Title: “The Covenant on the Land”
Once upon a time, it was instilled into the children of Israel, the laws and commands that had to be respected and fulfilled as they marched into the land promised by God, Jehovah, the Almighty. Their obedience to the laws was a condition for possession and living upon this land, a land flowing with abundance and prosperity.
Jehovah asked the Israelites to destroy all the sacred places formerly revered by the nations they would displace. This included the mountainous worshipped regions, sites on hills, and under the vibrant green trees. They were commanded to decimate these altars, crush the disbelieving pillars, set the Asherim idols on fire, hew down the engraved gods’ images, and eradicate their names from that land. This was not to be done in contempt but to assert the sovereignty of Jehovah.
Guidance followed that they were not to dishonor Jehovah, their protector and the God of their ancestors. Instead, they were advised to locate a suitable place chosen by Jehovah among their tribes, where His magnificent name would be installed and His existence celebrated. They would then bring their offerings in the form of burnt sacrifices, tithes, vows, freewill-offerings, and the firstlings of their herd and flock.
The children of Israel were promised they shall devour their meals before the Lord and find joy in the blessings endowed by Him, eating and rejoicing in their households’ fruits. However, until they reached their inheritance, the place of rest that Jehovah would provide, they were not to follow their own understanding.
As they crossed the Jordan river and dwelled in the blessed land, Jehovah would grant them safety from all their enemies, allowing them to live in peace and tranquility. In this chosen place, they would bring all that Jehovah commanded – from offerings to vows, in honor of Him.
It was an absolute requisite to acknowledge the Levites, who were without any territorial allotment like other tribes. They were to be included in the celebrations and offerings made before Jehovah. Special care was maintained for the offerings to be made only at the chosen place and not wherever they pleased.
Jehovah’s chosen location for worship might have been far away for some tribes. But they could slaughter their herd for food within their gates, observing certain rules. However, they were not permitted to consume blood, seen as the life force. Blood had to be poured out on the earth, discarded, and not eaten along with the flesh.
The people were commanded not to forget their obligations to the Levites as long as they lived in the land, especially when Jehovah enlarged their borders. Jehovah provided these laws and instructions in order to protect them and ensure their prosperity. He urged them not to be ensnared into the ways of the nations they dispossessed.
In the end, the Israelites were reminded of the sacredness of Jehovah’s commands. They were to follow them to the letter, without addition or subtraction. God’s covenant with His people continued, based on these laws and commands, and their obedience would effectively shape their future in the Promised Land.
