The stories of biblical patriarchs and kings, such as Abraham, Moses, and David, provide powerful case studies on how obedience and devotion to God are prerequisites for success in taking territory and inheriting what God has promised. Their understanding and attendant devotion to erecting and maintenance of altars and the Tabernacle were central to their victories, acting as physical expressions of their faith and the source of their divine guidance. Now, let’s look at a few patterns in the lives of these Biblical patriarchs in order to gain inside into their faith journeys.

Pattern of Obedience and Inheritance

1. Abraham: Obedience and the Altar

Abraham’s call established the principle that obedience is the key to taking and inheriting territory. God commanded him, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing” (Genesis 12:1-2, ESV).

• Territory: The promised territory was the land of Canaan.
• Obedience: Abraham believed God and  immediately obeyed the call and went, not knowing exactly where he was going.
• Devotion (The Altar): Upon entering the land, Abraham’s first act was to build an altar to the Lord at Shechem, and later between Bethel and Ai, and then at Hebron (Genesis 12:7-8, 13:18). These altars were places of:
  • Worship and Consecration: Marking the territory as a place where the Lord had appeared and made a covenant with him.
  • Receiving Guidance: Altars cemented his relationship with God, allowing him to receive ongoing instruction necessary to navigate the hostile environment and secure his inheritance.

2. Moses: Devotion and the Tabernacle

Moses was the instrument through whom the enslaved people of Israel were guided to the border of the Promised Land. His success in leadership and confrontation with the forces of Egypt relied entirely on his devotion to God’s presence.

• Territory: Guiding Israel to the Promised Land (Canaan).
• Obedience: Leading the people out of Egypt and faithfully executing God’s laws on a daily basis as shown to him.
• Devotion (The Tabernacle): The Tabernacle—the portable sanctuary—was the ultimate symbol of God’s presence, teaching the nation that victory stemmed from dwelling with God.
  • Guidance and Protection: The cloud and fire that covered the Tabernacle served as their physical guide for movement and safety (Exodus 40:34-38).
  • The Altar of Sacrifice: The Brazen Altar in the Tabernacle’s courtyard was the first object encountered, signifying that access to God and success in the land required atonement and sacrifice. The presence of God (the Tabernacle) guaranteed their successful inheritance of the territory.

3. David: Obedience and the Devotion of a King

King David successfully unified and expanded Israel’s borders, taking and inheriting the fullest extent of the promised territory from the River of Egypt to the Euphrates (2 Samuel 8).

• Territory: The full breadth of the Promised Land.
• Obedience: David was described as “a man after [God’s] own heart, who will do all my will” (Acts 13:22). His obedience involved military conquest and upholding justice.
• Devotion (Worship): David’s great priority was to bring the Ark of the Covenant—the physical representation of God’s throne and presence—to Jerusalem. This act transformed his political capital into the spiritual capital of the nation (2 Samuel 6).
  • His devotion was manifest in uninhibited worship and establishing continuous musical praise and worship (1 Chronicles 16:37).
  • He also prepared the plans and resources for the Temple, the permanent structure to house God’s presence, ensuring his successors’ continued success (1 Chronicles 22).

Modern Application: Inheriting the Nations Today

For the modern-day mission effort to spread and reach the nations—often interpreted as the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19)—these principles remain highly relevant:

• Modern Territory is Spiritual: The “promised land” today is the spiritual inheritance of the nations being brought into the Kingdom of God.
• The Altar is Personal Consecration:
  • The modern-day “altar” is our personal, constant surrender and consecration to Christ.
  • Success in reaching nations is directly tied to the individual and corporate commitment to sacrificial living and uncompromising devotion and worship (Romans 12:1).
• The Tabernacle is the Church:
  • The Church serves as the dwelling place of God’s Spirit (Ephesians 2:22), acting as the central place of guidance and authority for missions.
  • Corporate Devotion (deep, consistent community worship and prayer) must precede any successful outreach, just as the Tabernacle guided Israel’s military campaigns.
• Obedience is the Strategy:
  • The Great Commission is the explicit command: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19, ESV).
  • Just as Abraham and Moses followed detailed, sometimes difficult, instructions, modern efforts require faithful, specific obedience to the guidance of the Holy Spirit rather than solely relying on human strategy or resources.

In summary: Just as God granted Israel territorial success on the foundation of altars of consecration and the presence of the Tabernacle, modern efforts to reach the nations will be successful only when led by radical obedience and a deep, prioritizing devotion to the manifested presence of God.

By James Ekor-Tah