"And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers."
Context:The book of Exodus recounts the story of the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt and their journey towards the Promised Land. In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, revealing His intentions to deliver the Israelites from bondage and fulfill His covenant promise to give them the land of Canaan.
Key Points:
- Covenant Establishment: God emphasises that He has established a covenant with the Israelites. This refers to the covenant made with Abraham (Genesis 17:7-8), where God promised to make him the father of many nations and to give his descendants the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession. The mention of the covenant here reminds the Israelites of God’s faithfulness and His commitment to fulfill His promises.
- God’s Promise of the Land:God reiterates His intention to give the Israelites the land of Canaan. The land of Canaan was a significant part of God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants. It was a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:8), symbolising abundance, prosperity, and God’s favour. This promise not only served as a physical inheritance but also as a spiritual symbol of God’s faithfulness and blessing.
- Pilgrimage and Strangers:God describes the land of Canaan as the “land of their pilgrimage” and where they were “strangers.” The Israelites had been living as sojourners in Egypt, far from their ancestral land. The term “pilgrimage” implies that their time in Egypt was temporary, and they were journeying towards their true home. Despite their years of slavery and oppression, God reminds them that their ultimate destination is the land He has promised them.
Lessons and Applications:
- Faithfulness of God: Exodus 6:4 reminds us of God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promises. Just as God was faithful to the Israelites, He remains faithful to His people today. We can trust in God’s faithfulness, even during times of difficulty or waiting.
- God’s Timing:The Israelites had to endure slavery in Egypt before their liberation and journey to the Promised Land. This teaches us the importance of patience and trusting in God’s timing. Sometimes, God’s plans unfold gradually, and we need to have faith and perseverance as we wait for His promises to be fulfilled.
- The Concept of Pilgrimage:The mention of the “land of their pilgrimage” reminds us that our time on Earth is temporary. As Christians, we are on a spiritual journey towards our eternal home with God. We should approach life as pilgrims, focusing on our ultimate destination and living in anticipation of God’s promises.
- Inheritance in Christ:As believers in Christ, we have also been given a covenant and a promised inheritance. Through faith in Jesus, we become partakers of the new covenant (Hebrews 8:6) and receive the promise of eternal life in the presence of God. Just as the land of Canaan was a physical inheritance for the Israelites, our inheritance is in Christ Jesus.
In conclusion, Exodus 6:4 reminds us of God’s covenant with the Israelites, His promise of the land of Canaan, and the significance of their pilgrimage as strangers in Egypt. We can draw lessons from this verse, such as trusting in God’s faithfulness, patiently waiting for His timing, living as pilgrims on a spiritual journey, and embracing our inheritance
in Christ.
