In
Numbers 27:1-11, we read that the daughters of Zelophehad had obtained an
ordinance which permitted them to inherit their father’s property. But a new
problem arose and this issue was brought to Moses’ attention: What happened if
a daughter who had inherited a property from her father married one who was of
another tribe? Her inheritance would become the inheritance of her husband’s
tribe whom she was married to. Thus, her father’s tribe would lose a portion of
the land inheritance. This would result in some tribes gaining more lands while
some would find their inheritance diminishing.
Moses
replied: “Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the
tribe of their father shall they marry. So shall not the inheritance of the
children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe: for every one of the children of
Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers”
(Numbers 36:6-7).
Every
daughter who had obtained her father’s inheritance was to keep to the
inheritance of her father's tribe, and to marry only within her father’s tribe;
only those that were not heiresses might marry into what tribe they pleased. The
decision here recorded and expanded into a general law, was wholly intended to
preserve to each tribe and each family its own inheritance in the land of
promise.
We
have an inheritance too. At the final end of the dispensation of the gospel,
every faithful Christian will obtain for ever that fullness of joy of eternal
life which has been prepared and reserved for them. Every Christian is to seek
after his own inheritance and not coveting the inheritance which belongs to
others. The inheritance of each Christian is non-transferable.
The
apostle Peter wrote regarding the Christian’s inheritance: “To an
inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in
heaven for you” (1Peter 1:4).
According
to the apostle Peter, our inheritance is distinguished by four important
qualities:
1.
INCORRUPTIBLE. Our inheritance in Christ is imperishable. It is not subjected
to decay. In contrast, everything on earth is subjected to the process of
decaying, rusting, or falling apart. Our houses, our cars, and even our own
bodies will decay and perish; but not the inheritance promised by God to us.
Christ assures us that our treasures in heaven will never rust nor corrupt
(Matthew 6:19–20).
2.
UNDEFILED. Our inheritance in Christ is perfect. It is pure and free from
impurities of sin. Nothing on earth is perfect. Even the most beautiful things
of this world are flawed. But heaven is perfect. Our inheritance is holy,
blameless, exalted, and pure. Revelation 21:27 says: "And there shall
in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh
abomination, or maketh a lie." Nothing sinful or unclean shall ever
enter heaven.
3.
FADETH NOT AWAY. Our inheritance in Christ is unfading. Its glory is eternal;
it is an enduring possession. In this world, beauty is temporary; a beautiful
girl will grow old and wrinkled. A rose will lose her beauty. But heaven’s
glory can never fade away. Heaven’s beauty is perfect and once you see it, you
will forever never want anything else. God says, "Behold, I make all
things new" (Revelation 21:5). It will forever remain new.
4.
RESERVED IN HEAVEN. Our inheritance in Christ has been reserved for us. Our
Lord says: “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2b). What we have
in Christ is being "kept" in heaven for us. It is there and it is
waiting for us. What God has kept and reserved, no man can take it away.
Every
tribe of Israel was concerned that its inheritance might be lost to another.
But the Christian’s inheritance remains forever in heaven because it has been
reserved and kept for us (Revelations 2:10). The important question for
everyone now is: Have you made your reservation?
Jimmy Lau
Psa
119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
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