Joel M Bradshaw

 33But to the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance; the LORD God of Israel is their inheritance, just as he said to them.–Joshua 13

I am not a lawyer, so don’t expect this to be fully explained as to nuance. When I think of inheritance, I consider three words.

1. LEGACY. The older generation could have their name and accomplishments live on. They could be remembered and appreciated by those who came after. In the case of Israel, the land would have a spiritual quality, as well. Each new generation could appreciate and respond to God’s blessings to them. The land connected them back to God’s faithfulness. Therefore, they would respond in obedience by sacrifices and first-fruits, etc.
2. HOPE. The younger generation could place their hope in what would be passed down to them. The land, the flocks, the provisions. When the future is full of hope, the present is good.
3. SATISFACTION.The older generation is satisfied that they could leave behind something for their children. It might have felt like a life well-lived. A simple success to have something to continue.

So now ponder for a moment Levi. They were the one tribe set apart specifically for service to God. They were the one tribe that received no tribal land. Their ‘daily bread’ would be supplied by God. The provisions for life centered in God and the ministry. Their whole life was dependent not upon a harvest, the land, or their own hard efforts, but in God and his provision. The were therefore a model of dependance upon God. Their perspective would be that the God that provided would one day still provide. All they could pass down to their children was this dependance, this legacy, this faith.

When your inheritance is God, you are not focused on the provisions, but rather the Provider. The hope is fully centered in him and not the things that come with him. The attitude of satisfaction would be modeled during one’s life (Psalm 23:1 “I shall not want”) and given to one’s children and grandchildren. It would be the greatest possible legacy. God would be what you look forward to!

What an image to ponder as inflation gets worse, as gas prices rise, and as the retirement accounts of some begin to decrease in value. Paul once said (Philippians 1), “to live is Christ!” I think he was building on something here in Joshua 13 with Levi.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. (Psalm 33:12).

The word for ‘inheritance’ is the same Hebrew as our verse today. What an interesting concept to further consider. God would have an inheritance? I like the balance here. A people’s inheritance is God. God’s inheritance is his people. Let Levi’s perspective encourage your own today. See your legacy, hope, and satisfaction centered in God.–JMB