Joshua

When Joshua divided the land among the twelve tribes, it was done by lot. Most of them did not have a choice in the matter. When God made the choice it was good and for His glory. The songwriter expressed it perfectly. "Not what I wish to be, nor where I wish to go, for who am I that I should choose my way. The Lords shall choose for me, tis better far I know, so let Him bid me go or stay."

I would like to speak to you who are discontented with your lot in life. I'm sure you know people who are lonely because they are disillusioned with life. Bright hopes for the future were shattered a long time ago. Bad health has dogged their steps for years, so they feel they are no good to themselves or to anyone else.

Marriage, which had begun so wonderfully and idealistically has evaporated and has left couples stunned and devastated. The big danger is to build resentment to the Lord for such things. The result is sourness and unhappiness.

What can we say to such people? Perhaps your life has become hard and seemingly hopeless. I really don't know why bad things happen to good people. However, there is an answer in the midst of the dark cloud. Let me share with you the case of the tribe of Levi. In the text we find out that Levi had no inheritance among their people. The Lord was their inheritance. However, there was a serious problem for the Tribe of Levi.

Levi was a cursed tribe. The Bible tells us why. Genesis 49:5-7. Simeon and Levi had a sister named Dinah. Shechem, a Canaanite, violated her. After making a pretense of peace, Simeon and Levi attacked the city and put to death all the males including the man who had violated their sister. They rescued their sister, looted the city and took the children and women as plunder. They had done a cruel and heartless thing.

When Jacob heard about it, he was deeply distressed. You have made me stink among the inhabitants of the land he said. Now, they will join forces and attack us. This didn't happen. However, late in life he gathered his sons around him and expounded the patriarchal blessing. When he distributed the blessings, he cursed Simeon and Levi. We don't know what they suffered from the curse but we do know that they were to be scattered among the tribes. Although it was a sad day, it didn't mean that all was hopeless.

Levi was a restored tribe. Exodus 32:26. Simeon passed into oblivion but Levi had a change in heart. You will recall the story. Moses was on Mount Sinai for forty days while God gave him the law. The Decalogue was written on tablets of stone. When Moses came down from the mount, Aaron had melted down gold and made a golden calf. He found the people worshiping the calf and dancing in revelry and immorality. They had broken the law before they ever heard it. When Moses saw it, he broke the tablets of the law and said to the people, "Who is on the Lord's side let him come to me." The whole tribe of Levi, to the man, came to Moses, and they became the instruments of judgment on those who had broken the law. The tribe of Levi repented of their sin and turned to God. Moses said to them, today you have been set apart of the Lord. At that moment Moses removed the curse and Levi was restored to the place of blessing. God can make good come out of evil. The Lord can restore lost years and make us useful again.

Levi was an honored Tribe. DT. 10:8,9. Three things were said of Levi. First, the Lord set apart Levi to carry the Ark of the Covenant. Remember that the Ark was a symbol of the presence of Jehovah-God. Gershon, Merari and Kohath were the three sons of Levi that had did this work. Actually they carried the Lord with them wherever they went.

Today we don't have the Ark of the Covenant but the Bible tells us that our bodies are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. This means that we carry the Lord with us wherever we go. Peter tells us that we are a "chosen generation a royal priesthood . . . that you should declare the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." 1 Peter 2: 9 This means that we should be careful how we treat our temple. We take the Lord with us everywhere.

Second, they stood before the Lord to minister to the people. The Levies ministered at the Brazen altar, kept pure water in the laver of washing, put oil in the golden lampstand, supplied shew bread on the table in the holy place. These people were joined to the High Priest in the service of the tabernacle. They stood before the Lord just as we to stand before the Lord as we contribute our talents and abilities to Him. 

Third, they pronounced blessings in the name of the Lord. What does this mean? It means to pronounce a benediction or invoke a blessing. 2 Samuel 6:17-19. They expressed with gestures and body language a blessing on the people who came to worship the Lord.

Because of this ministry, the Levites were not given an inheritance among their people. Forty-eight cities were set apart for the Levites. After they took their rotation at the tabernacle or temple they would return to these cities where they were cared for with the tithes and offerings of the people. In like manner Paul said, they that preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

What a wonderful lot they received? Do you pronounce a blessing or a curse as you serve the Lord? Are you satisfied with your territory in life? Can you accept what God has allotted for you and, go out and bless the people?

This is what living victoriously means. This is what the satisfied life is all about.