In the chapters before and after Genesis 15 are the promises to Abraham descendants from God. The focus of this study is the lands they will be given to Israel. Here is a guess at what the map of Genesis 15:18-21 might look like if it included all the land from the Nile to the Euphrates. Some scholars stretch the northern boundaries as far as the Black Sea. The southern boundary is the desert which I have taken out to the coast. Scholars are unsure of who is what and the exact extent of these boundaries. What can be determined is it is much larger than what Israel inherited when they crossed the Jordan or the size of modern Israel. Study by:  David Cartmel

For a summary of Israel receiving the birthright promise when Christ returns read Ezekiel 47. To find out when this temple will be built and the Rivers of Living water will be created Zechariah 14:8-9.

Israel crosses the Jordon to receive their inheritance. An Angel leads them and warns that unless they obey God they will be taken away. Until they keep the Commandments they will not come into the entire land Exodus 23:20-33.

In Exodus 23:20 the Angel is the Hebrew word malak meaning a messenger. Malachi lists five messengers. The first messenger is Malachi Malachi 1:1. The second messenger were the Levites who served as priests Malachi 2:7. The third messenger was John the Baptist (My messenger) and the fourth messenger is Christ (before Me) Malachi 3:1, Matthew 11:9-10. The fifth messenger is yet to come (Elijah the Prophet) Malachi 4:5. The Angel in Exodus 23:20 is referring to this fourth messenger Jesus Christ.

Israel did not keep the Commandments and did not receive the lands or fill them. He will not pardon your transgressions Exodus 23:21 may be confusing. This refers to Deuteronomy 29:20 that says if Israel sins and turns away from God all the prophecies concerning the curses will be fulfilled. My name is in Him in Exodus 23:21 refers to the name Jesus meaning literally God is salvation. The promise in Exodus 23:25-26 will be fulfilled during the Millennium. The difference is after Jesus Christ returns those in Israel will worship Him. Those that receive the promise are the remnant that survive the Great Tribulation and are not among the first fruits who on the Great Day of Judgment are raptured to meet Christ in the clouds. The Israelites failed to abide by Exodus 23:33 and worshiped the gods of the Gentiles they allowed to stay in their lands. Thus the promise of Exodus 23:30-31 was not fulfilled. Some say that between King David and King Solomon reigns that much of this land was taken 1 Kings 4:21, however Israel never took both Egypt and the land to the Euphrates. They never numbered over a billion Deut 1:11. The Israelites never replaced the conquered people and expanded to fill the land Exodus 23:29-30.

This plea in Deuteronomy 1:7-8 for Israel to go in and possess the land has many levels. God wants them to come into the promise by keeping His Commandments. God knows Israel will reject God and not come into full possession until after Jesus Christ returns. God's plea is not just those alive at that time, but to all will accept Him as Savior. There are many promises made to Abraham and this should not be confused with the birthright promise in Genesis 48 to the descendants of Joseph and the end time promises in Genesis 49 to each tribe. Read this literally. Go in and possess the land. This is not the covenant promise that God promised Abraham, but a plea for Israel to obey God so they receive the land. The birthright promise is to be fulfilled in a land that was unknown to the Israelites Zechariah 7:14 and does not include the full promise such as the land. Moses understands God's plan that one day in the far future Israel will inherit these lands Deuteronomy 11:24 and in chapters such as Deuteronomy 32 prophecies about Christ's second coming. Israel will receive much more than the land if they keep the Commandments thus possess is a call to obey.

Israel was told to add three cities of refugee in Deuteronomy 19:9-10 and in Joshua 20:7-9 they add three for the safety of those who shed innocent blood. Just as God pleads for Israel to claim the land by keeping His Commandments He is warning them of the future. Whose innocent blood was shed so that we might have life? Deuteronomy 19:10 The promise that Judah is given in Genesis 49:10-11 is the Savior (Shiloh) who they reject.

