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LAND OF CANAAN
WITH INTRODUCTION TO SHEMOLOGY
by Eighth
Day Assembly
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(If you already know what Shemology is, and would like to
"Jump" directly to the Land of Canaan article,
please click here........Land of
Canaan .)
INTRODUCTION:
What is Shemology? Shemology
is a word first used by Rev. Barbara DiGilio, of Mayim Hayim Ministries.
The word "Shem" is the Hebrew word for -- Name -- and "ology" is a suffix, which means a science
or branch of learning. The root word, "-logy," comes from the Greek word -- Logos -- which means an oral
or written expression, doctrine, theory or science of a certain thing. In this respect, Shemology is the in-depth
study of Biblical names based upon their root meanings.
Every Proper name in the Bible is filled with fantastic meaning and revelation. They are not there
by accident, nor are they put there in long lists just to bore us. If one desires to look deeper into their meanings,
one will discover a fantastic journey into the very depths of both the human soul and the very heart of God.
What is in a name?
A name reveals the "meaning" of a thing. And meaning is identity or reality. Whatever the
"meaning" of the name, is what it IS! Likewise with the Proper names in scripture. God has revealed the
innermost workings of both the carnal and the spiritual man through the meanings of the Proper names in scripture.
A closer look at these seemingly long lists of names and places will reveal a marvelous pattern or design by God.
In the meanings of those names and places He has revealed man at both his best and his worst.
He knows us inside and out. Absolutely nothing is a surprise to Him. It also reveals that God is very
much in control -- even of evil man. He even caused evil man to "name" their children and places as such
in order to reveal to us the innermost workings of the carnal mind. And He caused the righteous to name their children
and places as such in order to reveal to us the innermost workings of the spiritual mind.
In some cases of outright reconciliation, God gave certain persons a "new" name, thereby
changing their identity and as a result, their reality!
The power to name is a God-given gift that was given to man in
Genesis 2:19
19) And out of the ground the Lord God formed
every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them;
and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof."
As it states in the above scripture, the gift of naming is also a TEST! It is God who forms, but it
is man who names. Through our power of naming (giving meaning to), God can tell whether or not we are spiritually
mature according to the meaning we give to things (even interpretation of scripture!). Therefore, we must be careful
as to what meaning we place on things. It is a power greater than one might expect. And for an even deeper thought
to study or discuss on your own, explore the deeper "meaning" of what it means to ask or pray in the
NAME of Jesus Christ as based upon the information revealed in this study and other studies to follow.
In scripture, God has revealed the realities of both the carnal man and the spiritual man through
the meanings of their Proper names. The following is an article on the Land of Canaan as revealed through the use
of Shemology.
Since we are dealing with the Land of Canaan prior to that same land becoming Israel, the promised
land, what we are dealing with in this article, is a journey into the carnal mind of man...
THE LAND OF CANAAN:
Canaan -- meaning: (materialism, trader, merchant)
The land of Canaan is, in fact, the "land" (reality) of the carnal mind or nature. It is
the nature of the carnal mind to focus on materialism. It is the trader and merchant of all of its "things"
(and the carnal mind incorporates into its reality many, many "things"). It is also the merchant and
trader of all of these "things," which also carries with it an awful lot of baggage. It is the carnal
"self."
(Special Note: there IS a "self" (identity) that is not carnal as revealed in the Greek --
the word for the self is "autos," # 846 in the Greek, Strong's Concordance, whose meaning is "through
the idea of a baffling wind, backward, self, her, him, it, they, things, these things, together, etc..." Its
gematria is 777 -- since the self of man was originally created perfect as revealed in the number 777, it "fell"
or became "backward" into what is the carnal self, which is revealed in the number 666 ! The number 666
is 111 less than 777, and the number 111 is a number for Unity, and Father -- God! Therefore, 666 is, in essence,
"self" without the "unity with God!" Self without God! -- the unregenerate soul of man. And
in another study by Del Washburn on the number 616, it is revealed that the 616 is the lie of all lies -- "man
AS God!" -- the "self" becoming "...like the most High..." .)
