Lesson on receiving your inheritance

Our theme for 2024 is “Possessing the Land”

We have been working our way through the book of Joshua and we are only a little more than half-way through, but significant portions of the land have been conquered.

Joshua and the Israelites are dividing up the land.

Two and a half tribes were given land on the East side of the Jordan under Moses when they defeated tribes that were giving them a hard time just passing through their land. (Reuben, Gad, Manasseh)

Ephraim and Judah took the lead and began conquering the hill country that we now call Judea and Samaria (Ephraim = Samaria = House of Joseph).

There are now seven tribes still camped out at Gilgal by the Jordan, waiting for their inheritance.

Except the Levites- last time we read that the Lord is their inheritance.

The Levite will inhabit towns and farms throughout Israel, but they won’t actually own any of it.

The Levites were devoted to serving the Lord and to maintaining the religious life of the community.

What is our inheritance?

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Inheritance

INHERITANCE Legal transmission of property after death. The Hebrew Bible has no exclusive term for “inheritance.” The words often translated “inherit” mean more generally “take possession.” Only in context can they be taken to mean “inheritance.”

Inheritance in literal terms means property that is left behind when a person dies and is distributed among members of the person’s household - their heirs.

In spiritual terms, an inheritance refers to the legacy that we leave behind - continuing to carry out the purpose of one’s life.

It is carrying on the family business.

It is bearing the family name, identity, and reputation.

It is holding on to the history, the memories, and finishing the parts of the person’s story that remain unwritten.

Paul talks about the inheritance that we have in Christ.

Ephesians 1:11–14 NLT

11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. 12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.

When Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, he left behind a mission and a purpose to His followers.

And He also left us the means to accomplish that purpose - the Holy Spirit.

Not to mentions the “glorious riches” of hope and enlightenment.

Ephesians 1:18 TPT

18 I pray that the light of God will illuminate the eyes of your imagination, flooding you with light, until you experience the full revelation of the hope of his calling —that is, the wealth of God’s glorious inheritances that he finds in us, his holy ones!

And what is left for us to do is to simply own it - take possession of it.

What robs us of our inheritance?

In literal terms, what robs families of their inheritance is when the children fight over what is left to them - then the lawyers get all the money!

In more practical terms, what robs people of their inheritance is their attitude toward what they have received.

It’s not fair!

I’m not satisfied!

I feel left out!

Those feelings usually have more to do with our unresolved issues of the past, rather than our current situation.

Joshua addresses these issues as they came up while dividing up the land.

We will see the wisdom that God gave Joshua in dealing with attitudes toward receiving an inheritance.

And we can apply these principles to possessing our own spiritual inheritance.

When life is unfair.

Joshua 17:3–4 ESV

3 Now Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, had no sons, but only daughters, and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 4 They approached Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the leaders and said, “The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance along with our brothers.” So according to the mouth of the Lord he gave them an inheritance among the brothers of their father.

Inheritance was typically for the male heirs of a family.

Land was passed down and divided among the male heirs - women became part of their husband’s family and shared in his inheritance.

Though sometimes land or wealth was given to a woman at the time of her marriage as a wedding gift - as we saw with Caleb’s daughter Achsah last time.

Even today, a woman traditionally takes on her husband’s name, as do the children - though there are exceptions.

But what about a family of all girls - who is going to take over the family property and pass on the family name?

That problem was put to Moses while Israel was still in the wilderness and God gave them a solution.

God has a solution for your misfortune.

Numbers 27:1–4 ESV

1 Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of Manasseh the son of Joseph. The names of his daughters were: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 And they stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the chiefs and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, saying, 3 “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah, but died for his own sin. And he had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan because he had no son? Give to us a possession among our father’s brothers.”

I know several families with all girls and aside from dad’s learning to have tea parties and play “dress up” that is usually not a problem in our culture today.

For my friends in India or in the Middle East, however, it presents a real dilemma, because girls, in those cultures, are still expected to marry and become part of their husband’s family.

My friend, Pastor Mark in India, has made arrangement for his sons-in-law to live with Him and be part of his ministry - but this is an unusual exception.

Zelophehad’s family is an unusual situation as well.

