Bible Commentaries

Sojourning with God

Leviticus 25:23

There are two views to be taken of that famous land about which so much of Old Testament history gathers. (1) When you are looking at the children of Israel passing out of Egypt and through the wilderness, their prospect of this promised land awaiting them reminds you of the heavenly inheritance held out to believers as the rest that remaineth for the people of God. (2) But when you think of the Israelites in actual occupation of Canaan, then there are aspects of it which rather suggest the provision of earthly support during this mortal life, which God has promised to His children here in this world.

I. The first thing suggested is the sojourning condition of the children of God in this world. They are strangers and sojourners. It must be admitted in the first place that they have much in common with everybody else. All are lately come into existence—ere long shall cease to be connected with the present order of things, and therefore sojourners. Those therefore are sojourners who really have in view another country; another system of things as their durable inheritance.

II. Observe a great element in this sojourning state emphasized in the text. To be strangers and sojourners has something depressing in it; but a great element of gladness comes when we hear the voice that says "The land is Mine; ye are strangers and sojourners with Me". For a believer this world becomes God's world, and in his sojournings he is assured of a Divine companionship and communion.

III. What way of dealing with our earthly possessions is expected of us in this situation? The "prohibition implied that the Israelite was not to claim absolute ownership, nor was he to act as if he claimed it". He had a use of it under restrictions, but the land continued to be the Lord"s; the Lord had the abiding possession; the Israelite only a transient use as a stranger and a sojourner with God. And you are sojourners so that you are also stewards. These are your Lord's goods. For the direct interest of the cause of God, be stewards—be stewards that shall not fear the reckoning.

—Robert Rainy, Sojourning with God, p1.

Reference.—XXVI:2.—R. G. Soans, Sermons for the Young, p7.