By Nick Dalgety
Karamea and early settlement:
I draw on a recent trip to see a good friend in Karamea, a small town tucked away in the upper reaches of the South Island’s West Coast.
I stayed at my friend’s old family home on the south side of the Karamea River; now called Arapito (“end of the path”) yet originally named The Promised Land! The northern side of the river was called The Land of Promise.
European settlers first arrived in Karamea in November 1874 under a government-funded “Special Settlement” scheme. Today, the area remains a quiet rural location known for dairying and as a gateway to the Kahurangi National Park.
Lets consider the promised land brought to life in the Bible narrative?
A Promised Land of Old
Let’s turn our attention to Abram, commanded by the Lord to come out from the pagan city of Ur in the land of Chaldea. We pick up on the narrative in the 12th chapter of Genesis.
God promises to make Abram a great nation, make his name great and be a blessing to all families of the earth. There is another promise embedded in God’s declaration to Abram… He says He will bring Abram… TO A LAND I WILL SHOW YOU.
This is the Land of Promise or The Promised Land! The biblical account expands on the Land’s boundaries In latter verses within the book of Genesis. God made this Land covenant with Abraham (Abram), then to his son Isaac, and then to his son Jacob (Israel). And God does not break His covenants!
Sadly due to serious disobedience, God expelled the Israelites from The Land twice – after the destruction of the first Temple in 585 BC then after the destruction of the second Temple in 70 AD.
Now in 2026 the Israelites are miraculously back in The Land!
An Eternal Promised Land
We know from Old Testament prophecy and the words of Messiah Yeshua that a time of great trial and tribulation lies ahead for Israel.
Yet beyond that, a remnant of Israel will come to believe in Messiah. They, along with the faithful Church. Both will come to experience a new heaven and a new earth – a promised land that will last for eternity!
No more death, sorrow, crying or pain for the former things will have passed away.
About the Author
Nick Dalgety is a Kiwi born in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. In recent times my wife and I have made Nelson in the top of the South Island home.
My day job involves working with people making a living from land and sea. In my spare time my passion is taking pictures that celebrate what is iconic about Aotearoa New Zealand. Inevitably this involves discovering amazing people, in their special place making and doing what they do best.
When travelling overseas, I often seek out similar experiences. I created Provenance101 to share these experiences.
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