Larry,
The only verse about the land is about Abraham's seed, which in Genesis 17 is specifically defined as the seed of his own body, not Eleazar which would have been not of his body. So the passage you cite actually says that Abraham's seed with respect to the land promise is his genetic seed.
Let's see what Genesis chapter 17 saying.
Gen. 17:2 - "And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will muitiply thee exceedingly."
Befofe God called Abraham, he was not a Jew, he was a man like us as Gentile. When God called him, God doesn't say to him that he is Jew. Till he was called to leave land of Ur. When he obeyed God's call. He was not the same person who refuse to worship idols, and not compromising with the world. When people see Abraham act differently like as he was act truly Christian way, I believe they did called him 'Hebrew'- Gen. 14:13. That why, 'Hebrew' is common word for Jew.
Anyway, Gen. 17:2 tells us God made covenat with Abraham that he will get great blessing from God. Because Abraham did obeyed God's call.
Gen. 17:4 - "As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee,
and thou shalt be a father of MANY NATIONS."
God didn't say to him that he is the father of Jews. God told him that he is the father of 'many nations'. Therefore, he is the father of the Jews & Gentiles. This is speaking of spiritual seed.
Gen. 17:5-7 "Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings, shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for any everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God."
This passage tells us, God made promise to Abraham, that his name was changed from Abram to Abraham. This is the picute of new life like as we were born again as "new creature" like as salvation. His seed is speaking of his generations(physical) shall be begat throughout generations toward Jesus Christ. This is the picture of salvation. This passage didn't saying that he is the father of Jews only, God told him, he is the father of 'many nations', well it speak of Gentiles.
God did told him that his generations shall possess the land of Canaan. And it did fulfilled during Joshua's time.
Also, this is not only speak of future unfulfilling promise of Jews will finally possess their own land again(literal physical). But it speaking of the promise is come upon Jesus Christ - salvation.
Galatinas 3:7-9 "Know ye therefore that they which are of
faith, he same are the chiildren of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through
faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall ALL NATIONS be blessed. So then they which be of
faith are blessed with faithful Abraham."
The importantly is, why does Abraham got the blessing? Why does Jews of O.T. got their blessing? Because of their faith according Hebrews chapter 11. If without have faith, then they would not receive blessing from God.
Abraham did obeyed God throughout all his life till death as he did walked in his faith. That why he was counted as righteous. Also, many fathers of Abraham's seeds were did walk in their faith. They did received blessiong. Also, the descendant from Abraham through Marythat they did kept God's Word in their faith. Mary did finally begat Jesus by the Holy Spirit came into her womb, as it fulfilled God's covenant with Abraham.
Galatians 3:14 "That the blessing of Abraham might come on GENTILES THROUGH Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through
faith."
This is speaking of salvation in Jesus Christ by through our faith.
Apostle Paul was not suggest or say anything that Jews will finally possess their own actual land again in the future. Rather, he was speaking of salvation through Jesus Christ.
***Galatians 3:16 "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promise made. He saith not, And to seeds as of many, but as of one,
And to thy seed, WHICH IS CHRIS."
The issue of seed is not about physical possess Jewish land, the issue of seed is all about Jesus Christ - salvation.
Galatians 3:26 "For ye are ALL the children of God by
faith in Christ Jesus."
This verse points that we are all children of God by through our
faith in Jesus Christ - salvation.
Galatians 3:28 "There is
neither Jew
nor Greek, there
neither bond
nor free, there is
neither male
nor female:
for ye are ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS."
This verse prove us that God only have one family whoever believe in Jesus, we are on the same boat - salvation. Therefore, Church is Israel, Israel is Church. No divisions within the body of Jesus Christ.
In Christ
Rev. 22:20 -Amen!