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March 10th
The Bible reading for today is in Numbers chapters 35,36.
Israel is about to invade Canaan. But before they do He addresses the spiritual leaders of the nation...the Levitical priests and the clan. God came right out and told them that when it came time to divide up the land they wouldn't be getting a portion. Every other clan was promised a piece of land. But the Levites were not!
The Levites’ inheritance was to be....drum roll...“The LORD ALONE!
I have to believe that there were some Levites then that either said, “That’s not fair.”...”Is that all we get for our service to the Lord and to the tabernacle and to the congregation?” or “What does that mean?...”The Lord Alone”?
Some might think, “we might think”, that “the Lord alone” is a consolation prize. But when we take the time to let this word settle into us, I believe we will think much differently.
Isn't God better and greater than everything else...everything else! Sure He is...But still, as believers we find ourselves not living like we believe that.
Maybe it is the word “Alone” that scares us. The believing wife of a sick husband knows in her mind that God has promised to take care of her, with or without her husband. But when she thinks of doing life without her beloved, FAITH that God is and will be enough for her is just hard to come by.
Some Levites probably spoke among themselves...”The land that our brothers and sisters are promised....well, they can see it, and feel it and watch it produce crops and orchards that will feed them and even keep them healthy. I still wish He would give us our own land too.
Why would God choose to do this with the Levites?
From our reading thus far, at least two things are evident. God prepares and God sustains His people...especially His spiritual leaders. This “The Lord Alone” reality in the lives of the Levitical priesthood was not an afterthought of God. This was on purpose.
What God wanted for all of His “promised land kids” would be demonstrated by the descendants of Aaron and Moses and their clan, the Levites.
And that one main thing that the Levites were to exemplify before the people....that is...“The Lord Alone is enough!”...Is exactly what the rest of the nation needed to see worked out before them...Godly priests and their families to look at and be encouraged by to believe God...that He Alone is our portion...and He is enough...no matter what.
Not the Lord and some land is enough...Not the Lord and some good health is enough...Not the Lord and some financial security is enough...Not the Lord and a loving spouse and healthy children is enough...But...“The Lord Alone!” Is enough.
The Lord told Aaron, “I will be your “portion”!
I read the word “portion” here and I think of an interesting side note...bear with me a minute more. In the gospels, Jesus told Peter that if he did not allow Jesus to wash his feet, then Peter would have no “portion” with Him.
And remember that after Jesus washed the disciples’ feet He told them to go and do likewise. Jesus was doing more than cleansing people of the dust around their feet. Jesus came to forgive their sins against Him.
So when He said go and do likewise he was telling them to forgive those who trespassed against them. Only then would they have a “portion” with Christ..only then would they get to share space with Him...and have constant fellowship with Him.
Enjoy the rest of the story
