Last week, in The Division of the Land, Part B, we learned that we need to be thankful for what God’s blessings and stop looking around for something better. We need to claim what God has promised us as our own, and take it in His power, rather than looking around for something easier, and we need to remember to give God the credit, no matter what! Because otherwise, just like the tribe of Dan, we could easily fall away from God!
There is one last lesson we can learn from the division of the Land, and this lesson comes from the allotment of the tribe of Levi.
Isn’t it tempting to look at others who have more than we do and wish for what they have? The Bible tells us not to covet, but it’s so easy to do. After all, some have houses, good jobs, a steady income, loving families, while others live on the streets!
This is no difference within the body of Christ. Some are rich, some barely get by. Some live in big, fancy houses, others in subsidized housing, or worse. Some never want for something to eat, while others only feed their kids by donations of kind-hearted people, or by visiting the local food banks or soup kitchens. The children of some get expensive presents for Christmas and birthdays, the children of others get hand-me-down clothing or homemade or repaired toys.
The truth of the matter is, even within the body of Christ, some people have received a better lot in life than others!
Where is the fairness in this?
The tribe of Levi must have felt this keenly. They weren’t given an inheritance in Canaan like the other tribes. In fact, their allotment was only 48 cities, spread out throughout the land. They were given a little pasture land around each city, but they weren’t given fields, which, for the people of the day, translated into livelihoods.
I’m not making this up, folks! This is clearly spelled out in the Bible: “The priests, who are Levites – indeed the whole tribe of Levi – are to have no allotment or inheritance with Israel … They shall have no inheritance among their brothers …” (Deut 18:1-2 NIV)
But did the Levites feel left out?
No. In fact, they felt honoured, for the above verse goes on to say, “They shall have no inheritance among their brothers; the Lord is their inheritance, as he promised them.” (Deut 18:2 NIV)
Okay, so they were specially chosen by the Lord, the Lord Himself was to be their inheritance. But they didn’t have land! How were they to live?
Friends, when God tells us He is our inheritance, we can rest assured He will provide for us: “They shall live on the offerings made to the Lord by fire, for that is their inheritance.” (Deut 18:1-2 NIV)
The Levites were put in a position where they did not have to worry about tending their fields or growing their own food because God had something far bigger for them to do! They didn’t have the worries that accompany farmers: drought, locust, etc, because to them was entrusted the care of the tabernacle and the instruction of the people in the ways of the Lord! They were forced to rely upon God for their sustenance, which meant that their faith had the opportunity to grow on a daily basis!
Did they see it as having been given a lesser lot?
No. They saw it as an honour!
It’s true that God doesn’t always give out equal (in the eyes of the world) lots in this life. How will you handle this? Will you go through your life wishing for the lot that someone else has been given? Or will you see your “lesser” lot as a blessing from God? Will you feel cheated by God, or will you feel special?
There is great joy to be had in living from moment to moment, in complete dependence upon the Lord for everything. Those who are placed in this situation, who are developing this complete dependence, should feel blessed indeed. They know that the crashing stock market could easily wipe out all of their neighbour’s wealth, while nothing in the world will ever stop God from providing for them!
So the next time you feel like your lot in life wasn’t quite as good as the next person’s, remember the tribe of Levi. Learn to depend upon the Lord for everything, 100% of the time, and you will find that rather than being the source of material blessing, He is the source of true joy!
Join us next week for LESSONS FROM JOSHUA, Part 18: The Conclusion
In His love,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, Speech-Language Pathologist, mother of two teens, Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, and Scriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems, www.scripturalnuggets.org, with Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org.
(To access the entire “Lessons From Joshua” mini-series, please click here.)