Lessons for Living from the Bible in Everyday English by Dennis Magee

Israel’s entrance into Canaan, the Promised Land, is the story of how God, at one stage in the history of redemption, reconquered a portion of the earth from the powers of this world that had claimed it for themselves by war and reliance on their false Gods. The Jews were God’s army who took back the land with His aid. This story of God’s kingdom breaking into the world testified that God is the one true and living God whose claim on the world is absolute. It was also a warning to the nations that the irresistible advance of God’s kingdom would ultimately disinherit all who opposed it, giving place in the earth only to those who acknowledge and serve God. The conquered land belonged to God and so had to be cleansed of all paganism. On that land Israel was to establish a commonwealth faithful to God’s righteous rule and be a witness to all nations. If Israel conformed instead to Canaanite culture it would lose its place in God’s land. War is a curse that humans bring on themselves but it pales before the curse that awaits all who reject God’s warnings, oppose His rule, and reject His grace. Now, for a time, God reaches out to the world with the Gospel. He commissions His people urgently to carry His offer of peace to all nations. The sword of His judgment waits in the wings.

Christian existence is not merely on an earthly plane. It derives its meaning and significance from heaven where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Nonetheless, that life is lived out on earth where the daily practical life of the believer continues to work out the purposes of God (from Introduction to Ephesians).