The land given to the tribes west of the Jordan were divided by lot, with nine and one-half tribes receiving land, including the half-tribe of Ephraim. Joseph’s tribes was divided into two tribes in order to take the place of the Levites, who did not receive a land. They only received cities in which to live. The seemingly unfair distribution of land regarding the exclusion of the Levites is a nod toward the role of ministry. The Levites were responsible for the vocational ministry in the tabernacle and among the Jews. Because of this, they were to be dedicated to the life of the tabernacle and the ministry of sacrifices. In this system, they were not free to have a normal life with land as the rest of the Israelites. Instead, their inheritance was the tabernacle, and eventually the temple. This speaks to the extreme dedication the priests made to the ministry. Ministers today need to see ministry as a calling, a serious vocation. It is our inheritance from the Lord!
Devoted To You 