“Did we get short-changed?”

Jan. 8

Read: Skim Joshua 12,13; Focus 13:14,32

“Did we get short-changed?”

“To the tribe of Levi alone Moses gave no inheritance. The offerings by fire to the LORD God of Israel are their inheritance, as he said to him….But to the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance; the LORD God of Israel is their inheritance, just as he said to them.” (v.14,32)

I wonder how the other Israelites felt when God declared that the tribe of Levi would be the tribe of “priests” and that the would have special access to the Lord on behalf of the people? Were the other tribes jealous? Were they relieved? Did any of the other tribes think it was “unfair’ that they got this “special” position?

Now fast forward to today’s passage: I wonder if the priests felt short-changed or frustrated that they had no inheritance in the land while everyone else got a piece? Over and over again in these next chapters, we will read about how each tribe of Israel got its inheritance assigned by Moses through the Lord to them; we will also read again and again how “the tribe of Levi had no inheritance.” The priests received no portion of the land… no place to call their own. No farms with fields to plant. Not only was there no inheritance, but the priests would spend their time serving the Lord by serving the people.

What the Levites did receive as their inheritance was not land but something else: we see here that their inheritance was “The offerings by fire to the LORD God of Israel” as well as “the LORD God of Israel” himself. (v.14,32) How crazy is that?! Instead of land or material goods, the Levites received a relationship with YHWH God himself. They received the ability to sit down to a meal with the Lord, to lead the people in worship with the Lord, and intimate relationship with him while serving him. This was the inheritance of the Levites… no land… just proximity to God and his worship.

In Jesus Christ, we are called his “royal and holy priesthood”. (cf. 1 Peter 2:5-9) As the priests of Jesus, we have no promise or claim to a piece of dirt… no “land” is assigned to us. What we receive is God himself… just like the Levites! What we receive is a relationship with the Lord. What we receive is the opportunity to join in worship and share a meal with the Lord. This is OUR inheritance in Christ… which mirrors in so many ways the inheritance of the Levites. Could we be satisfied with this inheritance? What if what is given to us … our inheritance…in this lifetime is not one necessarily of material land or wealth, but rather primarily an inheritance of relationship with God. Would that… could that… be ENOUGH?  “The Lord God of Israel” is the inheritance of the Levites… and he is OUR inheritance as well. This is the biggest gift we have been given in/through the Son, Jesus. It is a gift that goes with us wherever we go. It is so much greater than any piece of dirt! Worship and relationship is our inheritance. We serve the Lord by serving others in this world. Would you take that deal? Love you guys. - JDP