Levi's Inheritance

Joshua 13:14 (ESV) To the tribe of Levi alone Moses gave no inheritance. The offerings by fire to the LORD God of Israel are their inheritance, as he said to him.

Could you imagine being Levi during the land allotment? What gives? Everyone gets something to call their own except us??? Yet instead of focusing on what they don't get, look at what they do get!

It is an interesting way to phrase Levi's inheritance among God's people. They will have the "offerings by fire to the Lord God." What exactly is this gift? 

Whenever any worshipper wanted to come before the Lord for worship, the Levites were to be there to make sure the entire process was handled properly. These offerings were the best of the entire nation's increase including their first born flocks.

The offerings made by fire are considered a "pleasing aroma" to the Lord. 

Leviticus 1:17 (ESV) He shall tear it open by its wings, but shall not sever it completely. And the priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It is a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

So Levi got a pleasant smelling place to live. I don't know about you but I love the smell of cooking meat. It feels so homey.

The burnt offering fire was not to go out.
Leviticus 6:12 (ESV) The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not go out. The priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and he shall arrange the burnt offering on it and shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings.

The Levites also had light continually before them. They would not dwell in darkness but rather enjoyed the light of God's presence.

The burnt offerings were made to the Lord for three things: food - Leviticus 2, peace - Leviticus 3, and sin - Leviticus 4. We see in the laws of the burnt offerings that God wanted the Levites to experience these particular blessings of being close to Him in practical ways. They would have dwelt in a fine smelling, well-lit location filled with food, peace, and forgiveness. What a picture of our life with God through Christ. He brings us close to the Father so that we can experience these things ourselves. He is the light of the world, the bread from heaven and the way to forgiveness of sin. 

So the Levites get no portion of land because they got the most incredible gift God had to offer: Himself. The presence of the Lord is a better portion than land and possessions.

Psalm 16:5 (ESV) The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.

Psalm 119:57 (ESV) The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words.

Psalm 142:5 (ESV) I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

Finally, there was this blessing pronounced by Moses on the tribe of Levi:

Deuteronomy 33:8 (ESV) And of Levi he said, “Give to Levi your Thummim, and your Urim to your godly one, whom you tested at Massah, with whom you quarreled at the waters of Meribah;

The Urim and Thummim were some kind of ancient stones used to discern the will of the Lord. They were to be kept on the breast piece of the high priest. The blessing continues from Moses:

Deuteronomy 33:10 (ESV) They shall teach Jacob your rules and Israel your law; they shall put incense before you and whole burnt offerings on your altar.

They were not only to know God's will and law, they were to teach God's people the law. What a sacred opportunity!

Note the word from Joshua 13:14 which says, "the tribe of Levi ALONE". The phrasing makes clear it is a privilege to have what Levi had. They were to be in God's presence discerning God's will and enjoying the warm light of the tabernacle at all times. Would you consider this better than land and possessions? It is a revelation of one's heart if so. Becuase ultimately there is nothing better than that. In His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).