Sunday, January 15, 2012

Joshua 14 - Whose Inheritance

A couple of inheritances described in this chapter - the Levites and Caleb.

First of all, the inheritance of the Levites is none...  The priests get nothing.  They are - their needs are provided for under the law.  They will not starve.  They will always be taken care of.  But, as far as a huge property settlement; there is none.  They are to be focused on caring for the tabernacle, for serving the LORD - not on personal property, but, on the LORD's property.  When I read this section this morning, it reminded me of something that well may irritate more than one clergy.  That is the need to provide for themselves.  The desire and need to serve the LORD according to their own personal needs.  I am in part talking about pensions.  Is your pension fund in any way affecting your decision to follow the will of God for you and the people around you?  I am also talking about salaries...  Think about it...  Would God let His servant starve?  Did he not provide for the Levites?  Then why is it that there are so many clergy types (including those in local congregations as well as on TV) running around more concerned about their salary, more concerned about money, than doing the will of God?  Why is accepting a call sometimes really determined by the salary or the job opportunities for a spouse?   Just saying...  Think about it...  Whom do you serve?

Caleb is the first to receive an inheritance as the property is being doled out west of the Jordan.  He receives the land that he had first set foot on forty some years before.  At that time, he was willing to go and conquer the Anakim and take the land as the LORD commanded, but others in the party were not.  For their unfaithfulness, the Israelites got to wander around in the wilderness for 40 years.  For his faithfulness, Caleb received this land. 

Indeed, whom do we serve?  Who is it that we listen to?  God or man?  The LORD is our portion and strength.  He provides all things for those who trust Him.

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