Joshua 21 Cities and Pasturelands Allotted to Levi

The Levites are descendants of Levi, son of Jacob. Levi had three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Each one of them formed a clan with responsibilities related to worship. They were considered assistants to the priests (sons of Aaron, also descendants of Levi - Aaron is one of the great grandsons of Levi). In some places in the Bible they are also called priests, but to be distinguished from those who officiated. The Kohathites were to bear the sacred furniture of the tabernacle; the Gershonites, its curtains; and the Merarites its boards, pins, and poles. But they could not approach the holy things and act as priests. During the temple days, they were assigned duties of construction, singing, treasury as well as teaching and judging. They were also in charge of maintaining the cities of refuge.

God wanted to ensure that the promised land would have people serving the community in the area of worship. The amount of people involved in worship is impressive. They were scattered throughout the land making the priesthood and its services pervasive in the land. Interestingly enough, they were not allowed to have property as an inheritance. The property they managed belonged to other tribes, including the cities of refuge. The reason for a lack of inheritance is that God is to be their inheritance. Also, they were to live off the tithes and offerings of the people. Their appointment was from birth and they performed their priestly duties until death.

The establishment of God's kingdom upon the earth is about worship to our King. Today, we gather together as the priesthood of all believers to minister to our God and to one another in worship. One day, the whole earth will worship our King as the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. From the beginnings of Christianity, we see a persecuted Church struggling to survive. But believers came together and shared their resources to ensure its survival. When Christ returns, we will no longer have to struggle for survival on earth because we will reign with him.

I am in awe of the dedication of the Levites. Their whole life was about God's kingdom. My life should be dedicated to the Lord just like that. I am also impressed with the system God instituted to take care of them. I can't understand why people have a hard time tithing and offering to keep ministry going upon the earth. Not only do people struggle to tithe, but many people don't bring the whole tithe to their place of ministry. They decide to spread their tithe among different organizations. No wonder it is so hard to keep the finances of the church at a healthy level to just maintain a building. I must say that today, most churches don't offer retirement benefits and once a minister cannot pastor anymore, he is out on the street with no property and no income. A far cry from the Levitical priesthood.

Father, may I serve you wholeheartedly with dedication and commitment. May I learn to give to sustain your work upon the earth. May I worship you in spirit and truth and promote your glory upon the whole earth. Amen.

Joshua 13 Inheritance East of the Jordan

The book of Joshua makes a turn from Conquest to Allotment. Joshua was advanced in years and it was time to retire him from military duty. The allotment highlights three very important changes in the life of Israel. Firstly, Israel is finally to enjoy God's promise of rest. Secondly, Israel is not to depend on Joshua anymore to drive the enemies out of the land. Each tribe is to take responsibility for their own territory. Thirdly, the inheritance of the Levites is not land, but God himself.

The promises of God have come to be realized in the life of Israel. The promises given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have finally materialized. The people God called out of slavery have become masters of a fruitful and prosperous land. Israel can now enjoy God's promised rest. Like Israel, I enjoy the fulfillment of God's promises in Christ. Every possible blessing is mine in him. The rest my soul needed, is finally mine thanks to the conquests of my Lord. Also, I look forward to the ultimate fulfillment of his promise of establishing his kingdom upon the earth. One day, I will participate in the allotment of the whole earth for God's people.

Israel's dependence on Joshua must come to and end. The work must continue under the direction and guidance of the leaders of each tribe. Israel needed to understand that the establishment of God's kingdom upon the earth is not dependent on human leaders, but on God using a multitude of leaders throughout their history. This is a valuable lesson for me. I am not indispensable in the kingdom of God. God's work will continue with or without me. I must never place a leader on a pedestal because my God is the one who works for me. There will always be a team of leaders to work on the establishment of God's kingdom upon the earth.

The Levite's inheritance is not a piece of land, but God himself. Their story is the story of redemption. Levi had been cursed by Jacob because of murder. But God, by grace, forgave past sins and called his descendants to serve him. They were to be provided by the other tribes. Their rest is not dependent on a piece of land, but on their relationship with God. This is the true rest that God promises every Christian. The Levites foreshadow the promises for me. I am part of a royal priesthood. My rest is in God!

Dear God, fill my heart with hope. May your promises continue to be fulfilled in my life. May I look forward to those promises that are yet to be fulfilled. Help me keep my eyes on you and depend on you all of my days.