Joshua 13:14
“To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The food offerings to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, just as He had promised them.
This wasn’t new. Moses had laid this out in Deuteronomy 18:1,2 “The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance. Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.”
What a cool concept, God is their inheritance. A portion of the offerings were their food and sustenance.
Jacob prophesied about Levi on his deathbed in Genesis 49:7, “Cursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.” This predicted that they wouldn’t live in one region, but all throughout Israel. They lived in towns all over. Some were cities of refuge, some weren’t. They would teach the people the ways of the Lord. The idea is that any Israelite wouldn’t be far from a priestly town. I’m not sure if it worked this way, but I image some priests would be on a circuit and visit the towns.
I’ve read that all priests are levites, but not all levites are priests. Some may have had talents that were more “fix it” types. Like the body of Christ there are many members with different gifts. Some were craftsmen, others were carpenters and so on.
The New Testament refers to us being God’s inheritance. Ephesians 1:11 says, “In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will”. That’s what happens when we come to Christ, He redeems us.
I Corinthians 6:19,20 says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” This may have concerned me as a young christian. However, I’ve learned that His will is better for me than my own. His way is freedom and joy.
Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”. God seeks to sanctify us. This is the process of removing our sin and bad attitudes. These are great things to be rid of. At the time we struggle with letting them go. When they are gone we are so much happier.
This is the way it was meant to be. However, each of us must choose to submit to God’s lordship. Romans 10:9 says, ‘that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.’ I had limited understanding of this as a young believer. We have to be willing to let Jesus be lord. We might not understand the extent of this, but somehow God knows. I didn’t understand this when I went forward at an altar call. I just knew I wanted to be on God’s side. He sorted it out.
The submission to lordship was bit by bit. I felt guilty for listening to this one cassette tape. I didn’t obey for about a week. I was driving up to Santa Cruz to see my sister and got lost. I was getting desperate, but couldn’t feel like I could pray because I was in disobedience for not giving it up. I tossed the tape out the window and prayed. Shortly there after I found my way. That was my first painful test of submission to lordship. It’s still not fun, but far easier to let go.
Life in Christ is amazing. We are blessed to be His inheritance. Thank You, Lord.