An Enduring Portion

TEXT: JOSHUA 18:21-28

Key verse: “...This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families” (Joshua 18:28).

Generally, there is a sense of sacred and cherished birthright attached to the inheritance of land in many nations by the beneficiary. In Israel, the Lord had promised the people, through Moses and his successor, Joshua, that the land of Canaan would be divided among the tribes as an inheritance. After Joshua had fought all the battles successfully and there was now peace round about, it became imperative to do as the LORD had instructed concerning the land.

The dividing of the land was not without squabbles as Joshua had to cast lot. “And the lot of the tribe of Benjamin came up according to their families…(verse 11). On the whole, the tribe of Benjamin had a total of twenty six cities, including Jerusalem. The portion lay north of Judah and south of Ephraim. Though the territory was small in size, it was strategically located, commercially and militarily.

Today, many families are held up in scores of litigation over issues of land inheritance. This has had a telling effect on the unity and cohesion of such families. While it is good to inherit land and property from our families because “a prudent man leaveth an inheritance unto his children’s children”, we should be more concerned about our heavenly inheritance “where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God”.

As believers, we are heirs of all things: His grace (1 Peter 3:7); His salvation (Hebrews 1:14); eternal life (Titus 3:7); and His righteousness (Hebrews 11:7). We are therefore advised to set our affection on things above, for our life is already hid with Christ in God. It is wise to split hairs on transient and fleeting material perquisites. How we need to devote our burstling energies into laying for ourselves treasures and inheritances in heaven!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Believers’ portion is a never fading one.