Living as Sojourners in a Fallen World
The concept of living as sojourners in a fallen world is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize the transient nature of human life on earth. In 1 Chronicles 29:15, David acknowledges to God, "For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding" [1]. This verse encapsulates the idea that humans are not permanent residents on earth but rather temporary dwellers, with their true citizenship elsewhere.
The biblical notion of being "strangers" or "sojourners" (Hebrew: gerim) signifies individuals who reside in a place not their own, often implying a lack of full rights or permanent status [3]. In the context of 1 Chronicles 29:15, it underscores the understanding that the Israelites, despite being in possession of Canaan, did not own the land outright but were tenants under God's sovereignty, as indicated by Leviticus 25:23 [4, 7].
This perspective is echoed in the New Testament, where the writer of Hebrews describes the patriarchs as having "sojourned" in the land of promise "as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles" (Hebrews 11:9) [5]. The use of "tabernacles" or tents signifies a temporary and nomadic existence, contrasting with the fixed and permanent city that is their heavenly goal.
The theme of living as sojourners is not limited to the historical context of ancient Israel but is applied to the Christian life. According to 1 Peter 1:17, Christians are to live as "temporary residents" who are uncomfortable with the world's values and long for their true home in heaven [8]. This eschatological perspective shapes the Christian's identity and informs their relationship with the world.
Various Christian traditions have interpreted this concept in their understanding of the Christian life. For instance, Adam Clarke notes that being strangers and sojourners means having "neither right nor property" in this world and being supported by God's bounty [2]. Similarly, John Gill emphasizes that recognizing their status as sojourners should set Christians "loose to worldly things, and the more easily to part with them for the service of God, and the honour of his name" [4].
The understanding of Christians as sojourners has implications for their engagement with the world. It encourages a detachment from worldly possessions and a focus on heavenly things. As Jamieson, Fausset & Brown observe, this mindset is characteristic of those who "sit loose to what they have" and look forward to a better country, that is, a heavenly one (Hebrews 11:13-16) [6].
Sources
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Chronicles 29:15 — For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.”
- 1 Chronicles (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Chronicles 29:15: For we are strangers - We have here neither right nor property. And sojourners - Lodging as it were for a night, in the mansion of another. As were all our fathers - These were, as we are supported by thy bounty, and tenants at will to thee. Our days on the earth are as a shadow - They are continually declining, fading, and passing away. This is the place of our sojourning, and here we have no substantial, permanent residence. There is none abiding - However we may wish to settle and remain in this state of things, it is impossible, because every earthly form”
- Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 28:43: 28:43 foreigners (literally sojourners): In God’s day of judgment, those regarded as the weakest and most vulnerable elements of Israelite society (see 29:11) would dominate.”
- 1 Chronicles (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Chronicles 29:14: For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers,.... For though they were in possession of the land of Canaan, yet they held it not in their own right, but as the Lord's: who said, the land is mine, Lev 25:23, they were but tenants in it, and were not to abide long here; they belonged to another city and country; the consideration of which might tend to set them loose to worldly things, and the more easily to part with them for the service of God, and the honour of his name: our days on the earth are as a shadow; man's life is expr”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 11:9: sojourned--as a "stranger and pilgrim." in--Greek, "into," that is, he went into it and sojourned there. as in a strange country--a country not belonging to him, but to others (so the Greek), Act 7:5-6. dwelling in tabernacles--tents: as strangers and sojourners do: moving from place to place, as having no fixed possession of their own. In contrast to the abiding "city" (Heb 11:10). with--Their kind of dwelling being the same is a proof that their faith was the same. They all alike were content to wait for their good things hereafter (Luk 16:2”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 35:7: tents-- (Jdg 4:17). live many days--according to the promise connected with the fifth commandment (Exo 20:12; Eph 6:2-3). strangers--They were not of the stock of Jacob, but sojourners in Israel. Types of the children of God, pilgrims on earth, looking for heaven as their home: having little to lose, so that losing times cost them little alarm; sitting loose to what they have (Heb 10:34; Heb 11:9-10, Heb 11:13-16).”
- 1 Chronicles (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on 1 Chronicles 29:14: For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers,.... For though they were in possession of the land of Canaan, yet they held it not in their own right, but as the Lord's: who said, the land is mine, Lev 25:23, they were but tenants in it, and were not to abide long here; they belonged to another city and country; the consideration of which might tend to set them loose to worldly things, and the more easily to part with them for the service of God, and the honour of his name: our days on the earth are as a shadow; man's life ”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 1:17: 1:17 Christians’ citizenship is in heaven (1:1; see Phil 3:20); they live in this world as “temporary residents” who are uncomfortable with its values and who long for their true home.”