Who was/is Canaan? He was a son of Ham, the son of Noah. As it says in the account in Genesis 9, Noah
had 3 sons, Shem, Japheth, and Ham. Noah had become drunk with wine and Shem and Japheth covered their father's
nakedness and refused to look upon it (which is a picture of grace covering sin), but Ham had seen his father's
nakedness (which is a picture of the letter of the law as opposed to grace), and as a result, Noah awoke and spoke
a prophecy to his sons in verse 25 - 27:
Genesis 9:25-27
25) And he said, Cursed be Canaan: a servant
of servants shall he be unto his brethren.
26) And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of
Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant,
27) God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall
dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
We know that descended from Shem came Abraham, Israel and eventually Jesus Christ. Descended from
Ham came Canaan. All of the sons of Canaan were the tribes that inhabited the "promised land" before
Israel crossed-over the river Jordan.
These nations or tribes as listed are, in fact, all the attitudes of the carnal mind that are still
in operation in our own minds even today. They are the nations existing in our own minds who have taken up residence
in our own promised land.
It is these "nations in us" that battle against the spirit as revealed in
Romans 7:23
23) But I see another law in my members, warring
against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
and
Ephesians 6:12
12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places.
And God has revealed them to us in the meanings of the names of the Canaanite tribes. We are to know
our enemy! And from the faith (positive new vision) of Joshua (Jehovah's salvation), God's people crossed-over
the river Jordan into the promised land, and by faith, each one of these tribes or nations were destroyed from
off the land. The "new" name then given unto the Land of Canaan was Israel.
Likewise, the Canaanite tribes existing in our own minds can also, by faith, and by a positive new
vision be destroyed from the face of our own land as well, that the Land of Canaan in us can then be given the
new name, Israel! It says in
Deuteronomy 7:1
1) When the Lord thy God shall bring thee into
the land whiter thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites and the Girgashites,
and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater
and mightier than thou.
In looking at these passages symbolically as our own carnal minds, we, as Christians, when we first
come to Christ are brought into "the land" to possess it. Standing in the way of many are the mighty
nations of the carnal mind. And many find it difficult because of these nations, to have a life changing reality.
For it says above that initially, these nations are greater and mightier than we.
However, Exodus 23:23 is the hope, the new vision we need to offer the new Christian and even many
old Christians:
Exodus 23:23
23) For mine Angel shall go before thee, and
bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the
Jebusites, AND I WILL CUT THEM OFF.
What a wonderful promise for those having problems with their own carnal natures! Since we now understand
that Canaan is our own carnal mind/natures, the following are the descendants of Canaan. These descendants are
all the ATTITUDES of the carnal self. They are the offspring of the carnal mind, and if left unchecked, will spread
abroad into many different mighty nations within us.
Genesis 10: 15 -18
15 And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and
Heth,
16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
17 And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
18 And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread
abroad.
Canaan is a symbol representing our own carnal mind. The
offspring of Canaan are symbols of the "attitudes" that exist in our own carnal natures. Note that there
are 11 offspring of Canaan. In Biblical gematria, the number 11 is associated with judgment and disorder.
However, upon accepting Christ as our savior, it is possible for the Land of Canaan in us to become
the promised land of as revealed in the account of Joshua (meaning of his name is -- Jehovah's salvation) when
he offered the children of Israel a "new vision" to cross over the river Jordan, defeating the tribes
currently inhabiting the Land of Canaan. Which is also a picture of us, after accepting Christ as our savior.
It is Joshua, "Jehovah's salvation" that is responsible for giving us the courage to go
in and possess our promised land. Joshua is also a symbol of Jesus Christ and his salvation. As Joshua offered
the new vision to the people of Israel, likewise salvation in Jesus Christ offers a new hope and vision unto us.
If the people had not believed Joshua, they would not have crossed over. Likewise, if those caught in the wilderness
of this life do not believe in the salvation of Jesus Christ, they too will not cross over into the promised land.
