Joshua 13:33 "But unto the tribe of Levi
Moses gave not any inheritance: the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance,
as he said unto them."
Chapters 12 and 13 show the dividing of the land among the people of Israel. Two and a half tribes wanted to live on the east side of the Jordan River. Joshua divided the land of Canaan unto the other nine and a half tribes. Every tribe received land except for the tribe of Levi. Levi received no inheritance in the land of Canaan; rather, was given the responsibility of tending to the service of the Lord. The tribe of Levi was sustained by the other eleven tribes giving their tithes. They were constantly to be about the Lord's business and making sure all the vessels of the tabernacle (and later the temple) were fit for use.
As I read each passage of Scripture that spoke of the inheritance given to each of the other tribes, I came to this verse and it grabbed my attention. It first grabbed my attention because the Levites did not receive any land. My first thought concerning this was, "Why were they not given an inheritance?" Then I realized they were indeed given an inheritance. Their inheritance was far more valuable than any earthly inheritance. Their inheritance was the Lord Himself.
Then I began to think about the manner in which this verse applies to us. There is a part of each of us that can only be fulfilled by the Lord, Himself. There is a part of us that was created to serve the Lord and honor Him with our substance. That part of us can only be filled by God. I keep repeating that thought because we sometimes try to fill that place inside of us with things that are temporary, things of the world. When we try to fill that place with worldly things, we are still left with an empty place. Then we try to fill it more and more, but the reality is only God can fill that place in our hearts. Our true inheritance is not of this world.
Peter stated it in this manner, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (5) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5) Only the Lord Jesus Christ can fill the void because our true inheritance is not of this world. The Lord assures us that our inheritance is reserved for us in heaven, itself. That longing inside of us will only be completely filled when we enter into heaven's glory. Let us not get sidetracked by things of this world that are not lasting.
Chapters 12 and 13 show the dividing of the land among the people of Israel. Two and a half tribes wanted to live on the east side of the Jordan River. Joshua divided the land of Canaan unto the other nine and a half tribes. Every tribe received land except for the tribe of Levi. Levi received no inheritance in the land of Canaan; rather, was given the responsibility of tending to the service of the Lord. The tribe of Levi was sustained by the other eleven tribes giving their tithes. They were constantly to be about the Lord's business and making sure all the vessels of the tabernacle (and later the temple) were fit for use.
As I read each passage of Scripture that spoke of the inheritance given to each of the other tribes, I came to this verse and it grabbed my attention. It first grabbed my attention because the Levites did not receive any land. My first thought concerning this was, "Why were they not given an inheritance?" Then I realized they were indeed given an inheritance. Their inheritance was far more valuable than any earthly inheritance. Their inheritance was the Lord Himself.
Then I began to think about the manner in which this verse applies to us. There is a part of each of us that can only be fulfilled by the Lord, Himself. There is a part of us that was created to serve the Lord and honor Him with our substance. That part of us can only be filled by God. I keep repeating that thought because we sometimes try to fill that place inside of us with things that are temporary, things of the world. When we try to fill that place with worldly things, we are still left with an empty place. Then we try to fill it more and more, but the reality is only God can fill that place in our hearts. Our true inheritance is not of this world.
Peter stated it in this manner, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (5) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5) Only the Lord Jesus Christ can fill the void because our true inheritance is not of this world. The Lord assures us that our inheritance is reserved for us in heaven, itself. That longing inside of us will only be completely filled when we enter into heaven's glory. Let us not get sidetracked by things of this world that are not lasting.