God is not without a purpose in choosing a people as his own and giving them a particular land of inheritance. They are to stand as a witness of his goodness and of his holiness. Should they choose to rebel against that purpose, they cannot expect to be strong nor to abide long upon that land he has given them. “Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many” (Proverbs 4:10).
“He Will Lengthen out Their Days”
The children of Israel under Moses, like the seed of Lehi, witnessed many miracles in their behalf. God declared: “Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it; and that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey” (Deuteronomy 11:8-9). As obedience and possession go hand in hand, so the proverb declares: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.” (Proverbs 9:10-11.)