Q: “Jerry, God gave the land of Israel to the Jewish people as an everlasting possession. Genesis is clear. God doesn’t break His promises. So why do you seem to dismiss that?” – Mike B., New Jersey
A: Mike, let’s go straight to the text you’re likely referring to:
“And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession (olam), and I will be their God.” — Genesis 17:8
That word “everlasting” is the Hebrew word olam (Strong’s H5769).
Many Bible versions translate this word as “everlasting,”
However, Olam does not automatically mean “eternal without change.” It often means a long duration, an age, or something tied to a covenantal order.
Before allowing one English translation of a ancient Hebrew word to carry the weight of modern geopolitics, we can ask how that same word is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
It turns out the exact same word—olam—is used all over the Old Testament (438 times to be exact) for things Christians do not believe are still binding today.
Once we see how broadly olam is used, the land promise can no longer be isolated from the rest of the Old Testament’s covenant language.
For example, physical circumcision as a sign of God’s covenant is called “olam.”
“My covenant shall be in your flesh an everlasting covenant (olam).”
— Genesis 17:13
Do you believe that circumcision of the flesh is a sign of God’s election today?
I’d suspect not. Instead, most Christians would say that “physical” circumcision was pointing to a spiritual fulfillment in Christ, who circumcizes our spiritual hearts.
And what about the Levitical priesthood, which is said to be “olam.”
“Their anointing shall admit them to a perpetual (olam) priesthood throughout their generations.” — Exodus 40:15
Do you believe that only physical descendants from the ancient tribe of Levi are God’s chosen priests today?
If you’re a Christian, I’d assume you’d believe in something closer to the priesthood of all believers.
But using your logic, Mike, it would be fair to ask: Why don’t you believe the Bible when it says that God’s chosen priests are to be physical descendants of the ancient tribe of Levi forever (olam)?
Let’s not forget that the keeping of the Sabbath is also called “olam.”
“The people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath… as a covenant forever (olam).” — Exodus 31:16–17
“Every Sabbath day Aaron shall arrange it before the Lord regularly; it is from the people of Israel as a covenant forever (olam).”— Leviticus 24:8
Mike, is it safe to say that you don’t think “olam” means “forever” when it comes to keeping of the Sabbath according to the Mosaic law?
Also, I assume you don’t believe God wants us to sacrifice animals today, right?
Well, that’s a problem, Mike.
Listen to what Leviticus says about the sacrificial system you do not practice:
“The fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually (“olam”); it shall not go out.”
— Leviticus 6:13
Is that fire still burning on the Levitical altar? After all, the Scripture refers to it as “olam.”
And what about the Day of Atonement?
“This shall be a statute forever (“olam”) for you, that atonement may be made… once in the year.” — Leviticus 16:34
Mike, how can God’s people please God today if they fail to gather a young bull, a ram, two male goats, etc in order to keep the Day of Atonement rituals just as God literally gave them to Moses? After all, the Scripture does say that the statutes surrounding this important feast would last forever (“olam”.)
“It shall be a statute forever (olam) throughout your generations.” — Leviticus (multiple passages)
And let’s also not forget about the many dietary restrictions in the law:
“It shall be a statute forever (olam) throughout your generations… that you eat neither fat nor blood.” — Leviticus 3:17
Mike, do you believe this is still binding? After all, this statute is said to last “forever (olam)?
I could keep going but let’s consider just one final example of “olam” in the Torah.
“You may buy male and female slaves from among the nations that are around you.… You may bequeath them to your sons after you to inherit as a possession forever (olam).” — Leviticus 25:44–46
Mike, do you believe God’s people should be able to buy chattel slaves from foreign lands and pass them (and their offspring) as an inheritance to their children forever (“olam”)?
If not, why not? The text is crystal clear: chattel slavery is intended to last forever (“olam”).
Now that we’ve established that you likely reinterpret the meaning of the word forever (“olam”) to mean anything else than “forever” in all of these other instances, why do you insist on it being literal only in the case of the physical land (real estate)?
That seems like selective literalism, no?
This is the problem. Christians already interpret “forever” through context and fulfillment. The only question is whether they are willing to do it consistently.
To be clear, I am not saying God broke His promise. I am saying Christians have often misunderstood how God fulfills His promises. The New Testament does not teach that God’s promises failed. It teaches that they find their “Yes” in Christ. (1 Cor. 1:20)
I think the pattern is rather obvious. When “olam” points to physical circumcision, physical sacrifice, physical priesthood, physical Sabbath laws, or physical chattel slavery, Christians immediately want to talk about “context,” “a different covenant,” and how those things were “fulfilled in Christ.”
But when olam points to physical land, many suddenly become rigid literalists.
Mike, how can we know the right way to interpret “olam” when it comes to the physical land of promise?
It turns out there’s a very simple solution.
Just ask yourself: What did Jesus actually command His followers to do?
For Christians, this should be the final test. However we understand ancient promises, we cannot use them to override the plain command of Jesus to love our enemies.
So let’s be honest.
You already know that olam does not mean eternal and unchanging in every case.
But when it comes to promise of the physical land, it certainly does in your opinion.
Here’s where we disagree, Mike.
Here’s why:
“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” — 2 Corinthians 1:20
The New Testament literally says that “all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ.”
God’s promises have not been postponed.
They’ve been fulfilled.
The trajectory is clear.
Jesus never told His followers to secure physical land.
He told them:
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” — Matthew 5:44
So here’s the real question, Mike:
Do you have any evidence do you have this particular instance of the Hebrew word olam (“forever”) was not fulfilled in Christ?
And, do you want olam to mean “forever” when it comes to physical circumcision?
Do you want olam to mean “forever” when it comes to actual animal sacrifice?
Do you want olam to mean “forever” when it comes to the right to buy and own chattel slaves?
But, it appears you do want olam to mean “forever” when it comes to real estate.
Mike, may I suggest that this line of reasoning has been used to justify genocide, ethnic hatred, and endless religious wars… all under the banner of a divine promise rooted in a cherry-picked interpretation of the Hebrew word “olam.”
Let me say it plainly: If you believe that this word forever (“olam“) requires homicidal violence to uphold it, I believe you’ve misunderstood the promise.
God never breaks His promises. But we can (and do) misunderstand them.
And when we do, we end up defending things Jesus never would.
Blessings,
Jerry Robinson
(TrueRichesAcademy.com)