However, once we are crossed over, the Canaanite nations in us are to be subdued and put to tribute.
They address the very heart of the carnal mind and are more subtle than one may suppose. God in His knowledge and
loving kindness has even made a list for us; thereby allowing us in Christ to address these things so that His
promised land might become our own reality in the here and
now.
The following are the offspring of Canaan along with the names of the tribes that descended from them:
1. SIDON (hunting for man, fishing) -- Sidonians
Sidon is the attitude or desire in us that seeks out others who think and act as we do. Doing this
tends to "validate" what we are doing or not doing. It also causes us to feel a sense of security when
we are with other people of the same station or thought.
An example of this attitude in operation is the reason why "gangs" are formed, and ghettos
based upon color, race, nationality, etc. "You become what you associate yourself with," also, safety
in numbers. Individual thought becomes lost into what then becomes group thought.
It is also the attitude and desire for COMPETITION. Many in today's society put a lot of stock into
group sports such as the Olympics, baseball, football, hockey, etc. We even teach our children that competition
is healthy. We grow up believing that we must compete in the workplace and in life for advancement and as a result
of that, it can become ruthless. Our children learn early, especially in school, that they must "fit in"
with all the others -- the way everyone else dresses, talks, behaves, etc.
The recruitment of others is mandatory in order for Sidon to stay alive; hence Sidon finds it necessary
to fish for souls.
The desire to advance in society or to hang out with others who act and think like us or the feeling
that we must "fit in" is not of God. It is Sidon, IN US and is a Canaanite tribe that must be cut off.
Jesus Christ offered us the new vision for this attitude by making us "fishers of men" in
another sense. He says that the first shall be last and the last first. He also tells us to love our enemies, which
is in direct opposition to Sidon.
2. HETH (fearful terror) -- Hittites
This is the attitude in us that is the source of fear. Self fears being hurt. And because self fears
being hurt we erect many, many barriers in our minds to protect ourselves. One of these barriers of protection
is the attitude of the person who is the "bully." A bully is aggressive toward others not because he
is just a bully, but because he is trying to protect himself from being hurt. The biggest bully actually has the
greatest fear.
Other barriers are shyness, coldness, or refusing to confront. All of these attitudes in us are not
of God. It is Heth, in us, the source of fear, and is a Canaanite tribe that must be cut off.
Jesus Christ offered us the new vision for this attitude by giving us the "armour of God."
Instead of erecting barriers of fear to protect us, it says in
Ephesians 6:14-18
14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt
about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15) And your feet shod with the preparation
of the gospel of peace;
16) Above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked,
17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the
sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication
in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
And again, in
Isaiah 60: 18:
18) Violence shall no more be heard in thy
land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.
3. JEBUS (trodden down) -- Jebusite
This is the attitude in us that is the source of depression and feelings of oppression and heaviness.
The Jebusites were the residents of Jerusalem before David (meaning of his name: beloved, loved) conquered that
city and the people who resided there. Likewise, it is LOVE that conquers the feelings of depression, oppression
and heaviness. The city of the Jebusites became Jerusalem (vision of possessed peace).
Jesus Christ offered us the new vision for this attitude by giving us the "love of God."
Love brings peace to the soul and it is this peace that makes what once was depression, oppression and heaviness
the very ground in which God builds His temple IN US!!!
As it says in
Isaiah 61:3:
3) To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,
to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
4. AMORITE (proud mountaineer, boastful)
This is the attitude in us that is the source of pride and accomplishment. The things in us that make
us feel "higher or more special" than others. Even in Christianity today we see this attitude most active
with many who claim special knowledge or revelation. To them, it is important that they are "believed"
for if they are believed, it makes them feel "higher" or more special than others. If they
are not believed, they either get angry or walk away, for not being believed makes them feel "lower and not
so special."
It is also the attitude that one must put another down in order to lift oneself up. There are many
who feel the need to berate someone else in order to make themselves feel more important.
