i. The Earth (Dirt) is foundational to all God does
1 Samuel2:8 For the foundations of the earth are the Lords upon them he has set the world
John 12:32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.
ii. Spiritual issues regarding earth (Cultivated land, dirt)
Genesis 1:24 Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind"; and it was so.
Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
NOTE: Generational sin from our ancestors. The view that the land is part of our family tree
Generational transfer from the land. Cleansing the land in a region Breaks sin patterns,
iii A CALL TO STEWARDSHIP
Psalm 115;16 The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth He has given to man.
Genesis 1:26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in our image, according to our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
NOTE: Rule-the laws and regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for observance by its followers.
Mankind was originally meant to be the ambassador from the Father to the created order.
Western view of what is important to God the Father
Genesis 2:15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.
NOTE: Cultivate-to promote the growth or development of the Garden
Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
NOTE: Subdue-to bring under cultivation
To Cause the earth to prosper to glorify the Father
not to glorify man
Psalm 8:5-8 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hand, you put everything under his feet.
iv. LANDS ABILITY TO RECEIVE OUR INIQUITY
Genesis 3:17 Then to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, `You shall not eat from it'; Cursed is the ground because of you; Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return."
Genesis 4:10-13 The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you cultivate the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you; you shall be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth. And Cain said to the Lord, "My punishment is too great to bear!
Leviticus 17:24-28 Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways……Even the land was defiled; so I punished it (the land) and the land vomited out its inhabitants….if you defile the land, it will vomit you out.
Isaiah 65:15b-16 But my servants will be called by another name. Because he who is blessed in the earth shall be blessed by the God of truth; and he who swears in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hidden from my sight!
Jeremiah 3: 2b-3a And you have polluted a land with your harlotry and with your wickedness, the face of the showers have been withheld…
Jeremiah 3:6b-9 She went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and she was a harlot there. And I thought, ‘After she has done all these things, she will return to Me’; but she did not return, and her treacherous sister Judah saw it. And I saw that for all the adulteries of faithless Israel, I had sent her away and given her a writ of divorce, yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear; but she went and was a harlot also. And it came about because of the lightness of her harlotry, that she polluted the land and committed adultery with stones and trees.
Jeremiah 14: 4-9 “Because the ground is cracked, for there has been no rain on the land; the farmers have been put to shame, they have covered their heads. For even the doe in the field has given birth only to abandon her young, because there is no grass. And the wild donkeys stand n the bare heights; they pant for air like jackals, their eyes fail for there is no vegetation. Although our iniquities testify against us, O Lord, act for Thy name’s sake! Truly our apostasies have been many, we have sinned against Thee. Thou Hope of Israel, its Savior in time of distress, Why art Thou like a stranger in the land or like a traveler who has pitched his tent for the night? Why art Thou like a man dismayed, like a mighty man who cannot save? Yet Thou art in our midst, O Lord, and we are called by Thy name; Do Not Forsake Us!”
Jeremiah 16:18 And I will first doubly repay their iniquity and their sin, because they have polluted My land; they have filled My inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable idols and with their abominations.
Jeremiah 18:15b-16 And they have stumbled from their ways, from the ancient paths, to walk in bypaths, not on a highway, to make their land a desolation, an object of perpetual hissing; everyone who passes by it will be astonished and shake his head.
Ezra 9:11 The land you are entering to possess is a land polluted by the corruption of its people. By their detestable practices they have filled it with iniquity from one end to another.
Ezekiel 9:9-11 Then He said to me, "The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perversity; for they say, `The Lord has forsaken the land, and the Lord does not see!
2 Kings 22: 16-17 “thus says the Lord, “Behold, I bring evil on this place and on its inhabitants, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read. Because they have forsaken Me and have burned incense to other gods that they might provoke Me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore My wrath burns against this place, and it shall not be quenched.”
NOTE: Land –(erets) common, country, earth field, ground
v. LAND BEARS WITNESS
Joshua 24:27 This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all our words the Lord has said to us. It will be a witness against you, if you are untrue to your God.
vi MANKIND INTERCEEDING ON BEHALF OF THE LAND
Ezekiel 22-30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.
