The Land Belongs to God: Faith, Justice, and the Call to Stewardship
By Dr. Yousef AlKhouri, Academic Dean.
Land is God’s precious gift to humanity and all of creation. From the very beginning, humanity was formed from the soil and entrusted with the sacred mission of caring for the land. Scripture affirms that the entire cosmos, including the land, belongs to God (Lev. 25:23; Ps. 24:1). The land is not a passive or lifeless entity—it is a breathing, living being that responds to human actions. It testifies to justice and righteousness, and it rejects those who defile it through sin and oppression (Lev. 18:28). The centrality of land is woven throughout the biblical narrative. It is a key theme in the Hebrew Bible, in the teachings of Jesus, and in the witness of the early church. Jesus proclaims that “the meek shall inherit the land” (Matt. 5:5), affirming that it is not the powerful or the violent who ultimately possess the land, but those who live in humble obedience to God. Jesus himself embodies this meekness (Matt. 11:29), and those who follow him in faithfulness become co-heirs with him in the land.
Christians must also read Jesus’ teachings about the land in light of the geo-political realities of his time. Jesus preached the Good News while living under brutal military occupation. The Roman Empire, like many colonial powers throughout history, seized land through military force, exploited its resources, and oppressed its people. Yet, in the divine economy of the Kingdom of God, the mighty may claim land through unjust means, but only the meek—those who rely on God’s justice—shall truly inherit it. Jesus’ words stand as both a challenge and a promise: empires rise and fall, but God’s vision for justice and peace remains.
For Palestinian Christians, the land is not merely a place—it is part of our identity. We are made from its soil, and our roots run deep. Like our ancient olive trees, we are steadfast, resilient, and unshakable. Our commitment to the land is an expression of our faith, a declaration of God’s love and care for all people who dwell upon it.
Land Day is not just a day of remembrance; it is an act of faith. It is a testimony to God’s enduring grace and rightful ownership of the land. As we commemorate this day, we do so with gratitude, with reverence, and with a firm commitment to justice. The land is meant to be a sacred stage where humanity demonstrates its devotion to God’s vision—where justice, love, and mercy flourish. As we observe Land Day, let us reaffirm our sacred duty: to honor God’s commandments, to uphold the dignity of all people, and to stand firm in the face of injustice. For the land belongs to God, and those who walk in God’s ways shall inherit it.
