In the Genesis narrative, the Holy Land, (Jeru)Salem was a town inhabited by the righteous from its earliest days, as Melchizedek was the "priest of Salem," of the "Most High True God," which would later be called Jerusalem. This means the conquest of Joshua, David, etc. against the Canaanites and Jebusites was a re-conquest of the land, not a theft, since the pagans had at some point conquered the righteous.
Psalm 76:2 identifies it as "Salem," too: "In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel. 2 In Salem also is His tabernacle, And His dwelling place in Zion." "18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him of tithe of all." -Gen. 14
In Hebrews 7, the eternal priesthood of the Messiah is typified by the historical personage of Melchizedek, mirroring several elements of Christ’s life. In the argumentation of Hebrews, the priesthood of Melchizedek is superior to the Aaronic, even though both refer to Christ as their telos. The Melchizedekian, however, is superior, as it is older and was given deference by the Aaronic:
“For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.'“
Note that he was made like the Son of God, not that he was the Son, as many mistakenly think this was a theophany. The fascinating element here is that the land in question was always the rightful possession of the righteous, and ultimately of the Messiah.
This is very compelling. The narrative of the atheist, "The land was stolen and the Isrealites raped and murdered the inhabitants." I still believe violence was the only way to remove the inhabitants. Does one negotiate and or compromise with the Talliban?
Thanks Jay for the education