Genesis 5:29 Now he called his name Noah, saying, "This one shall give us rest from our work and from the toil of our hands arising from the ground which the Lord has cursed."
Jeremiah 12:11b The whole land has been made desolate, because no man lays it to heart.
vii GODS ANSWER ON BEHALF OF THE LAND
John 3:16. For God so loved (agaped) the world (kosmos-land, water, creation, mankind) that he sent his only son that who believes in him shall have eternal (exercise judgment on the earth, similar to the issues of Sodom and Gomorrah) life.
Mark 16:15 And He said to them, :Go into all the world (Kosmos)and preach (Kerusso-to proclaim and to be heard)the gospel (Euaggelion-Good news of the kingdom of God and salvation through Christ) to all creation (ktisis-a founding of a city, colonization of a habitable place. , the total of all God created).”
Psalm 85: 1-13 Oh Lord, Thou didst show favor to Thy land; Thou didst restore the captivity of Jacob. Thou didst forgive the iniquity of Thy people; Thou didst cover all their sin. Thou didst withdraw all thy fury; Thou didst turn away from Thy burning anger. Restore us, O God of our salvation, and cause Thine indignation toward us to cease. Wilt Thou be angry with us forever? Wilt Thou prolong Thine anger to all generations? Wilt Thou not Thyself revive us again, that Thy people may rejoice in Thee? Show us Thy lovingkindness, O Lord, and grant us Thy salvation. I will hear what God the Lord will say; for He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him. That glory may dwell in our land. Lovingkindness and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth springs from the earth; and righteousness looks down from heaven. Indeed, the Lord will give what is good; and our land will yield its produce. Righteousness will go before Him, and will make His footsteps into a way.
viii. CREATION AWAITS RIGHTEOUS STEWARDS
Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation (land, seas, heavens, animals) groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
Matthew 15:13 But He answered and said,“Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.”
Note: Wrong teaching about His Kingdom will be uprooted.
ix. CREATION JOINS IN BATTLE
2 Samuel 18:8 the forest claimed more lives that day than the sword.
Joshua 4:22 ..then you shall inform your children, saying, ‘Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground.’
Joshua 10:13 So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jashar: And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.
x. CREATION WORSHIPS ITS CREATOR
Psalm 98:7 Let the sea roar and all it contains, the World and those who dwell in it. Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains sing together for joy before the lord; for He is coming to judge the earth (cultivated land-have we been good stewards); He will judge the world (kosmos-the created order as a whole) with righteousness, and the peoples (nations) with equity.
NOTE: Does this scripture suggest that on the Day of Judgment we present our stewardship of the land, stewardship of the worlds systems and then ourselves before the Father?
Psalms 19:1-6 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
Leviticus 25:34 Then the land will enjoy its Sabbath rest all the time that it lies desolate and you are in the country of your enemies; then the land will rest and enjoy its Sabbath….the land will have the rest it did not have during the Sabbath you lived in it.
Psalm 148:3 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light! Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created. He has also established them forever and ever; He has made a decree which shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths; Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word; Mountains and all hills; Fruitful trees and all cedars; Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and flying fowl; Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth; Both young men and maidens; Old men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven.
xi. CREATION TEACHES US KINGDOM PERSPECTIVES
Job 12:7 But now ask the beasts and let them teach you; and the birds of the heavens and let them tell you. Or speak to the earth (cultivated dirt or land) and let it teach you; and let the fish of the sea declare to you. Who among all these does not know (spiritual understanding) that the hand of the Lord has done this, in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?
Ephesians 1:10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth in Him,
Luke 19:37-40 As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, shouting: "Blessed is the King who comes I the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." But Jesus answered, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!"
Jeremiah 12:4 How long is the land to mourn and the vegetation of the countryside to wither? For the wickedness of those who dwell in it, animals and birds have been snatched away, because men have said, “He will not see our latter ending”.
Ezekiel 43:1b …and behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the way of the east. And His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory.
xii. MEMORY OF CREATION
Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth (surface of the globe especially cultivated land) will be filled with the knowledge (knowing with familiarity gained through experience) of the glory (praise, honor and distinction) of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
Deuteronomy 32:1-4 Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, as raindrops on the tender herb, and as showers on the grass. For I proclaim the name of the Lord: ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.
