Deuteronomy 12:9
for you have not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance that the LORD your God is giving you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse isn't just saying Canaan is a gift, but that the rest and inheritance are still future for them. Even as they're about to enter the promised land, God reminds them that true, complete rest and inheritance aren't found in the land itself, but in what it ultimately points to.
Moses is reminding the Israelites that their journey isn't over yet; they are on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, a place of rest and inheritance. This command to worship only the Lord in the specific place He chooses comes as they stand at the border of Canaan, not yet settled and facing the challenges of conquering the land. Therefore, the future, settled worship in the land is being established now, in anticipation of that coming rest and inheritance.
Moses speaks of 'rest' and 'inheritance' but what did these words truly signify for the Israelites?
When Moses says Israel has "not yet come to the rest and to the inheritance that the LORD your God is giving you," he's painting a picture far richer than just arriving in a new land.
A Twofold Promise
This 'rest' and 'inheritance' were a foretaste of the eternal rest and inheritance believers have in Christ, a reality that begins now and finds its ultimate fulfillment in heaven.
If the promised land was still ahead, what was the 'now' for the Israelites?
Deuteronomy 12:9 highlights a crucial tension: the Israelites were on the way to God's promise, but they weren't there yet.
Living Between the Promises
Understand the original words
menuchah · Hebrew Noun
A state of peace, settled security, or cessation from labor and warfare, often pointing forward to the ultimate spiritual rest found in God's kingdom.
nachalah · Hebrew Noun
Property or a legacy given by God to His people; in Israel’s case, it refers specifically to the land of Canaan promised to the patriarchs.
This passage directly echoes the concept of 'rest' mentioned in Deuteronomy, contrasting Joshua's inability to give rest with the true, eternal rest that believers find in Christ.
Joshua 1:13This verse from Joshua speaks about the inheritance of the land, a concept directly tied to the 'inheritance' spoken of in Deuteronomy, showing the transition from earthly possession to God's promised blessings.
Colossians 1:12This passage speaks of being 'qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints in light,' mirroring the idea of an inheritance given by God, but shifting the focus to a spiritual, heavenly reality.
1 Corinthians 10:4Here, the rock that followed Israel in the wilderness is identified as Christ, suggesting that the 'rest' and 'inheritance' promised in the Old Testament had their ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is our true rest and inheritance.
pooleDeuteronomy 12:9: "For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth you."
No text from Poole on this verse.
gillDeuteronomy 12:9: "For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth you."
For ye are not yet come to the rest,.... The land of Canaan, which was typical of the rest which remains for the people of God in heaven; for though they now enter into a spiritual rest in Christ, they are not yet come to their eternal rest; they are in a world of trouble, through sin, Satan, and wicked men; but they shall come to it, as Israel did to Canaan; for God has promis…
The verse isn't just saying Canaan is a gift, but that the rest and inheritance are still future for them. Even as they're about to enter the promised land, God reminds them that true, complete rest and inheritance aren't found in the land itself, but in what it ultimately points to.
Moses is reminding the Israelites that their journey isn't over yet; they are on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, a place of rest and inheritance. This command to worship only the Lord in the specific place He chooses comes as they stand at the border of Canaan, not yet settled and facing the challenges of conquering the land. Therefore, the future, settled worship in the land is being established now, in anticipation of that coming rest and inheritance.
Moses is reminding the Israelites that their journey isn't over yet; they are on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, a place of rest and inheritance. This command to worship only the Lord in the specific place He chooses comes as they stand at the border of Canaan, not yet settled and facing the challenges of conquering the land. Therefore, the future, settled worship in the land is being established now, in anticipation of that coming rest and inheritance.
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This reminds us that our Christian life is often lived in this 'in-between' space – enjoying God's present blessings while anticipating the fullness of His future promises.
"for you have not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance that the LORD your God is giving you." — The verse isn't just saying Canaan is a gift, but that the rest and inheritance are still future for them. Even as they're about to enter the promised land, God reminds them that true, complete…
