Churchwork
06-28-2006, 05:51 PM
Inheritance
Let us now turn to the matter of inheritance—again looking into Numbers 18.
(1) The children of Israel have an earthly inheritance (cf. vv.20 and 23).
(2) The Levites have the tithe as their inheritance (vv.21,23). And they must tithe their tithe (vv.26,28).
(3) Aaron has no inheritance because the Lord is his portion (v.20).
We are today on earth as strangers and sojourners. The day is fast approaching when we shall be called to heaven. Why, then, seek for more inheritance on earth to increase our burden? I travel much, and the most distressful task of a traveler is to take care of the luggage. The more luggage the more troublesome the task. So let us, as heavenly pilgrims, carry less baggage. With faces set towards the heavenly Jerusalem, we do not know when we shall be called to lay aside the tent and go.
The Levites have cities to dwell in (Josh. 14.4), wherein they may find much comfort and rest. The priests do not have any such city (read carefully Joshua 21).
Though like the priests the Levites have no inheritance among the children of Israel (vv.20,23,24), they nonetheless have cities which the priests do not have.
Let us live in this world as homeless persons, with not even a place to lay our heads; and yet let us feel at home everywhere. For God is with us, and the Lord himself is our inheritance and our portion. Having Him we are satisfied. Apart from Him we have no desire for any other possession. He is our all. We look to Him alone. We long after Him and after His pleasure. We serve Him and no one else.
Compared with the earthly possessions of the children of Israel, the Levites appear as though having nothing. What they do have comes directly from the Lord.
Each time the children of Israel come to the Lord, they have something to offer. They offer bullocks, sheep, or sometimes gold and silver. They have the appearance of being the most zealous of believers, the most willing to offer. But what they offer is mostly the surplus. Though they seem to have offered much, they have not offered all. (Of course, the people of today who belong to the self-centered class are far worse in this regard than even these Old Testament believers.)
Let us offer till there is nothing more to offer—for this is perfect offering.
Besides their various responsibilities and services, the Levites live a city life marked by social interaction and repose.
But the priests, apart from the tranquil and solitary life they lead in the tent of meeting, have no other life. In that restricted area they seek God’s pleasure, and they are constantly occupied with the Father’s business. They often hear His voice and commune with Him. The world is shut outside, for they live in the presence of God.
Let us take God as our satisfaction, with distraction neither from city life nor inheritance.
Owing to the fact of no inheritance, we are restricted in many things. But for the sake of the Lord we are more than willing to be so.
Let us come forth to teach people on behalf of God. Let us enter in to pray to Him on behalf of men.
Nothing is for our own selves!
Let us now turn to the matter of inheritance—again looking into Numbers 18.
(1) The children of Israel have an earthly inheritance (cf. vv.20 and 23).
(2) The Levites have the tithe as their inheritance (vv.21,23). And they must tithe their tithe (vv.26,28).
(3) Aaron has no inheritance because the Lord is his portion (v.20).
We are today on earth as strangers and sojourners. The day is fast approaching when we shall be called to heaven. Why, then, seek for more inheritance on earth to increase our burden? I travel much, and the most distressful task of a traveler is to take care of the luggage. The more luggage the more troublesome the task. So let us, as heavenly pilgrims, carry less baggage. With faces set towards the heavenly Jerusalem, we do not know when we shall be called to lay aside the tent and go.
The Levites have cities to dwell in (Josh. 14.4), wherein they may find much comfort and rest. The priests do not have any such city (read carefully Joshua 21).
Though like the priests the Levites have no inheritance among the children of Israel (vv.20,23,24), they nonetheless have cities which the priests do not have.
Let us live in this world as homeless persons, with not even a place to lay our heads; and yet let us feel at home everywhere. For God is with us, and the Lord himself is our inheritance and our portion. Having Him we are satisfied. Apart from Him we have no desire for any other possession. He is our all. We look to Him alone. We long after Him and after His pleasure. We serve Him and no one else.
Compared with the earthly possessions of the children of Israel, the Levites appear as though having nothing. What they do have comes directly from the Lord.
Each time the children of Israel come to the Lord, they have something to offer. They offer bullocks, sheep, or sometimes gold and silver. They have the appearance of being the most zealous of believers, the most willing to offer. But what they offer is mostly the surplus. Though they seem to have offered much, they have not offered all. (Of course, the people of today who belong to the self-centered class are far worse in this regard than even these Old Testament believers.)
Let us offer till there is nothing more to offer—for this is perfect offering.
Besides their various responsibilities and services, the Levites live a city life marked by social interaction and repose.
But the priests, apart from the tranquil and solitary life they lead in the tent of meeting, have no other life. In that restricted area they seek God’s pleasure, and they are constantly occupied with the Father’s business. They often hear His voice and commune with Him. The world is shut outside, for they live in the presence of God.
Let us take God as our satisfaction, with distraction neither from city life nor inheritance.
Owing to the fact of no inheritance, we are restricted in many things. But for the sake of the Lord we are more than willing to be so.
Let us come forth to teach people on behalf of God. Let us enter in to pray to Him on behalf of men.
Nothing is for our own selves!