In Joshua 1:1-9 we have the Israelites crossing into the land to receive the inheritance of the land conditionally. In Joshua 1:7 Joshua sees what Moses said that you may prosper wherever you go. Joshua knows that Israel will not always remain in these lands and in Joshua 1:9 reminds Israel to be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed. This is for Christians as we wait for Jesus Christ to return so we can join Him in Jerusalem. In Joshua 1:8 is a command to both Israel and future Christians; This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.. Israel failed to keep these words, but many Christians do not realize they are also failing and thus will also lose God's blessings. In Joshua 14:9 Joshua and Caleb of the tribes of Ephraim and Judah are the two good spies who spoke truthfully. The lands his foot trod on will be an inheritance to his children. Caleb asks for Mount Hebron. This is a tremendous promise that the descendants of Joshua and Caleb will one day be among those who receive the promise when Jesus Christ returns.

When Israel crossed the Jordon they received part of the inheritance the rest is conditional on keeping the Commandments. In Ezekiel 47:13-21,48:1-29 These are the borders by which you shall divide the land, but the division is less than the land God promised Abraham. Joseph shall have two portions. This is because the descendants of Joseph inherited the bulk of the birthright promises. Even at this time, before receiving the promise, they needed more land to expand into Joshua 17:14-18. The covenant people who became Babylon will return to the Land of Israel after Christ returns. They will never again turn away from God and will finally receive the full promise of the Land of Israel given to Abraham Isaiah 10:20-22.

Map of Greater Israel as defined in Genesis 15:18-21 from Wikipedia - Greater Israel

The land of Israel will be transformed after Christ returns Isaiah 40:4. The Sea of Egypt will be destroyed Isaiah 11:15-16. The Nile (the River, and strike it in the seven streams) and Red Sea (Sea of Egypt) will also be dry enough to walk across. So the terrain around Israel will be greatly changed during the last days of the Great Tribulation. Enough so that Christ will cause healing waters to flow to the seas to restore life and clean the pollution Zechariah 14:8. When Christ returns He will establish the Land of Israel for the remnant left of the tribes of Israel and He will allow them to plunder the remains from the armies that came up against Christ. The entire world will worship Christ Zephaniah 2:9 and He will restore rain and fertility to Israel Joel 2:23.

In the Millennium Christ will rule the world from the South Pole to the North Pole (ends of the earth). Those in the Place of Safety (who dwell in the wilderness) will join Him in the clouds on the Day of Judgment. All nations will worship God Psalm 72:8-11. During Christ's first coming He entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey and a colt. When He returns He will come in glory to rule the entire world. He will destroy the war machines (chariots and horses) and stop the destruction by nuclear weapons (arrows) Zechariah 9:9-10.


When Christ returns not only will He re-establish Israel, but His dominion will be all the earth.

When Israel came into the Land of Israel God put a condition that they keep the Commandments. Israel turned away from God and did not receive what was promised to Abraham. When Christ returns the remnant of Israel will return and receive the entire inheritance. God pleads with Israel to keep the Commandments so that they will receive the promise and not reject Christ when He comes. Joshua knew that Israel will fail and be cast to the four corners and told us to be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go Joshua 1:9. These prophecies of the Land of Israel are both for the ancient people of Israel and for the time when Christ will return. Most of the tribes of Israel have been lost, but before Christ returns they will receive the gospel Matthew 10:6. They worship in Christ's name, but must also learn to love Him by keeping the Commandments.

Genesis 15:18-21, Genesis 49:10-11, Exodus 23:20-33, Deuteronomy 1:7-8, Deuteronomy 11:24, Deuteronomy 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 29:20, Joshua 1:1-9, Joshua 14:9, Joshua 17:14-18, Joshua 20:7-9, Psalm 72:8-11, Isaiah 10:20-22, Isaiah 11:15-16, Ezekiel 47:13-21, Ezekiel 48:1-29, Zephaniah 2:9, Zechariah 7:14, Zechariah 9:9-10, Zechariah 14:8, Malachi 1:1, Malachi 2:7, Malachi 3:1, Malachi 4:5, Matthew 10:6, Matthew 11:9-10, Matthew 21:1-8, Revelation 19:11.