PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Joshua 17-18
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Joshua gave the daughters of Zelophehad an inheritance.” (Joshua 17:4).
In ancient Israel, the inheritance passed on to the sons.
This was their cultural practice, not God’s original intent.
In Genesis 1, God’s original intent was to give creation to both Adam and Eve.
In these chapters we see a hint of what God’s will to bless men and women.
In this case, with no sons, the daughters can receive it (Numbers 27,36).
Jesus comes to reunite the children of Adam and Eve as God’s image-bearers.
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
As Jesus followers, our inheritance in Christ is new life in the Spirit.
“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29)
This applies to men and women, but also to race, age, and sin-caused social classes.
We all together breathe the same Spirit, and share in the gift of life!
Unity and equality do not come easily, but God keeps pushing us in this direction.
PRAYER
Lord, you keep breaking down the walls that we build up. Help us by your Spirit to share God’s blessings equally with all people!
I’m sure there were tensions among the different tribes in the distribution. And much of the land was not free and clear – but Joshua urged the people to move and occupy the territories assigned to them by lot or by previous arrangement. Levi was different. Even though each of us are image bearers of God and under God we are all equal – yet our personal context for living with differing attributes, abilities, natural skills – we are not the same. Our genes determine our gender and our stature and even our longevity. Like the workers in the vineyard – we serve longer or shorter – but the important thing is we serve. We use the God given set of abilities, aptitudes, skills and time that God has given us – and we must think of using them for the kingdom first. So often we think about what’s good for me – like Lot we choose what we think is best for me. In Jesus kingdom – that’s not the way! The least, the lost, the last – are first. Help me Lord to live that!
The tribes received their allotted land. Their inheritance. They were to take possession and work the land as instructed by the Lord and enjoy the produce according to the laws the Lord gave – no Sabbath labour, the land to remain fallow in the 7th year, the year of Jubilee. God continued to be their law Giver and Guide. All what they had was from the Lord. All what I have I owe to Him. All what I have is to be used in His way.
All that I am I owe to Thee;
Thy wisdom, Lord, has fashioned me.
I give my Maker thankful praise,
whose wondrous works my soul amaze.