And God is known to make exceptions where they are warranted.

All of the people of Jericho were to be killed, but Rahab was spared - she was an extraordinary example of a Gentile who feared God.

The Gibeonites were Hivites and should have been wiped out, but they were clever and made a covenant with Joshua before it was known who they were - God honors His covenant and they were spared.

God sets the laws of nature and of how the universe operates.

The earth rotates so that each day the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, repeating every twenty-four hours.

Except one day it didn’t, because Joshua rayed and asked God for more time to defeat his enemies.

We tend to talk about God as if God is only about rules.

God gave Israel the Law, and the Law is good, but the Law is not all that there is to knowing God.

Romans 3:21–22 CEV

21 Now we see how God does make us acceptable to him. The Law and the Prophets tell how we become acceptable, and it isn’t by obeying the Law of Moses. 22 God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ.

God is not so much interested in rules as He is in relationship.

The rules are supposed to guide us into relationship.

But the most important thing is not the rules - its the relationship.

God has a plan for restitution.

Numbers 27:5–7 ESV

5 Moses brought their case before the Lord. 6 And the Lord said to Moses, 7 “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them.

Zelophehad is from the tribe of Manasseh.

Manasseh is the older son of Joseph.

Manasseh’s oldest son and heir was Makir.

Makir’s heir was Gilead, after which was named a region east of the Jordan which they possessed during the time of Moses.

Gilead had six sons - or perhaps cousins - shown on this chart as sons of Manasseh.

There were certainly other family members who are not mentioned by name because there were enough of them to occupy two territories east of the Jordan - Gilead and Bashan (now the Golan heights).

And they received ten towns west of the Jordan.

Five for the five male descendants mentioned here.

And another five for the five daughters of Zelophehad.

Zelophehad’s daughters received not one portion, but five portions!

How is that for the generosity of God!

When we think of God as a legalist - He’s not just strict - He’s stingy as well.

But nothing could be farther from the truth about God!

When Moses consults God about the request of these women, not only does God grant their request,

but when it came time for them to receive it, each of them received a portion - a whole town!

So many of Manasseh's descendant's are never mentioned by name - but Moses made sure that each of them are mentioned by name and Joshua too!

These five girls had the misfortune of loosing their father in the wilderness and having to lead the family without a father or a brother to legally represent them.

See how kind and generous God is with them!

God is good to us too when we suffer losses or injustice.

We just need to do what they did and ask.

God wants everyone to have their inheritance!

Numbers 27:8–11 ESV

8 And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter. 9 And if he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 And if he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. 11 And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the nearest kinsman of his clan, and he shall possess it. And it shall be for the people of Israel a statute and rule, as the Lord commanded Moses.’ ”

So not only did Moses grant the daughters of Zelophehad’s request and Joshua gave them each cities in the land of Israel, but Moses also made it a permanent statute that no one would ever have to lose their inheritance.

The whole purpose of the Kingdom of God is to possess the land - to take back what has been wrongly claim by sin, evil and darkness.

1 Peter 1:3–5 TPT

3 Celebrate with praises the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has shown us his extravagant mercy. For his fountain of mercy has given us a new life—we are reborn to experience a living, energetic hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 4 We are reborn into a perfect inheritance that can never perish, never be defiled, and never diminish. It is promised and preserved forever in the heavenly realm for you! 5 Through our faith, the mighty power of God constantly guards us until our full salvation is ready to be revealed in the last time.

What a glorious inheritance!

No, life isn’t fair, but God is still good.

However, some people are still never satisfied with their inheritance.

When you are not satisfied.

Probably the most difficult thing to navigate with inheritance is sibling rivalry.

Someone is always unsatisfied.

If you try to make everything equal, someone is going to think that their unique contributions to the family were not recognized.

If you try to give to each one according to what you think they would want, need or deserve - someone is going to complain that they were short-changed in the transaction.

I guess that’s why some people leave all their money to charity.

If it will help you out, you are welcome to leave it to the church - we will put it to good use!

However, if you are the one feeling unsatisfied about your lot in life or what you have received, then here are some things to consider.

Consider how you have been blessed.

