The inheritance

The inheritance

Scripture: This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “These are the boundaries of the land that you will divide among the twelve tribes of Israel as their inheritance, with two portions for Joseph. You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore with uplifted hand to give it to your ancestors, this land will become your inheritance. Ezekiel 47:13-14

You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners residing among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. Ezekiel 47:22

Observation:

At the time of the temple illustrated in Ezekiel, there will also be an assignment of the land of Israel according to the twelve tribes. During the time of Ezekiel, the Israelites were all in exile, and although a remnant came back led by Ezra and Nehemiah, after Jesus’ death, they became scattered again throughout the nations. Only after World War II, did they come back again and from the country of Israel that we know today. Still, the boundaries of Israel are still to be extended and the inheritance not allocated in the order described at this moment.

Nevertheless, this very specific assignment of the land is a reminder of the future inheritance of Israel and God’s amazing faithfulness. Not one promise that He has made will be broken. All will be fulfilled in due time, just as He has said.

It is interesting also, that Ezekiel 47:22 speaks of foreigners living alongside native-born Israelites, and being considered the same as them, also being allotted an inheritance. This scenario could not be envisioned during the time of Joshua, but during this time, things are different. It is sort of saying to us that God has included us Gentiles as His own children together with His people.

What is spoken in the New Testament about our inheritance?

In Ephesians 1:13-15, Paul says “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” Firstly, the deposit of our inheritance is the Holy Spirit. We are sure of the inheritance we have one day from God because of the Holy Spirit who is with us.

Later, Paul continues in Ephesians 1:18-19 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Part of our glorious inheritance is simply belonging to God’s holy people. We who hope in Jesus become part of His royal family and able to receive His incomparably great power!

The Scripture also warns in Ephesians 5:5 “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Some think they can continue to enjoy sin after they are saved. However, the Scripture is clear that those who continue to be immoral, impure or greedy has no inheritance in the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 9:15 makes it clear for us that it is only because of Jesus Christ that we can receive the promised eternal inheritance, as it is written “
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

And in 1 Peter 1:3-5, our inheritance is beautifully described as one that can never perish, spoil or fade, but is kept in heaven for us. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Application: Praise God for the marvelous heavenly inheritance that He has prepared for us. Let the vision of our heavenly inheritance move us away from obsession or trust in earthly things, but towards hope in heavenly things. Recognize that God’s people are part of our glorious inheritance. We are part of God’s great family called together to be in Him. Examine our lives to see if we are in sin, recognizing that no immoral, impure or greedy person will inherit the kingdom of God. Our minds are key. It is so important to set our minds in looking towards Christ, and growing in Him rather than looking at the world and how to gratify the sinful nature.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank You that it is only in Your sacrifice alone that I am able to have a heavenly inheritance. Lead me, dear Lord, each step of the way, that I may look heavenward and seek Your glory rather than the things of the earth. Strengthen us and uphold us O Lord. Blessed be Your name. In Jesus name, Amen.