Psalm 50:4 He summons the heavens above, and the earth (dirt), to judge (examine) his people. Gather my godly ones to me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice and the heavens declare His righteousness, for God himself is judge. (This scripture suggest that the kosmos will bear witness to our stewardship as God looks toward his people)
xiii. GOD SPEAKS TO THE LAND
Ezekiel 20:46 Son of man, set your face toward Teman, and speak out against the south, and prophesy against the forest land of the Negev, and say to the forest of the Negev, ‘Hear the word of the Lord: thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am about to kindle a fire in you, and it shall consume every green tree in you, as well as every dry tree; the blazing flame will not be quenched, and the whole surface from south to north will be burned by it. “And all flesh will see that I, the Lord, have kindled it; it shall not be quenched.”’” Then I said, “Ah Lord God! They are saying of me, ‘Is he not just speaking parables?’”
Ezekiel 36:2-11 “ And you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say, ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord. ‘Thus says the Lord God, “ Because the enemy has spoken against you, ‘Aha!’ and, ‘The everlasting heights have become our possession’, therefore, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “ For good cause they have made you desolate and crushed you from every side, that you should become a possession of the rest of the nations, and you have been taken up in the talk and the whispering of the people.’” ‘Therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God, Thus says the Lord God to the mountains and to the hills, to the ravines and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes and to the forsaken cities, which have become a prey and a derision to the rest of the nations which are round about, therefore, thus says the Lord God, “Surely in the fire of My jealousy I have spoken against all Edom, who appropriated My land for themselves as a possession with wholehearted joy and with scorn of soul, to drive it out for a prey.” ‘Therefore, prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and say to the mountains and to the hills, to the ravines and to the valleys, “Thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold , I have spoken in my jealousy and in My wrath because you have endured the insults of the nations.’ “Therefore, thus says the Lord God, ‘ I have sworn that surely the nations which are around you will themselves endure their insults. ‘But you, O mountains of Israel, you will put forth your branches and bear your fruit for My people Israel; for they will soon come. ‘For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be cultivated and sown. ‘And I will multiply men on you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities will be inhabited , and the waste places will be rebuilt. ‘And I will multiply on you man and beast; and they will increase and be fruitful; and I will cause you to be inhabited as you were formerly and will treat you better than at the first. Thus you will know that I AM the Lord.
Deuteronomy 32:1-2 The Song of Moses “Give ear, O heavens, and let me speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. Let my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, as the droplets on the fresh grass and as the showers on the herb”
xiv. GODS COVENANT WITH THE LAND
Psalms 24 The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein (all of creation dwells on the earth). For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters (all life is dependant on water). Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! And lift them up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens (kosmos- created order, heavens, land, animals, and mankind) will pass away with a roar and the elements (Stoichelon-the elements or first principles of mater, frequently referring to the fundamental principles of the Christian doctrine)will be destroyed (Luq- to loose, to loose something tied or bound)with intense heat (verse 7 uses the word fire-meaning the brilliance or fire of a diamond), and the earth (Ge-the part of creation which denotes man’s domain and the history transacted between God and man)and its works (Ergon-result or object of employment, making or working. Labor enjoined by and done for Christ as the spreading of His Gospel or the furthering of the kingdom of God on the land or earth) will be burned ( two early manuscripts use the word ‘discovered’ in lieu of ‘burned’) up.
Psalm 105:8 He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commands, for a thousand generations…..the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit.
Isaiah 62:4 It will no longer be said to you, "Forsaken," Nor to your land will it any longer be said, "Desolate"; But you will be called, "My delight is in her," and your land, "Married"; For the LORD delights in you, and to Him your land will be married (to have dominion over).
Genesis 9:13-16 “I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."
2 Chronicles 7:14 "If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (geographic region that includes rivers and streams).
Psalm 104:30 when you send your spirit, they were created and you renew the face of the earth
xv. THE THREE WITNESSES
I John 5:5-8 And who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three who bear witness, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and the three agree in one.
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