In
Genesis and Matthew, we see Jacob and Joseph looking to the future. It
is to be a future of blessing. For both, death was near. the future,
however, was life. In Jacob’s time, the expectation concerned an earthly
land – “God will be with you and take you back to the land of your
fathers” (Genesis 48:21).
In Christ, our expectation concerns a heavenly land – “the Son of Man
is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will
reward each person according to what they have done” (Matthew 16:27). In Proverbs 3:1-2,
we read, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in
your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you
peace and prosperity.” While earthly prosperity is a gift of God for
which we must be grateful, the greatest gift of God is heavenly – “the
gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
" ... Will you ... come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, We are safe" - safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears My Name become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord" (Jeremiah 7:8-11). “God demands a conversion of the mind and heart as the basis of peace and security (cf. Is 26:3), not the superstitious veneration of a stone building or a traditionally sacred site” ( R K Harrison , Jeremiah ).
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