1:2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them--to the Israelites."
1:2 “. . . the land which I am giving to them. . . .”
Also note:
1:6 “. . . the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.”
1:11 “. . . the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it.’”
1:13 “. . . ‘The LORD your God gives you rest and will give you this land.’”
“Giving” – “In Fief” as in fiefdom. We recall the medieval feudal system where land would be entrusted (even for generations) in return for loyal service as a vassal. The residents had the right to hold the land as long as they worked it. The property was granted to a vassal for its maintenance by the lord in return for service. In the case of the Promised Land, God is establishing a “feudal” covenant (perhaps in this instance, “contract” may, in fact, be a better term) with Israel.
The land is a certainly a gracious gift, but it is not an outright grant. It is an “exchange for the promise of service in the future” (121). This land “contract” is thus dependent upon Israel’s faithfulness to the covenant. The divine promise of the land to the forefathers (according to the north Israelite school – see 41-43) was qualified by the mosaic covenant. There was no permanent possession of the land promised. In fact, possession of the Promised Land depended on Israel’s fidelity. Safety and “rest” (vs. 13 – also “peace”) was no certainty unless they served obediently. This land gift bears great responsibility to create a covenant society who acts with fidelity to the covenant.
It is important to note that the Promised Land, the land of Yahweh, elicits images of his “abode.” The Promised Land is a “sanctuary” and a symbol of his earthly rein – a political and cosmic rule of the kingdom of God (19). As Dr. Coleson’s commentary points out, “The land of Israel was always more than a physical entity; it was also a central part of the ‘spiritual’ inheritance of Israel” (page 2). In this way, our thoughts will likely be drawn to Hebrews 4:8-9 (“Sabbath rest”) whereby there is a final completion and occupation of God’s heavenly land reserved for his faithful people.1:2 “in fief”