March 11th

Numbers 34:1-36:13

God gave Moses instructions regarding the inheritance of the Levites; since they would not receive any territory (their inheritance was the Tabernacle), God provided them with 48 cities in which to live.

The Lord also provided laws of inheritance pertaining to marriage. Some of the people were concerned that one tribe would gain dominance over another through marriage, as territory would pass from a father to a daughter and, ultimately, to her husband. God’s solution was for a person to marry within one’s tribe, so that his or her inherited land would stay within the tribe. In this way, He protected their inheritance so that they could never lose it.

All but one of the tribes received an inheritance of land in Canaan. “The Levites would, instead, inherit the Lord Himself” (Deut. 18:1, 2), meaning the Tabernacle and the service of worship. Their inheritance was of a spiritual nature rather than physical. While we may receive an inheritance today, or leave one behind for our children, it will more than likely be money or physical objects. However, as adopted children of God, we have a spiritual inheritance in Christ that is more valuable than anything we could ever receive on earth (Eph. 1:11).

While the people of Israel inherited the Promised Land, our inheritance, in a word, is heaven. It is the entirety of what Christ promised to His followers in salvation. Peter wrote, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who caused us to... obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for us” (1 Peter 1:3, 4).

Notice that Peter described our inheritance as imperishable. Everything on earth is subject to death, destruction, or decay, but our heavenly treasure is not affected by these things. Peter also described our inheritance as undefiled or pure. Everything on earth is flawed because of sin, full of imperfections; but our heavenly inheritance is incorruptible, perfect, and pure.

Finally, Peter wrote that our inheritance will not fade away; it is reserved for us in heaven. We can do nothing to lose our inheritance; and, it cannot be taken away. Unlike the things of earth, our inheritance cannot be used up; it is eternal, to be enjoyed forever.

Daily Reflection

How does knowing that you have such a wonderful inheritance affect your daily life? What impact should it make on how you think, how you respond, or the decisions you make?

“Give thanks to the Father who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints...” (Colossians 1:12).

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