It is also the attitude that one must always be right. Being right makes one feel higher. Being wrong
makes one feel lower.
In fact, it is the very source of the "lack of self esteem." If one has self esteem, they
would not feel the need to be lifted up.
Jesus Christ offered us the new vision for this attitude by giving us the Holy Spirit who breaks forth
in our hearts crying "Abba, Father." The ultimate of self-esteem! It is the knowledge that we are heirs
and joint heirs in Christ.
5. GIRGASHITE (dwellers of the clay)
This is the attitude in us when we feel stuck or hindered in some way, or not being able to move freely.
There are many who feel this way toward a spouse or a marriage or a place they live in or a lifestyle. They feel
the overwhelming need to break out or free. Many teenagers display this attitude toward their parents.
It is an attitude whose source comes from great immaturity and lack of wisdom, thereby causing "war"
in the mind with no peace of mind.
Jesus Christ offered us the new vision for this attitude by giving us wisdom. Wisdom is the "dweller
in the middle, the place of peace"; for it is able to discern both sides from one center. As we raise our
children, let us teach them wisdom so that when they grow up they will understand feelings such as these. Let us
not teach them what is the right thing to do or the wrong thing to do as the world teaches, but rather let us teach
them what is the WISE thing to do. The wise thing to do will always promote peace of mind, not war. As it says
in
James 3:17-18:
17) But the wisdom that is from above is first
pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and
without hypocrisy.
18) And the fruit of righteousness is sown
in peace of them that make peace.
6. HIVITES (openly showing, fake)
This is the attitude in us that feels the need to show off or feel important. The necessity to feel
accepted by others. In so doing, we put on an outward show of who we are in order to gain this acceptance. To one
person we are one thing; to another person we are another thing. Whatever the situation calls for, that is who
we are at that moment. This is an outward show that is a false identity of who we really are.
The source of this attitude comes from a "lack of identity."
There are those so crippled by the Hivites that they feel the need to "find themselves."
And will even leave their family and friends in order to search for who they really are.
The world's answer to the problem of the Hivite is utterly "self oriented." It teaches us
to discover who we really are by giving us permission to seek "self" at any cost. And once that self
is found, to protect it by setting up boundaries called "space," (i.e., this person or thing is not allowed
to invade my "space," we must always protect our own "space").
Jesus Christ offered us a new vision for this attitude by giving us a new name (meaning) in Him. This
new name is a new identity fashioned in the image of Christ. Who are we? We are citizens of heaven, children of
the living God, and Bride of Christ! It is the clothing or "robe of righteousness" given to us by Christ
that we are to openly show unto the world; not some fake image of ourselves based upon the moment.
7. ARKITE (gnawing flight forces, fugitive)
This is the attitude in us that makes us want to flee when we encounter resistance or distress and
wanting to quit when the going gets tough. It is also the need to run here and there seeking satisfaction or "greener
pastures."
Surely there are those who have walked away from what they considered a bad situation rather than
commit themselves to making the situation better.
The source of this attitude comes from lack of commitment and trust.
Jesus Christ offers us a new vision for this attitude by asking us to make commitments, then trust
Him that "all things work together for good for those who love God and those who are the called according
to His purpose."
8. SIN ( thorny bush, miry coldness) -- Sinites
This is the attitude in us of bitterness. It is this bitterness that causes a "sharp" tongue
that says hurtful, hateful things and a cold heart. It is also being hard, brittle, unbending, uncaring and unfeeling.
A person who displays these attitudes suffers from "disappointment" because of lost expectations,
which is in essence, lack of forgiveness.
Jesus Christ offers us a new vision for this attitude by telling us to forgive as we have been forgiven.
