Who Owns the Land? A Christ-Centered Rethinking of the Middle East Conflict
Listening to the Land: Voices from Nazareth and Jerusalem
This reflection is inspired by a profound conversation between two biblical scholars from the Holy Land—a Nazarene and a Jerusalemite. Too often, the voices of those who live in the land where Jesus walked are overshadowed by Western theological and political interpretations. But what if we paused to listen to those who have inherited not just the geographical realities of the land, but also the spiritual and historical depth of its story?
The modern conflict in the Middle East is often framed in biblical terms, particularly within Western Christian circles. Statements like "Israel has biblical rights to the West Bank" or "There is no such thing as occupation—only Judea and Samaria" are heard in political rhetoric and theological discussions alike. But do these claims align with the full biblical narrative? Does the Bible really teach that a specific people group has an eternal, unconditional right to the land at the expense of others?
To answer these questions, we must move beyond selective proof-texting and read Scripture holistically, through the lens of Christ. The story of the land in the Bible is not static—it is fluid, dynamic, and ultimately finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Understanding this helps us discern a kingdom vision for justice, reconciliation, and true blessing for all people of the land—Jews, Palestinians, and the entire world.
Shifting Borders: What Did God Really Promise?
One of the most striking aspects of biblical land theology is that the borders of the Promised Land are never consistent.
In Genesis 15:18, the land extends from the Nile to the Euphrates.
In Numbers 34:1-12, a different, smaller set of boundaries is given.
Other passages define yet another version of the land's extent.
Why this fluidity? If the land were meant to be an eternal and unchanging possession, shouldn’t God have given one fixed set of boundaries? The shifting nature of these borders suggests that the land promise is not an end in itself—it is part of a larger divine mission.
And what is that mission? Genesis 12:1-3 gives the answer: God’s call to Abraham was not primarily about land, but about being a blessing to all nations. The land was never meant to be an object of possession and exclusion—it was meant to be a means of bringing God’s redemptive plan to the world.
A Fractured Land: How Sin Brought Division
A close reading of Genesis shows that before the fall of humanity, land is never divided. The earth was one. It is only after sin enters the world that borders emerge.
Genesis 10:25 speaks of the land being divided in the days of Peleg—this is linked to the story of the Tower of Babel, where human pride led to division.
Genesis 3:17-19 shows that sin brings a curse not just to people, but to the land itself.
Micah 2:2 condemns those who seize land unjustly, linking conquest with oppression.
This biblical pattern suggests that division and conquest of land are not God’s ideal but a reflection of human brokenness. The promise of God is not about reclaiming territory but about reversing the effects of sin—healing the land and bringing people back into right relationship with God and one another.
The Land Belongs to Christ: A New Inheritance
The New Testament fundamentally transforms the understanding of land. Jesus never speaks of reclaiming borders or expelling people. Instead, He declares:
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)
“The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed... the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Luke 17:20-21)
In Christ, the promise of land expands to include all nations. The inheritance is no longer a strip of territory but the renewal of creation itself (Romans 8:19-22). The true fulfillment of God’s promise is not a political nation-state but the kingdom of God, where all who follow Christ—Jew and Gentile—are one.
Paul makes this even clearer:
“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29)
This means that the inheritance is not ethnic or political—it is spiritual, fulfilled in Christ.
When Scripture Becomes a Weapon: Misusing the Bible in Politics
A misinterpretation of Scripture has led many Christians to uncritically support policies that displace and oppress Palestinians. Statements like “If you bless Israel, God will bless you” (Genesis 12:3) are often used to justify unconditional political backing for the modern state of Israel. But is this what the verse truly means?
A careful reading of Genesis 12:3 in Hebrew shows that it is not a statement of privilege but a command: “Be a blessing.” Abraham’s call was not to dominate others but to serve as a channel of God’s love to all nations.
A theology that justifies injustice in the name of divine promise is a theology stripped of Christ’s ethics. Jesus did not come to establish a political kingdom; He came to break down dividing walls (Ephesians 2:14) and unite people in Himself.
Beyond Borders: The True Blessing of Justice and Mercy
If we take the Bible seriously, we cannot separate theology from ethics. A biblical vision of the land must include justice, mercy, and reconciliation. This means:
Rejecting any ideology that justifies land theft or displacement in the name of God.
Recognizing the equal dignity of both Jews and Palestinians as image-bearers of God.
Advocating for peace based on justice, not power.
Calling for a theology that seeks blessing for all people, not just one group.
The question is not whether God cares about Israel—the Bible is clear that He does. The question is: How do we bless both Jews and Palestinians in a way that aligns with Christ’s vision of the kingdom?
A Kingdom Without Borders: The Final Fulfillment of the Promise
The final fulfillment of the land promise is not a political nation-state but the coming kingdom of God, where “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9).
Until that day, our call as followers of Christ is to embody His kingdom on earth—through love, justice, and reconciliation. If our theology fuels division and oppression rather than peace, we must ask: Are we truly following Jesus, or are we using Scripture to justify human ambitions?
The land belongs not to any one people, but to Christ. And in Him, all who seek His kingdom find their inheritance—not in borders, but in the presence of God Himself.
The Church's Crossroads: Will We Follow Christ or Politics?
As Christians, we must rethink our approach to the Middle East conflict. Are we aligning ourselves with political ideologies, or are we rooted in the gospel of Christ? Are we seeking power, or are we pursuing peace?
The kingdom of God calls us to something higher. Will we answer that call?
