Joshua 13:14
To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance. The offerings made by fire to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, just as He had promised them.
To the tribe of Levi, however, Moses had given no inheritance.
The Levites were set apart for religious duties and service to God, which is why they did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes. This distinction is rooted in their role as priests and caretakers of the tabernacle, as outlined in Numbers 18:20-24. Their lack of land inheritance emphasizes their dependence on God and the community of Israel for sustenance, highlighting their unique spiritual role. This arrangement also underscores the principle that their true inheritance is spiritual rather than material.

The food offerings to the LORD, the God of Israel, are their inheritance,
The Levites were sustained through the offerings made by the Israelites, as described in Leviticus 7:28-36. These offerings included portions of sacrifices and tithes, which provided for their physical needs. This system ensured that the Levites could focus on their spiritual duties without the distraction of agricultural labor. The offerings symbolize the community's support for those who serve God, reflecting a broader biblical principle of providing for those dedicated to ministry (1 Corinthians 9:13-14).

just as He had promised them.
This phrase reaffirms God's faithfulness to His promises, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 18:1-2. The Levites' inheritance through offerings was not an afterthought but a fulfillment of God's covenantal promise. This assurance of provision is a testament to God's reliability and care for those who serve Him. It also foreshadows the New Testament concept of spiritual inheritance for believers, as seen in Ephesians 1:11, where the ultimate inheritance is found in Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Tribe of Levi
The Levites were one of the twelve tribes of Israel, set apart for religious duties and service to God. They were not given a specific territory like the other tribes but were instead given cities to dwell in and were supported by the offerings made by the other tribes.

2. Offerings Made by Fire
These were sacrifices offered to God, which included burnt offerings, grain offerings, and peace offerings. They were a significant part of the Levitical priesthood's duties and were considered holy.

3. The LORD, the God of Israel
This refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, who established the laws and commandments for His people, including the role and inheritance of the Levites.

4. Inheritance
In the context of the Israelites, inheritance typically referred to the land apportioned to each tribe. For the Levites, their inheritance was unique as it was not land but the offerings made to God.

5. Promise
This refers to God's covenantal promise to the Levites that their inheritance would be the offerings made by fire, as stated in earlier scriptures such as Numbers 18:20-24.
Teaching Points
God's Provision for His Servants
The Levites' inheritance was a reminder that God provides for those who serve Him. In our lives, we can trust that God will meet our needs as we dedicate ourselves to His service.

Spiritual Inheritance Over Material Possessions
The Levites' inheritance was spiritual rather than material, teaching us to value our spiritual blessings in Christ over earthly possessions.

The Role of Sacrifice in Worship
The offerings made by fire were central to the Levites' role, highlighting the importance of sacrifice in our worship and relationship with God.

Living as a Set-Apart People
Just as the Levites were set apart for God's work, believers today are called to live distinct lives, dedicated to God's purposes.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the unique inheritance of the Levites challenge our understanding of what it means to be blessed by God?

2. In what ways can we, like the Levites, find our inheritance and identity in God rather than in material possessions?

3. How does the concept of offerings and sacrifices in the Old Testament relate to our worship practices today?

4. What can we learn from the Levites about living a life set apart for God's service in our current context?

5. How does the New Testament concept of believers as a "royal priesthood" connect to the role and inheritance of the Levites?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Numbers 18:20-24
This passage outlines God's instructions to Aaron and the Levites regarding their inheritance, emphasizing that they would not receive land but would be sustained by the offerings of the people.

Deuteronomy 18:1-2
These verses reiterate that the Levites have no portion or inheritance with Israel because the LORD is their inheritance.

