Exodus 6:4
I also established My covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land where they lived as foreigners.
I also established My covenant with them
This phrase refers to God's covenant with the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The covenant is a central theme in the Bible, representing God's promises and relationship with His chosen people. In Genesis 15 and 17, God makes a covenant with Abraham, promising numerous descendants and the land of Canaan. This covenant is unconditional and everlasting, highlighting God's faithfulness. The covenant is foundational to Israel's identity and their understanding of God's plan for them.

to give them the land of Canaan
The land of Canaan is the Promised Land, a significant geographical and theological concept in the Bible. It represents God's promise of a homeland for His people, a place of rest and blessing. Canaan is located in the region of modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and parts of Jordan and Syria. The promise of land is a recurring theme, seen in Genesis 12:7 and reiterated throughout the Pentateuch. This promise is fulfilled in the book of Joshua when the Israelites take possession of the land.

the land where they lived as foreigners
This phrase emphasizes the temporary and transient nature of the patriarchs' existence in Canaan. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived as sojourners, without permanent ownership of the land, as seen in Genesis 23:4 and Hebrews 11:9. This status as foreigners underscores their faith in God's promises, as they looked forward to a future fulfillment. It also foreshadows the Israelites' later experience in Egypt and their eventual exodus and conquest of Canaan. The concept of living as foreigners is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are described as strangers and pilgrims on earth (1 Peter 2:11), looking forward to a heavenly homeland.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The speaker in this verse, reaffirming His covenant with the Israelites.

2. The Israelites
The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to whom God made His covenant.

3. Canaan
The land promised by God to the Israelites, where they lived as foreigners.

4. Covenant
A solemn agreement made by God with the patriarchs, promising them the land of Canaan.

5. Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob)
The forefathers of the Israelites with whom God initially established His covenant.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness
God's covenant with the Israelites demonstrates His unwavering faithfulness. Despite their circumstances, He remains committed to His promises.

Living as Foreigners
The Israelites' experience in Canaan as foreigners parallels the Christian journey on earth. Believers are called to live with the hope of their eternal home.

Covenant Relationship
Understanding the depth of God's covenant encourages believers to trust in His promises and live in obedience to His will.

Historical Context
Recognizing the historical and cultural context of God's promises helps deepen our understanding of His plans and purposes.

Hope and Assurance
Just as God fulfilled His promises to the Israelites, believers can have hope and assurance that He will fulfill His promises to us.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's covenant with the Israelites enhance our trust in His promises today?

2. In what ways can we relate to the Israelites' experience of living as foreigners in Canaan in our own spiritual journey?

3. How does the faith of the patriarchs, as seen in Hebrews 11, inspire us to live by faith in God's promises?

4. What are some practical ways we can remind ourselves of God's faithfulness in our daily lives?

5. How can we apply the concept of a covenant relationship with God in our personal walk with Him?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 17
This chapter details God's covenant with Abraham, promising him numerous descendants and the land of Canaan.

Exodus 3
God speaks to Moses from the burning bush, reaffirming His promise to deliver the Israelites from Egypt and bring them to Canaan.

Hebrews 11
This chapter highlights the faith of the patriarchs, who trusted in God's promises despite not seeing them fulfilled in their lifetimes.

Psalm 105
Celebrates God's faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham and His deeds in bringing Israel to the Promised Land.
A Divine Commentary on a Divine NameJ. Orr Exodus 6:1-9
The Message to Afflicted IsraelJ. Urquhart Exodus 6:2-8
A True Pattern of Gospel RedemptionJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 6:4-5
God's Covenant to His PeopleExodus 6:4-5
Reasons for Human RedemptionJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 6:4-5
People
Aaron, Abiasaph, Abihu, Amminadab, Amram, Assir, Canaanitish, Carmi, Egyptians, Eleazar, Elisheba, Elkanah, Elzaphan, Enoch, Gershon, Hanoch, Hezron, Isaac, Israelites, Ithamar, Izhar, Jachin, Jacob, Jamin, Jemuel, Jochebed, Kohath, Korah, Korahites, Korhites, Levi, Levites, Libni, Mahali, Mahli, Merari, Mishael, Moses, Mushi, Naashon, Nadab, Nahshon, Nepheg, Ohad, Pallu, Phallu, Pharaoh, Phinehas, Putiel, Reuben, Saul, Shaul, Shimei, Shimi, Simeon, Uzziel, Zichri, Zithri, Zohar
Places
Canaan, Egypt
Topics
Agreement, Aliens, Canaan, Covenant, Dwelt, Established, Pilgrimage, Sojourned, Sojourners, Sojournings, Strangers, Travels, Wanderings, Wherein
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 6:4

     1348   covenant, with Abraham
     4207   land, divine gift

Exodus 6:1-8

     7222   exodus, events of

Exodus 6:2-4

     5704   inheritance, material

Exodus 6:2-6

     1443   revelation, OT

Exodus 6:2-8

     6667   grace, in OT

Exodus 6:3-5

     1245   God of the fathers

Exodus 6:4-8

     1349   covenant, at Sinai

Library
To the Saddest of the Sad
I often wonder what those preachers do who feel called to make up their message as they go on; for if they fail, their failure must be attributed in great measure to their want of ability to make up a moving tale. They have to spread their sails to the breeze of the age, and to pick up a gospel that comes floating down to them on the stream of time, altering every week in the year; and they must have an endless task to catch this new idea, or, as they put it, to keep abreast of the age. Unless, indeed,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 34: 1888

From Egypt to Sinai.
Ex. Chs. 1-19 Israel in Egypt. The length of time the Hebrews remained In Egypt is a perplexing question. Exodus 6:16-20 makes Moses the fourth generation from Levi (See Gen. 15:16; Num. 26:57-59). This would make it about 150 years. Gen. 15:13 predicts 400 years. Ex. 12:40 says they were there 430 years and Paul (Gal. 3:17) says 430 years from Abraham to Sinai. These apparently conflicting dates may be explained because of different methods of counting generations, probably based on long lives of
Josiah Blake Tidwell—The Bible Period by Period

Fourth Day. Holiness and Revelation.
And when the Lord saw that Moses turned aside to see, He called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And He said, Draw not nigh hither; put off thy shoes from thy feet, for the place where thou standest is holy ground. And Moses hid his face, for He was afraid to look upon God.'--Ex. iii. 4-6. And why was it holy ground? Because God had come there and occupied it. Where God is, there is holiness; it is the presence of God makes holy. This is the
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Appendix viii. Rabbinic Traditions About Elijah, the Forerunner of the Messiah
To complete the evidence, presented in the text, as to the essential difference between the teaching of the ancient Synagogue about the Forerunner of the Messiah' and the history and mission of John the Baptist, as described in the New Testaments, we subjoin a full, though condensed, account of the earlier Rabbinic traditions about Elijah. Opinions differ as to the descent and birthplace of Elijah. According to some, he was from the land of Gilead (Bemid. R. 14), and of the tribe of Gad (Tanch. on
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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