The Landowners :: By Daniel Payne

The Nation of Israel

Once upon a time—long ago—there lived an extraordinary family on a grand estate. As the seasons changed and the flowers grew, their fertile land glowed with abundance and protection. Then one dreadful day, the family was attacked by an enemy from another kingdom. Their home was destroyed and they were driven from their land.

As the years passed—when the family was far away—the wreckage of their home endured in ruins while a few squatters encroached on the once fertile fields—nonetheless, bearing no further harvest.

Then one day—at long last—the family returned home—to the house and land they still rightfully owned. They began to rebuild that which was destroyed—tilling the hills, planting fresh crops, raising new livestock, and rebuilding their lodgings.

In a short time—after an abundance of inspiration and toil—the pastures and fields began to reawaken with the radiance from long ago. Then, without warning, more trespassers came and squatted on their land—setting up small camps roundabout the property.

The landowners were very reasonable toward the squatters. They endeavored to live in peace with the trespassers in exchange for… living in peace. However, as the rewards of the family’s hard work became more evident—they rebuilt their home and reaped harvests more fruitful each season—the squatters attacked.

Although the hard work accomplished by the family improved life for all—even the squatters—the family was still attacked, over and over again. And so it has been for several generations—to this very day.

All hope is not lost concerning the family however—for one day a great and righteous King will return and restore justice to His kingdom. His soldiers will ride far and wide, vanquishing His enemies and protecting the family forever more.

No power on earth can change it—not now—not ever.

Shalom aleikhem Israel

“I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. I will plant them in their land, and no longer shall they be pulled up from the land I have given them,’ Says the Lord your God” (Amos 9:14-15).

“Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth, O seed of Abraham His servant, You children of Jacob, His chosen ones! He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth. He remembers His covenant forever, the word which He commanded, for a thousand generations, The covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac, and confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant” (Psalm 105:5-10).

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

“Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

“Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him” (Psalm 2).