The Lord is My Inheritance

This word did not make much meaning to me in the past, as I wondered how on earth can G-d be the "inheritance" or "real-estate" of any man. But as I read through scriptures, it began to make sense. Let us first look at the fist place where such word was used.

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

{Genesis 15:1 (KJV)}

The keyword I like you to see here is "reward". It is like saying, I am your "benefit, profit, remuneration, real-estate, and the like". So how did Abraham comprehend such an expression from YHWH? 

According to Google, the word "inheritance" means "a thing that is inherited." And some synonyms include:    legacy, bequest, endowment, birthright, estate, heritage, bestowal, bequeathal, benefaction, provision, patrimony;...

Understanding the significance of this word will change a man's life forever. 

If you are a student of the bible or scripture, and you know about the dividing of the land of Israel among the 12 tribes, then you would have discovered that one of the tribes of Israel was "cheated"(please notice my parenthesis on the word cheated) of being assigned any inheritance in Israel. That tribe is the tribe of LEVI.

Now, see what the LORD said concerning "inheritance" when it came to LEVI's turn

Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the Lord is his inheritance, according as the Lord thy God promised him.

{Deuteronomy 10:9 (KJV}

'Why was this so?'I had thought. If I was the one, I could be very angry. Why am I not getting any "inheritance" while my siblings are receiving "real-estate"? 'What kind of wickedness is this!'

I later understood the reason. LEVI was appointed the Priesthood and by reason of his special assignment, there would be no need for him to have an inheritance, seeing he will be the "unification" ALL the 12 tribes of Israel. He will bear the ephod on his chest before G-d on behalf of ALL his brethren. Hence, he is the UNIFICATION of the 12 tribes. He is HOLY and SANCTIFIED before G-d. 

See the diagram below

But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance: the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them.{Joshua 13:33 (KJV)}

And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession.{Ezekiel 44:28 (KJV)}

When the time came for the 12 tribes to be assigned their possession, Joshua "divided" the Land to them from a place called Shiloh. He stuck to the instruction and allocation formula prescribed by Moses.

LEVI GOT A BETTER INHERITANCE

And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions.{Joshua 18:10 (KJV)}

Now , the next thing we are going to do will be to do a "real-estate valuation" of the portions or "divisions" of each tribe and you will find that LEVI got the BETTER part of the entire inheritance.

Read the Book of Joshua from Chapter 12

 

 Tribe of Reuben

From Joshua 13: 15 - 23

Let's count the coasts, cities, suburbs and villages given.

I counted fourteen.

 Tribe of Gad

From Joshua 13: 24 - 28

I counted twelve and half. 

Half Tribe of Manasseh

Fro Joshua 13: 29 - 31

I counted twenty-three and half. 

Tribe of Levi 

From 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." {Joshua 13: 33}

Tribe of Judah

From Joshua 14 - 15: 6 - 20

Judah received the choicest part of the inheritance, with Jerusalem embedded in his inheritance. Later, we will discuss why this had to be so, based on Jacob's decree in Genesis 49.

Judah shared coasts with Edom. 

....Continue counting until you get to Joshua Chapter 20 and there you will also see Cities of Refuge or "Sanctuary Cities" as it is called in today's language. 

 Now, we get to Joshua Chapter 21 and this is the area of interest.

Principle =  "Tithing"

And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, The Lord commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle.{Joshua 21:2}

So ALL the 11 Tribes, gave LEVI each "tithe" of cities to dwell in and for their cattle - cities, suburbs and villages inclusive.

When you ADD UP all those cities, suburbs and villages that was given to LEVI's children, then you will understand that LEVI received the LARGER portion of the INHERITANCE.

Hence, whenever you hear that word "The Lord is My Inheritance" you must understand that it implies that I have the GREATER PORTION.

Look again at the hexagon in the above figure and notice the LOT of LEVI - the INNER hexagon. It is LARGER THAN all those tribes and it had to be so, seeing that it is LEVI who makes INTERCESSION on behalf of ALL the tribes before YHWH.

This is the Wisdom of G-d. 

As a Christian, you should give your tithes, offerings, etc donations to the "Priest" without grumbling.

Now, notice in  Joshua 21: 43- 45  what followed when ALL those tribes obeyed and did as commanded by G-d for the Priesthood("Ecclesiastes"). He is the Preacher, the Teacher and the Gatherer. 

They received REST(Shabbat) from G-d, and He fulfilled all His promises to them.

43. And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.

44. And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand.

45.There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

PRINCIPLES = "UNIFICATION", "TITHING","PRIESTHOOD", "ECCLESIASTES","OFFERING", "SHARING"

Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Galatians 6:6 (KJV)

Lesson

When you share your "possession" with the "priest", then you are unified in the blessing of the body of Christ. It is ONE body, not multiple. He(Christ) is our High Priest(the Unification), according to a Priesthood founded on everlasting life - the Order of Melchizedek.