Our Great Inheritance!

Numbers 36:1-5 -  The family heads of the clan of Gilead son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, who were from the clans of the descendants of Joseph, came and spoke before Moses and the leaders, the heads of the Israelite families. They said, "When the LORD commanded my lord to give the land as an inheritance to the Israelites by lot, he ordered you to give the inheritance of our brother Zelophehad to his daughters.  Now suppose they marry men from other Israelite tribes; then their inheritance will be taken from our ancestral inheritance and added to that of the tribe they marry into. And so part of the inheritance allotted to us will be taken away.  When the Year of Jubilee for the Israelites comes, their inheritance will be added to that of the tribe into which they marry, and their property will be taken from the tribal inheritance of our forefathers."  Then at the LORD's command Moses gave this order to the Israelites: "What the tribe of the descendants of Joseph is saying is right.

 

This great book of numbers comes to a close …with one last mediation of the people and God from the great leader Moses. The tribal leaders were concerned about an established command of God…when some of their brothers had died…and left no sons to claim the land of inheritance.  It seems that the boldness of these leaders was a good thing this time…as Moses both confirmed their fears and relayed the words of God that would protect every piece of land given to a family tribe…that all inheritances should permanently stay in that tribe. It was an easy fix….marriage to cousins within the tribe…so the land would stay in the tribe.

 

Just a lesson on who to marry…I think not…for when God gave his son to save the world…the family that would receive his inheritance was increased.  He made everyone his family …that would believe on the precious son he sent to save us…and gave to all the possibility of sharing in the great inheritance of heaven someday.  We must bind ourselves together…and love…and trust…and forgive…and hold our Christian brothers and sisters dear…..for they are our family…every single one that believes.

 

The inheritance he gave us…it isn’t land….it isn’t worldly wisdom…or wealth…it isn’t beauty or fame…it isn’t even a promise of long life or health.  God’s promise is simply to love us like no other can.  He promised to be with us always…and protects us from the evil one…and supply every need we have…he gives us eternal life through his son’s death on the cross. He gives us his spirit…of which Paul wrote in Romans 8:14-17  …. “ because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ""Abba," Father."  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

 

Paul also left us with the great words of Romans 8:28… “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Hard words to hear when we read about the deaths of innocent children at the hands of a man controlled by Satan…when we have been left alone from a divorce or death of a loved one….when the news of cancer reaches our ears…or when we have no place to live or sleep each night.  It is so hard for any human brain that is not fully controlled by the spirit to understand the smaller pieces of God’s greater plan…and let the peace that passes understanding give them a sense of calm and a permanent assurance of God’s great promise of hope for our future.

 

Father…I thank you for the promise that gives me the peace to rest in you each night.  I thank you that you gave your perfect son up to save my sinful soul…and made me one of your children when I called out to you and accepted the precious gift you gave me.  Help me to see the great inheritance you have waiting for me in heaven…and seek the work you put me here to do.  I thank you for all the lessons you allowed Moses to record in the book of Numbers.  Help me to always remember to learn from my mistakes…to sidestep disaster by always believing in your great power and strength…to use the great power you can give me to keep from falling back into the sin you saved me from…to avoid complaining and be content n all things… and avoid all compromise with the world’s ways. Amen.