Village Schools of the Bible

A Devotional Study of Joshua
by Max Frazier, Jr.

AN INHERITANCE
Joshua 13

I suppose it is the secret dream of most people to receive a sizable inheritance from a family member. We have a fascination in those stories which we read of a person who inherits a great deal of money from a Great Uncle Harry whom he has never known.

The central feature of Joshua 13 is that of receiving an inheritance. In fact, this will be the theme for most of the remaining chapters of this great book. I would like to have us notice two truths which God has shown me from this particular chapter.

First, I read in verse 14 these words: But to the tribe of Levi he (that is Joshua) gave no inheritance, since the offerings made by fire to the Lord, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, as he promised them. The tribe of Levi received no inheritance because the Lord was their inheritance. I wonder how satisfying that was to them. All around, their friends in the other tribes were receiving estates. They were securing properties which had their names on them. But, as Levites, they were not receiving any lands. They were not obtaining any estates. They were told that their inheritance was the Lord.

It is difficult for those who are in many ministries today to see their peers in other professions advancing in the material things of this world. It is especially hard for their children. I remember my college days when I knew several students who had grown up on the mission fields around the world and who had not had the material things many of the rest of us did. They really struggled with feelings of discouragement over this fact.

And yet, their inheritance is the Lord. I believe that there are blessings which are given specially to those who have sacrificed the things of this world to proclaim the gospel of Christ. One only has to think of the great pioneering missionary statesmen, like William Carey, Hudson Taylor, and David Livingstone, who gave up the security of vocation for the cause of Christ. In a very real way, their inheritance, their legacy is dependent upon God.

I see a second truth within this chapter. It is reflected in the desires of the two and a half tribes to receive their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan River. Now friends, that land was never given by God to Abraham. It was not part of the Promised Land. Yet, these people were willing to settle for God's second best because it was a place of convenience and ease. The battles had been won there already. Yet, as one studies the history of these tribes, they suffered one defeat after another because they were living outside the boundaries of God's inheritance, because they had settled for God's second best.

Sadly, I must admit, I am afraid that on occasion, I also have settled for God's second best because it seemed to be the easier road at the time. God's second best is just that: it is His second best. How we must focus upon God's best...the Promised Land.

Father God, we have begun to reflect upon inheritances today. And how we praise You for the inheritance which we have already received from Your hand, namely, our eternal salvation. And we praise You for the inheritance which we will receive in the future...our heavenly home. Help us to remember that this world is not our inheritance, but You, O Lord, are. And make us content only when we are walking in Your perfect will, experiencing Your best for our lives. Thank You, in Christ's name. Amen.

Joshua 12 Return to Table of Contents Joshua 14