In biblical context, the Promised Land is Canaan, that narrow strip of land that lies between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. This land was chosen by God and is esteemed very highly by Him.

Next, God needed a people. He selected Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) who lived in the “fertile crescent” in modern day Iraq. The place where Abraham lived was a good place. Things were predictable, including the rain, the crops, the pasture, and the culture. The place God was calling Abraham to was unknown to him. The lure had to be the promises of Almighty God and the blessing of Almighty God.

Abraham made the journey from Ur to Canaan. From God’s perspective, life is more about the journey than the destination. Abraham had to leave the “known” and travel to the “unknown.”

In the perspective of a Christ-follower, Canaan (i.e. the Promised Land) represents living the life of Christ led and energized by the Holy Spirit of God. It is a life of dependence. Canaan was a dry and rocky land. The rains came, but it was nothing like Ur or Egypt. About the only thing that promoted Canaan was the presence of God.

Abraham traveled to Canaan and soon became a distinct people group. God’s plan for the people of Abraham included some time in Egypt. The time in Egypt was forced by a famine in the Promised Land.

Egypt had the Nile River. There was plenty of water. Crops were predictable. The land would grow anything.

Abraham’s people were transitioned from honored guests to slaves (Exodus 1:11). The slavery continued for generations. When God was ready, He delivered Abraham’s people from Egypt (Exodus 12:31-33).

The destination was Canaan. The journey was hard. Canaan could only be acquired by armed conquest. It was God’s place, but it would be a struggle.

The people failed in the journey. They did not believe that God was able to deliver the land to them (Numbers 13:31-32). God delayed His plans long enough for a new generation to emerge. They did take the Promised Land and established God’s kingdom there.

Ur and Egypt were both bastions of the world system. It seemed to work. Life seemed more fun in the world culture than in Canaan. The prerequisites for God’s blessing stifled the freedom felt even under Egyptian slavery. God’s people in the Promised Land did not go back to Egypt, but they did allow the ways of the Egyptians to permeate their lifestyle. Idolatry and false worship abounded, even in the Promised Land.

God moved against His people and exiled them to Babylon. Babylon was like Egypt, that is, big rivers and fertile land. After seventy years in exile, God determined to send His people back to the Promised Land. This time the trip was voluntary. Whoever desired to return to Canaan did (Ezra 1:3).

The journey was difficult and life was hard. The people who returned went for one reason. They wanted to be in the place where the presence of God was.

The Christ-follower must continually choose against the ways of Ur, Egypt, and Babylon. The world looks good, and the systems of force, greed, selfishness, ambition, and pleasure does pay dividends though short-lived.

Peace with God and the peace of God only come to those who are willing to live God’s way, believing in Jesus Christ and following in His steps.

Anybody ready for the trip to the Promised Land? Can you think of anything better than abiding in Christ (John 15)? The invitation is open and it is, “All Aboard?”

The Rev. Dan Puckett is a minister with Life Action Ministries.