Bible Lands Overview — Week 2

The Land and Its Names

The land at the center of the Bible story has gone by several names across the centuries, and knowing them helps keep the story straight. Canaan is the earliest — named for Noah's grandson, whose descendants inhabited the region before Israel ever arrived. When God made His covenant with Abram in Genesis 12, He promised to give that very land to his descendants. That promise gave rise to another name: the Promised Land. Later, after God changed Jacob's name to Israel, the territory became known simply as the land of Israel. The name Palestine came still later, after the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, when the Romans renamed the province Syria Palestina — a name derived not from the Israelites at all, but from the Philistines, who occupied the coastal region called Philistia.

The Names for God's People

Just as the land changed names, so did the people. Abraham's descendants were called Hebrews while they lived in Egypt. As the tribes descended from Jacob — Israel — multiplied and settled, Israelites or children of Israel became the common designation, used most often throughout the Old Testament. The term Jew came into use much later. One of its earliest appearances is in 2 Kings 16:6, where the original language reads "Jews" even though many English translations render it "men of Judah." Since Judah was the last of the divided kingdom to fall into captivity, the term gradually expanded to cover any Israelite in exile, then those who returned, and finally Israelites scattered everywhere. Today it is the most widely recognized name. To be a Jew is a matter of natural birth — ethnicity and nationality. To be a Christian is another matter entirely. Jesus Himself made the contrast plain: you must be born again. The Jews took pride in being born of Abraham's seed. Jesus said, in effect, you need to start over.

A Pocket-Size Country with a Worldwide Impact

Perhaps the most striking discovery in this study of Bible lands is how small the territory really is. The land of Israel covers roughly 12,000 square miles — less than a quarter of the size of the state of Alabama. From Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south is only about 150 miles. At its widest point — from Gaza to the Dead Sea — it stretches a mere 50 miles. Yet that small strip of land sat at the crossroads of Asia and Africa, connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Arabian desert. Every major trade route ran through it. God's wisdom in placing His people there is plain: Israel was a hub, and through contact with Israel, the surrounding nations were made aware of Him. When they were faithful, He was glorified among the nations. When they strayed, He used those same nations as instruments of discipline. Either way, the world could not ignore what was happening in that little land.

In Closing

A country smaller than North Alabama changed the course of human history and still does to this day. That is not coincidence — it is providence. God placed His people exactly where He intended them to be, and He accomplishes His purposes through means the world would never choose. The same God who is the God of the mountains is equally the God of the valley. Wherever you find yourself today, He is there.