Joshua 17:14 ESV

14 Then the people of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given me but one lot and one portion as an inheritance, although I am a numerous people, since all along the Lord has blessed me?”

Ephraim and Manasseh are two tribes in Israel, two sons of Joseph, but they are speaking here as if they are only one tribe.

Joseph was Jacobs favorite son by his favorite wife Rachel who was sold into slavery by his brothers.

Now Joseph forgave his brothers, but we are seeing what looks like a bit of entitlement here.

When you look at the two tribes as one tribe, they are more numerous than the other tribes.

Judah, to the south has a lot more land - though perhaps not, if you consider that Manasseh also has land east of the Jordan.

But that land to the south is also mostly desert.

Do you see what is happening here?

Satisfaction has to do with how you measure.

If you are constantly comparing your self to others, you will always find someone to be jealous of.

If you are alway thinking of what you don’t have; you will never appreciate what you do have.

Luke 6:37–38 CEV

37 Jesus said: Don’t judge others, and God won’t judge you. Don’t be hard on others, and God won’t be hard on you. Forgive others, and God will forgive you. 38 If you give to others, you will be given a full amount in return. It will be packed down, shaken together, and spilling over into your lap. The way you treat others is the way you will be treated.

The “house of Joseph” begins by saying that they are blessed.

As the descendents of one son of Jacob, they are more numerous than the others.

Then why the entitlement?

They don’t need more, they already have more!

The more they want; the more they are blinded to the blessings that they already have.

Think about that next time you feel like you may have been short-changed - are you even considering the blessings that you already have?

Consider taking initiative.

Joshua 17:15–16 ESV

15 And Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up by yourselves to the forest, and there clear ground for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.” 16 The people of Joseph said, “The hill country is not enough for us. Yet all the Canaanites who dwell in the plain have chariots of iron, both those in Beth-shean and its villages and those in the Valley of Jezreel.”

Joshua turns around and says to the house of Joseph, “If you are so many people, then you can handle the work load of clearing land for yourselves.”

“If you are so great, then you can take on the giants (rephaim).”

If you look at the map, the territory of Manasseh includes, not just hill country but some large valleys as well.

But they are afraid to cross the valleys, because the people there have chariots that can outrun them and out-maneuver them.

This is much like what what just said about blessings - you can’t see what you have when you are focused on what you don’t have.

It’s a victim mentality, a scarcity mindset, a defeatist attitude.

It is fear, plain and simple, that blocks out every little ray of hope.

When you are in that place of hopelessness, helplessness and fear, the only way out is to begin to take initiative.

“So you told me all the things you can’t do, but what can you do?”

And “nothing” is not an acceptable answer.

You may not be able to do much, but you can do something.

You may not be able to do as much as you would like to do, but surely there is some step you can take in the right direction.

The first step to getting unstuck is to just get started - with something.

The truth is, you are not as helpless as you think you are - but you will never know that until you do something.

Just because what you think you want is out of reach, doesn’t make you helpless.

One small step at a time in the right direction will eventually lead to bigger steps.

Don’t worry about what you can’t do; just take the step you have n front of you.

If you do, you will find yourself gaining momentum.

Consider the possibility of what you can become.

Joshua 17:17–18 ESV

17 Then Joshua said to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, “You are a numerous people and have great power. You shall not have one allotment only, 18 but the hill country shall be yours, for though it is a forest, you shall clear it and possess it to its farthest borders. For you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.”

You said it yourself that you are a numerous people,” says Joshua, “ that doesn’t mean you are powerless; it makes you powerful!”

The only reason you say you only have one allotment is because you are choosing to see it in such a narrow way.

Look around you - those hills covered with trees - those are yours!

You are going to climb those hills, chop down trees and build houses.

You need to look at the uninhabited land and see the possibilities.

And as for the people in the valley who have chariots - they may have new technology, but new tech eventually gets old.

You are not thinking about the future and how you can grow.

They may have the upper hand right now, but if you apply yourself to learning and growth, you can overtake them.

When I look at America today and think , how did we get here?

We used to be the greatest nation on earth. But I don’t think we can claim that anymore. When I travel the world, I see young people in other countrys, who may not have the same things that we have, but they are willing to work hard and to learn and grow.

