Joshua 13:13Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day. :14 Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as he said unto them.
We have come now to the details of their inheritance and if you remember the map from a few days ago there were only 11 divisions made for the 12 tribes of Israel. Levi didn't receive a earthly inheritance but rather a heavenly inheritance. Now before we deal with their inheritance let us make a contrast between verse 13 and 14. If you've studied numbers in the bible you will know that the number 13 is often associated with rebellion. Our verse 13:13 deals with Israel's direct rebellion of God's commandment to purge Canaan land of all inhabitants. Then it says that the Isaeliltes dwelt with those enemies until this day and we find that the these inhabitants aren't dealt with until 1 Samuel 27 by King David. So for generation after generation Israel lived among their enemies until King David came and did what God had commanded all along. This goes to show that our actions don't only affect us or our generation but have the potential to affects generations to come. Now they didn't completely do away with the enemy so they weren't going to have complete peace. I'm afraid so many Christians today are living like this. They've shunned the hard sayings of God and left his commandments undone, so they're "Canaan" isn't half as enjoyable than if they would simple live by God's commands. We shouldn't be hearers only but doers and Jesus said if you love me do my commandments.
John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
So because of their rebellion against the orders of God they lived among the adversary but look now to the Tribe of Levi and we see again they are reaping results of past decisions made. Notice the stand they made when Moses drew the line in the sand after Israel's sin with the golden calf.
Exodus 32:26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
Because the tribe of Levi sided with God and Moses they were brought before Aaron and received the priesthood of Aaron. Their fathers had made a right decision and they were benefiting from it still. You say what benefit did they have? They didn't receive any land. No they didn't receive any land but they did receive all the first fruits of all the other tribes of Israel and that is just the earthly side of their blessing. See they couldn't tell you about building a house but they could tell you about building the House of God. They wouldn't be the first one you would talk to about your money problems but they would be the first one considered when it came to your sin problem. They didn't have land or herds but they did have something far greater. They ministered unto the Lord day in and day out. They knew the tabernacle and its functions, they were often in the work of the Lord. Dear reader, you may feel as if you haven't received much in earthly terms you may not have the nicest house or car or things but if you are saved then friend the biggest part of our inheritance isn't earthly but heavenly. You ,like the tribe of Levi, may not have land or cattle to point to but your inheritance is a heavenly one. If you walk with him and talk with him and you know what it is to have the joy of the Lord then friend we have far surpassed or brothers who have material blessings to point to but no heavenly blessings. I consider Levi to have received the greatest inheritance of all, to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. I also consider the Christian who has forsaken all to follow Christ the richest of all Christians, sure their material blessings and means may not be many but what they lack here will be made up for in the hereafter. See, Israel as a whole was living among the adversary but the Tribe of Levi was living among The Almighty.
What inheritance are you living for the generations to come? Will your children live among the adversary? Or, will they live Among The Almighty?
Lay up for yourselves treasure in Heaven!!
Onward Christian Soldier!!