[A Meditation on One Verse]

(Joshua 13:33) “But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance; the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he promised them.”

While all the other tribes received portions of the land of Canaan as their inheritance, the tribe of Levi uniquely received no land. The Bible explains the reason is that “the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance.” What a beautiful and glorious declaration this is.

But was this truly the sentiment in the hearts of the Levites? Being people of the same nature as us, might they not have envied their brothers’ abundant lands or felt insecure about their own situation? They probably did.

It was in the midst of that internal conflict that they would have learned, with their whole beings, what it means for ‘God to be their inheritance’—not just intellectually, but practically.

However, this lesson was not for the Levites alone. It was the same for the other tribes who possessed land. As they farmed the ‘rain-fed paddies’ that could yield nothing without the early and latter rains, they had to confess daily who the true owner of their land was, and from where its produce came. In the end, they too were like the Levites, who could only look to heaven.

This is the identity of Israel, and it is our identity today. The Apostle Peter proclaims to all believers in the New Testament:

”But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…” (1 Peter 2:9)

That’s right. Our true inheritance is not our visible possessions, but God Himself, who chose us and made us priests.

This morning, I pray with this faith:

“God, I desire that the ‘today’ I face may be a walk where I embrace You alone as my only inheritance. Thus, may it be a blessed day in which Your word is fulfilled in my life.”
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(Daily Reading)

Joshua 13:24-14:5