We have a tendency sometimes to expect more from others than what they are able to give. This is not their fault,
it is ours. It is important for us when others disappoint us or when we are disappointed in ourselves that we seek
"acceptance" through reconciliation. And forgiveness, IS GRACE. As it says in
Hebrews 12:15:
15) Looking diligently lest any man FAIL OF
THE GRACE OF GOD; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby MANY BE DEFILED;
9. ARVAD ( refuge for fugitives, wander away) -- Arvadite
This is the attitude in us of being too independent thereby retreating from others and isolating ourselves
within ourselves. It is the attitude that refuses to initiate the help of others when needed, saying "I can
do it, I don't need any help, I'll do it myself," etc.
It is wandering away from the fellowship of others. In essence, it is the height of selfishness and
self absorption.
What appears to be independence is actually utter selfishness because it makes the people who offer
help feel that their help is unworthy, thereby removing them from the fellowship of Love.
As an example of how subtle this Arvadite is, on a personal note, one time I was busy preparing a
meal in the kitchen when company was there. The guest asked me if she could help with anything. I told her no,
everything was under control and she did not need to help with anything. She then surprised me by saying, "You
don't want me to help because you want all the credit!" I could not believe what she had just said.
Later, I began thinking about whether or not she may have been right. Did I not initiate her help
because I really wanted the credit for the meal, or was it because I was so set in my own ways of doing things
that her help was not good enough for me because she wouldn't do it how I liked it done?
Then it made me think of other times I've done exactly the same thing. The times when I went ahead
and completed my children's chores because they didn't finish it good enough. I then wondered how my children must
have felt to work hard at finishing their chores then to see their mother come in behind them and redo what they
had just done. It must have been horrible for them.
I also remembered all the times I thought myself to be the martyr for having to do things "all
by myself."
From that moment on, whenever anyone came to my home and asked to help, I let them help. I also became
very aware of coming in behind people and redoing things if it was not done how I liked it done. And also tried
not to criticize when someone was doing a project I didn't think was being done properly.
And, on the other side of the coin, I will never forget how I felt when trying to help someone in
need and upon fulfilling that need, the person I was helping was unhappy with what I had done. When I questioned
why it was she was unhappy, she said to me, "If someone is going to do something FOR me, it should be done
MY WAY." Needless to say after that statement, I never wanted to do anything else for that person ever again.
However, rejecting those feelings, I overlooked the statement, and continued to help the person anyway.
This is all part of the Arvadite, and not of God.
Jesus Christ offers a new vision for this attitude by telling us to love others as we love ourselves
by stepping outside the refuge of self and pride to recognize the needs and feelings of others. This is the true
meaning of fellowship. People love to feel needed and to feel they are doing something of value. The Arvadite in
us diminishes that capacity of Spirit that allows others to "bless us" and causes others to feel that
what they have to offer is of no value.
Let us always be diligent in Christ to allow others to bless us IN THEIR OWN WAY and according to
their own capacity.
10. ZEMARAIM (double woolens or fleece, poor circulation) - Zemarite
This is the attitude in us that covers up an inward lack of warmth. It is masking coldness by pretending
outwardly to be warm and caring when, in fact, we are not. It is doing things out of a sense of duty as opposed
to doing them because we really care.
Most of us have done things out of a sense of duty that we really did not want to do. Doing things
with this attitude has a 2 fold purpose -- 1) it covers up our poor spiritual circulation that is "inward"
by making us feel as though we are warm, and 2) there is another layer that gives an "outward" appearance
to others that we are indeed warm and caring, when, in fact, we are not.
One layer protects the inside and another layer protects us from the cold criticism of others on the
outside.
The poor circulation within us comes from a heart disciplined by the "letter of the law."
It is the law (sense of duty) that demands we perform according to a certain set of rules.
We even teach our children this sense of duty so that when they are adults they will be responsible.
However; that very sense of duty we teach our children to live by is the CAUSE of them having poor circulation!
Then we wonder why it is they are not responsible adults even though they have been taught otherwise.
We might then ask ourselves -- Is it not right that we teach our children a sense of duty and responsibility?
If we do not teach them that, how will they know?
