradict the fulfillment of the promise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It simply describes <strong>remaining work for Israel to complete within the land already given to them<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The promise was that God would <strong>give them the land<\/strong>.<br>Possessing every city and territory required <strong>continued obedience<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This distinction appears clearly in Scripture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">God gave them the land:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Joshua 21:43<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Israel still had responsibility to <strong>drive out remaining inhabitants<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When they failed to obey, problems followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This does not mean God failed to keep His promise.<br>It means <strong>Israel failed to fully obey God within the land He had given them<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Was the Land Promise Truly \u201cEverlasting\u201d?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another argument focuses on <strong>Genesis 17:8<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Genesis 17:8<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee\u2026 all the land of Canaan, for an <strong>everlasting possession<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dispensationalists argue this must mean a permanent national possession of the physical land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the Bible frequently uses the word <strong>\u201ceverlasting\u201d<\/strong> to describe covenants that later find fulfillment or transformation in Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Aaronic priesthood<\/strong> described as everlasting (Exodus 40:15).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Old Covenant sacrifices<\/strong> described as perpetual ordinances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet the New Testament clearly teaches these have been fulfilled and replaced in Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hebrews 7:12<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFor the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore the word <strong>\u201ceverlasting\u201d<\/strong> must be understood in light of the full biblical revelation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The New Testament expands the inheritance far beyond a single land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. The New Testament Reinterprets the Land Promise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paul explains the true scope of the promise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Romans 4:13<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFor the promise\u2026 that he should be <strong>the heir of the world<\/strong>, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notice the expansion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The inheritance is no longer <strong>a strip of land in Canaan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It becomes <strong>the world itself<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This aligns with the teaching of Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Matthew 5:5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBlessed are the meek: for <strong>they shall inherit the earth<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The promise grows from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Canaan \u2192 Earth \u2192 New Creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. What About the Later Prophets?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dispensationalists often point to passages like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ezekiel 36\u201337<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Amos 9:14\u201315<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deuteronomy 30:1\u201310<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These prophecies describe restoration after exile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the New Testament shows how these promises are fulfilled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, <strong>Amos 9<\/strong> is quoted directly in the New Testament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Acts 15:16\u201317<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">James quotes Amos and explains its fulfillment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAfter this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David\u2026<br><strong>That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the apostles themselves, the prophecy is fulfilled through the <strong>inclusion of the Gentiles into the people of God<\/strong>, not through a future geopolitical kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The restoration of Israel happens through <strong>the gospel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. What Does Romans 11 Actually Say?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another major appeal is <strong>Romans 11:26<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd so all Israel shall be saved.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dispensational teachers interpret this as a future national conversion tied to land promises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But notice the context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paul already explained who Israel truly is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Romans 9:6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFor they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And again:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Romans 2:28\u201329<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFor he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly\u2026<br>But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore when Paul speaks of salvation for Israel, he is describing <strong>the completion of God\u2019s saving work among His covenant people<\/strong>, both Jew and Gentile united in Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The focus is salvation, not territorial restoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. The True Inheritance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The New Testament consistently directs believers to a greater inheritance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hebrews 11:13\u201316<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThese all died in faith, not having received the promises\u2026<br>But now they desire <strong>a better country, that is, an heavenly<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even Abraham himself was looking beyond the physical land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His hope was <strong>the heavenly kingdom of God<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Fulfillment in Christ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The message of Scripture becomes clear when we follow the entire biblical storyline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The promise progresses like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Land of Canaan<\/strong> \u2014 given to Israel under Joshua.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Expansion of the promise<\/strong> \u2014 heir of the world (Romans 4:13).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Final fulfillment<\/strong> \u2014 the new heaven and new earth.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Revelation 21:1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd I saw a new heaven and a new earth.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The inheritance is not limited to a small territory in the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is <strong>the renewed creation itself<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Reflection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Bible does not diminish God\u2019s faithfulness to Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the contrary, it magnifies it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">God kept His promises exactly as He said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Israel received the land.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Messiah came through their nation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Salvation now goes to all nations through Christ.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the ultimate promise was never about geography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was always about <strong>redemption through the promised Seed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Galatians 3:16<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd to thy seed, which is Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And therefore:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Galatians 3:29<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd if ye be Christ&#8217;s, then are ye Abraham&#8217;s seed, and heirs according to the promise.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The promise is fulfilled in Christ,<br>and all who belong to Him inherit the kingdom of God.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Biblical Response to the Dispensational Explanation In the previous article we saw that the New Testament consistently teaches that the promises to Abraham are fulfilled in Jesus Christ and inherited by those who belong to Him (Galatians 3:16, 29). However, a common objection remains: \u201cThe land promises were not fully fulfilled in the Old Testament. Joshua and Solomon only represent a partial fulfillment. The complete, everlasting fulfillment still awaits national Israel.\u201d This explanation is widely promoted in dispensational theology. Let us examine these claims carefully by allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. 1. Do Joshua and Kings Describe Only a \u201cPartial\u201d Fulfillment? Dispensational teachers often say that Joshua 21:43\u201345 and 1 Kings 8:56 only describe a limited fulfillment for that generation. But notice what the text actually says. Joshua 21:43\u201345 \u201cAnd the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers\u2026There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.\u201d The language could hardly be clearer. The Scripture does not say: It says: \u201cALL came to pass.\u201d Similarly, Solomon declares: 1 Kings 8:56 \u201cBlessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise.\u201d If we reinterpret these statements to mean <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/enslin.vanblerk.site\/?p=1025\">Continue Reading &#8594;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1025","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-religion"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/enslin.vanblerk.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1025","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/enslin.vanblerk.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/enslin.vanblerk.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enslin.vanblerk.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enslin.vanblerk.site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1025"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/enslin.vanblerk.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1025\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1026,"href":"https:\/\/enslin.vanblerk.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1025\/revisions\/1026"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/enslin.vanblerk.site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1025"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enslin.vanblerk.site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1025"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enslin.vanblerk.site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1025"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}