1 Peter 2:9
This New Testament verse speaks of believers as a royal priesthood, drawing a parallel to the unique calling and inheritance of the Levites.
God Takes Note of Our ,Failing StrengthJ. Parker, D.D.Joshua 13:1-33
Joshua's Old AgeW. G. Blaikie, D. D.Joshua 13:1-33
More BeyondJoshua 13:1-33
On Progress in ReligionW. Jay.Joshua 13:1-33
Territory Yet to be Taken by the ChurchW. Seaton.Joshua 13:1-33
The Christian's WorkT. Guthrie, D. D.Joshua 13:1-33
The Uncompleted WorkF. B. Meyer, B. A.Joshua 13:1-33
Unconquered TerritoryCharles Vince.Joshua 13:1-33
The Inheritance of LeviW.F. Adeney Joshua 13:14, 33
People
Ammonites, Amorites, Arah, Ashdodites, Ashdothites, Ashkelonites, Avites, Avvites, Balaam, Beor, Canaanites, Debir, Ekronites, Eshkalonites, Evi, Gad, Gadites, Gazathites, Gazites, Gebalites, Geshurites, Giblites, Gittites, Hur, Israelites, Jair, Joshua, Levi, Maacah, Maacathites, Maachathites, Machir, Machirites, Manasseh, Og, Reba, Rekem, Rephaites, Reuben, Reubenites, Sidonians, Sihon, Zereth, Zidonians, Zur
Places
Aphek, Aroer, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ashtaroth, Baal-gad, Bamoth-baal, Bashan, Beth-baal-meon, Beth-baal-peor, Beth-haram, Beth-jeshimoth, Beth-nimrah, Betonim, Debir, Dibon, Edrei, Egypt, Ekron, Gath, Gaza, Geshur, Gilead, Heshbon, Jahaz, Jair, Jazer, Jericho, Jordan River, Kedemoth, Kiriathaim, Lebanon, Lebo-hamath, Maacath, Mahanaim, Mearah, Medeba, Mephaath, Midian, Misrephoth-maim, Moab, Mount Hermon, Pisgah, Rabbah, Ramath-mizpeh, Salecah, Sea of Chinnereth, Shihor, Sibmah, Succoth, Tirzah, Valley of the Arnon, Zaphon, Zereth-shahar
Topics
Alone, Fire, Fire-offerings, Heritage, Inheritance, Levi, None, Offerings, Promised, Sacrifices, Spake, Spoke, Spoken, Tribe, Tribes
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 13:1-33

     5235   boundary

Joshua 13:14-15

     4208   land, divine responsibility

Library
October 2. "Moses Gave not any Inheritance; the Lord God of Israel was their Inheritance, as He Said unto Them" (Josh. xiii. 33).
"Moses gave not any inheritance; the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance, as He said unto them" (Josh. xiii. 33). This is very significant. God gave the land to the other tribes but He gave Himself to the Levites. There is such a thing in Christian life as an inheritance from the Lord, and there is such a thing as having the Lord Himself for our inheritance. Some people get a sanctification from the Lord which is of much value, but which is variable, and often impermanent. Others have learned
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Unwon but Claimed
'There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed, ... them will I drive out from before the children of Israel; only divide thou it by lot unto Israel for an inheritance'--Joshua xiii. 1-8. Joshua was now a very old man and had occupied seven years in the conquest. His work was over, and now he had only to take steps to secure the completion by others of the triumph which he would never see. This incident has many applications to the work of the Church in the world, but not less important ones
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Great Part of South Judea Cut Off under the Second Temple. Jewish Idumean.
The Talmudic girdle ends, as you see, in "Kadesh, Barnea, and Ascalon." Hence it cannot but be observed, that these two places are placed, as it were, in parallel; and whatsoever space lies between Ascalon and the river of Egypt, is excluded,--to wit, fifty-four miles. And one might, indeed, almost see some footsteps of that exclusion under the first Temple, in that very common expression, "From Dan even to Beer-sheba." This country, that was excluded, was something barren. The Talmudists speak thus
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Birth of Jesus.
(at Bethlehem of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke II. 1-7. ^c 1 Now it came to pass in those days [the days of the birth of John the Baptist], there went out a decree [a law] from Cæsar Augustus [Octavius, or Augustus, Cæsar was the nephew of and successor to Julius Cæsar. He took the name Augustus in compliment to his own greatness; and our month August is named for him; its old name being Sextilis], that all the world should be enrolled. [This enrollment or census was the first step
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The River of Egypt, Rhinocorura. The Lake of Sirbon.
Pliny writes, "From Pelusium are the intrenchments of Chabrias: mount Casius: the temple of Jupiter Casius: the tomb of Pompey the Great: Ostracine: Arabia is bounded sixty-five miles from Pelusium: soon after begins Idumea and Palestine from the rising up of the Sirbon lake." Either my eyes deceive me, while I read these things,--or mount Casius lies nearer Pelusium, than the lake of Sirbon. The maps have ill placed the Sirbon between mount Casius and Pelusium. Sirbon implies burning; the name of
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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