J14-6: The Levites Were To Be In The World But NOT Part Of The World

We know the the Tribe of Levi was NOT to receive any land inheritance.

However, if that’s the case, where were they to live?

Well, the answer to that question is that they were given cities located inside each of the 12 tribal territories.

They were also given some farmland outside of each city for their animals to graze in.

So what are some of the lessons we learn in terms of what God expected from His specially chosen servants, the Levites?

FIRST, they were to receive no earthly inheritance.

Why?

Because God Himself was to be their inheritance.

Their inheritance was to be a spiritual inheritance, not a material one.

This ties in directly with Yeshua’s words when he said…

...“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”-Matthew 6:19-21

SECOND, any property or material items the Levites did possess were to come to them from the possessions of the other tribes.

FINALLY, the Levites were literally to be in the world but not of the world.

Obviously, from a practical perspective, they needed to eat food, wear clothes, have homes to live in and receive medical attention if they became sick.

The Levites did not have to swear an oath to be poverty-stricken.

But they were not to be profit-seeking businessmen or landowners.

Their needs and their inheritance were to be with God alone.

Do any of these principles sound familiar to you?

Well, they should because they provide the pattern for the New Testament disciples of Yeshua the Messiah.

We’ll talk about this some more the next time we meet.