The answer to that question is in Jesus Christ. The new vision he gave us to cut-off this particular
tribe in us is -- GRACE! And grace is the new "covering" we are to live by, not the letter of the law
out of a sense of duty. Instead of "double woolens" to cover us, it is grace that covers us thereby changing
the stony heart causing the poor circulation into a heart of "flesh" that pumps warmth and caring throughout
our being. When this is realized, we will no longer become upset inside because we feel forced to do something
we really do not want to do. The better way is to do it because we really care.
Warmth and caring issues from a fleshy heart of Grace. Doing things out of a sense of duty and doing
things we do not want to do issues from the stony heart of Law.
We should teach our children to perceive the world and themselves with eyes of "Grace" not
with the letter of the Law. It is absolutely amazing how just that subtle shift in perception will save us a great
deal of grief on the inside.
Responsibility need not be taught as the letter of the law. However; responsibility is the natural
progression and offspring of Grace. One comes from the outside, in. The other comes from the inside, out! That
is the difference, but what a difference!
11. HAMATH (enclosed wrath, defenced, walled, anger, heat) -- Hamathite
It is no coincidence that this is the last tribe listed in the Land of Canaan. This is the attitude
in us that results from holding on to the anger built up inside of us from all the previous tribes!
I am sure that most of us have experienced in our lifetime an explosion of anger. We keep all these
negative feelings built up inside of us, then one day, someone may say something or do something quite unrelated,
and BOOM, we explode in this fit of anger that in essence has very little to do with the situation at hand. It
is just that we have kept all these things of all the previous tribes built up inside causing us much distress
within ourselves.
It is this holding on to pent up negative feelings that makes many of us sick on the inside and as
a result find ourselves ineffective witnesses, enclosed in a "body of death." Enclosed in wrath. This
is probably the very essence and cause of many who are emotionally ill.
There is mental illness that is a physical problem and needs to be treated with medication, however,
for most of us, Christian and non-Christian alike, experiencing the promised land in the here and now is very difficult
because of all the hang-ups inside of us due to these 11 tribes existing in the human psyche.
The new vision given to us by Jesus Christ to cut off this attitude in us is our fellowship in Christ
whereby we "confess our sins one to another."
All of the above tribes existing in the Land of Canaan are the sins of selfishness. They are the residents
of the carnal mind. And the enemies we battle with daily. Surely, most people will recognize themselves in all
of these tribes.
The hope of it all is in Jesus Christ; for as Joshua offered the new vision of courage to the people
of Israel to go in and possess the land, so it is in Christ. These tribes in us can indeed be confronted and defeated
with the new vision offered to us in Christ.
It is very hard to deal with all of these inner issues alone. In the world, people pay psychiatrists
more than $100 per hour to rid themselves of all this "enclosed wrath" that cripples them in society.
However; God knows us so very well inside and out. There is absolutely nothing that goes on in our
minds that He is unaware of and that is not common to man.
And because God has in essence made a list of all these things going on inside of us, it is easy to
take them, one at a time, look at them, discuss them with others, and also to discuss the new vision offered in
Christ to rid ourselves of them.
It is better to do it in a group, for then people can share with each other with the realization that
these attitudes and feelings are common to everyone. We are not alone.
It is my suggestion to Pastors and lay people alike who read this text that, if it is possible, a
group be formed for both men and women in your church or home study group. You could call it something like "Abundant
Life" classes or whatever name you choose. In those classes you could take each tribe listed, one at a time,
discuss how it applies to you, then discuss the answer Jesus Christ has given for each of them to be overcome.
It is true that in each tribe, there are many, many more attitudes not listed here. As they are discussed
with others, more are revealed.
These tribes in us were not listed by God just to gloss over, but were written for our instruction
and fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Conquering these tribes in our own personal promised land creates good soil for the good seed to be
planted that is not lost. It is the soil in which a tree is planted in our lives that will bear "much fruit"
unto the living God. Jesus said in
John 10:10
10) The thief cometh not, but for to steal,
and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Let us then move on so that the Land of Canaan in us might become the promised land in us, flowing
with milk and honey!
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