Many people today are dabbling in real estate in order to earn a little extra money on the side. Well, wouldn't you know it? YHVH is into that business too! First He is seen creating the property that He will own and then He takes possession over all of it. Psalm 24:1 states: "The earth is YHVH’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein”. In Psalm 89:11 we read: "The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; the world and all its fullness, You have founded them”. And 1st Corinthians 10:26 reiterates Psalm 89:1by quoting: "The earth is the Lord's and all its fullness."
These scriptures attest to the fact that YHVH has never lost the title deed of ownership of the earth to any devil. However, He shared His dominion with mankind. "Then Elohim said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth’" (Gen. 1:26). In this short statement YHVH was setting up His kingdom on earth, and man (male and female in this context) was to be in charge of overseeing, ruling or subduing all living things.
Subduing does not mean exploiting, but actually just the opposite. It stands for imparting life and light to the living creatures. Yet at first nothing was said about property rights. It was only until after the nations (goyim) were divided up that this issue came to the fore. Thus we read in Genesis 10:32: "These were the families of the sons of Noah, according to their generations, in their nations; and from these the nations were divided on the earth after the flood" (emphasis added). Genesis 10:25 says: "To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided" (emphasis added). And, "When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel" (Deut. 32:8). Now, why would Elohim set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the Children of Israel, when Israel was not even around at the time of Peleg? Peleg was the son of Eber, or Ever in Hebrew, whose name is forever stamped upon the Israelites – Hebrews - and is one of the forefathers of Abraham. And so, in this short statement from Deuteronomy 32, we see YHVH establishing His "kingdom order" in the family of Noah.
As we follow YHVH's plan, we see Him implementing it right from the start by putting it in order, as is seen later in the covenant that He was to make with Abraham the father of Israel: "Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are--northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land [eretz] which you see I will give to you and your descendants forever. I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth [eretz]; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth [eretz], then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk on the land [eretz] through its length and its width, for I give it to you" (Gen.13:14-17). Abraham could not take possession of the inheritance until he made his presence in the place. This is somewhat like the old Turkish (Ottoman) law that determines that ground could be claimed by planting or building on it. The life of Abraham was destined to be scattered "like dust" all over the earth. Could this be how Abraham was to become, as Romans 4:13 terms it, "heir of the kosmos" - fixed order of YHVH's government? However, it is not only given to those who are of the law but also to those "who are of the faith of Abraham who is the father of us all" (Rom. 4:16).
Abram was living somewhere between Ai and Bethel when YHVH uttered the above-quoted promise (Deut. 13:14-17). I would like to take the liberty to expand on the meaning of this blessing based on its context: "Arise walk in the earth through its length and its breath and I will give it to you". The Hebrew word "eretz" can be translated earth, land, field or ground but it actually comes from a root meaning to "be firm”. Thus a translator may use any of these English words at their discretion according to the context. My understanding of the context, in light of the massive blessing of multiplicity, is that the seed would be as the dust of the earth (eretz), and dust as we know usually covers everything. I believe that YHVH did not limit this blessing to Abraham only and to a specific land (Canaan), but also to his seed and to the entire earth (incidentally, notice the similarity: “earth” – “eretz”). His intent was to sow the seed into all the earth (eretz), thus perpetuating the blessing that He made with Adam and Noah to “fill the earth and rule over [subdue] it".
Later on in the life of Abraham, YHVH says to him that his seed would be like the stars of heaven (ref. Gen.15:5). This is again a numerical reference, but moreover, also to that of position as the stars, along with the moon, were to rule and to be for signs and for seasons.
Abraham, now in the 'form' of his own multiplied seed, was also told that 'he' would be a nation (goy) and that this goy would be a goy of princes and priests: “And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel…” (Exodus 19:6). And, "YHVH will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath” (Deut. 8:13). The irrevocable destiny of the life of the forefathers was to have dominion, to subdue and rule this planet earth.
The Patriarchs are very much alive today in their progeny, whether their children know it or not, for did YHVH not say that He is the "Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Elohim of the living?" (Mat. 22:32)? This is why our eyes must be open to present truth, or reality.
YHVH is a covenant keeping Elohim, and we in this generation are the witnesses to that faithfulness, loving-kindness and mercy. That being so not just by what we say, but more so by who we are. Worshiping in spirit and in truth is being who YHVH has created us to be, and at the same time also recognizing this incredible living truth – that we are "the workmanship of YHVH". “But when he [Jacob] sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, they will sanctify My name, hallowing the Holy One of Jacob, and fearing the Elohim of Israel” (Is. 29:22-24 emphasis added). We are His living stones, hewn from the rock who is "Abraham our father and Sarah who gave birth to us in pain" (Is. 51:2). "For He spoke and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The counsel of YHVH stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations… Blessed is the nation whose Elohim is YHVH, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance" (Ps. 33:9, 11-12). "Because YHVH loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, YHVH has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage” (Deut.7:8). Why did YHVH do all that? So that we (Israel) might be filled with His Spirit, and be that channel of His life and light to the earth.
"Let Your mercy, O YHVH, be upon us, just as we have waited upon You" (Ps. 33:22). "For those who wait on YHVH, they shall inherit the earth" (Ps. 37:9, ref. also v. 34).
Ephraim
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