We get stuck in our fear and entitlement and forget how we got to where we were. We may yet have great days ahead, but we can’t take it for granted. We have been blessed in the past, but it remains to be seen how that blessing will translate into the future. The future belongs to those who can see its opportunities and who will take initiative.

Inherent in the word “inheritance” is taking possession of it.

It’s not “free money” or something handed to you.

It is a passing on of stewardship and responsibility.

When I receive and inheritance, I think, “how can I use this in such a way that I can also pass something on to my children.”

If we are not satisfied, it is because we are thinking like consumers and not as stewards.

Consumers consume - stewards create increase for the Kingdom.

When you feel left out.

So far, most of the land has been claimed by Judah and the two tribes of Joseph.

Those distinction will continue and eventually will become the Northern and Southern kingdoms of Israel - Judah and Ephraim - Judea and Samaria.

There are seven more tribes without defined territories.

They will fill in the remaining areas and also portions within Judah, since their territory is so large.

Some of the territories will overlap with that larger tribes, but no one will be left out.

Joshua insists that there is plenty of land for everyone - it just needs to be possessed and inhabited.

If you are feeling left out - perhaps wondering what or where is your inheritance - I can assure you that God has good things in store for all of his children - you included!

Here is what you can do to possess your inheritance.

Don’t delay what you can do today.

Joshua 18:2–3 ESV

2 There remained among the people of Israel seven tribes whose inheritance had not yet been apportioned. 3 So Joshua said to the people of Israel, “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?

First of all, stop putting things off.

Much of what was said already addresses this; but a passive approach will not get you where you need to go.

When we talk about our spiritual inheritance; we ware talking about what God has already given to us - we just need to receive it.

Colossians 3:23–24 CSB

23 Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.

Our spiritual inheritance is our reward for serving the Lord from our heart.

If you want to take hold of your spiritual inheritance, then press in to Jesus - He is your reward!

Tell Jesus that you want Him more that what He can do for you.

An inheritance is not given to strangers - it is given in love and in trust out of relationship.

So the best way to possess your inheritance is to press into relationship with God.

Describe what you see.

Joshua 18:4 ESV

4 Provide three men from each tribe, and I will send them out that they may set out and go up and down the land. They shall write a description of it with a view to their inheritances, and then come to me.

Joshua commissions a survey team of 21 people - three from each tribe.

They are going to walk the length and width of the land and map out the unoccupied areas.

Joshua knows that finishing the job requires a plan.

Maybe the reason you feel left out is because you don’t have a plan?

How is God going to answer your prayer if you are not asking for anything?

How are you ever going to find fulfilment if you don’t know what you want out of life?

Whenever I meet with a counselee, the first thing we do is establish why they are there and what they hope to accomplish?

If we don’t establish that, how are we supposed to know if I am actually helping ( just make them feel better?)

When you think about possessing your spiritual inheritance, it would be good to map out what that means.

What does it mean to you that you are a child of God?

What is God’s purpose for putting you on this earth?

What is His will or plan for your life?

How does your life bring Him glory and you fulfillment?

Think about it - what do you see when you look at the landscape?

Ask God for His vision for your life?

Where do you see yourself in five years? ten years?

Allow yourself to dream with God about the possibilities.

Accept your portion.

Joshua 18:5–6 ESV

5 They shall divide it into seven portions. Judah shall continue in his territory on the south, and the house of Joseph shall continue in their territory on the north. 6 And you shall describe the land in seven divisions and bring the description here to me. And I will cast lots for you here before the Lord our God.

So they worked together to map out seven available territories and then they leave it up to the lot who gets what.

Only a little more than a generation ago, leaders in the Mennonite church were chosen by lot.

A committee would select three or for suitable candidates.

Then they would present them with identical Bibles or hymnals.

One of them would contain a slip of paper or an inscription indicating that this person was chosen by God.

It is only more recently that we consider a lot to be merely a random chance thing.

In Joshua’s time and in more recent church history, it was considered to be a way of discerning God’s choice.

Of course, that is based on the believe that nothing in life is completely random or by chance.

I’m not sure that either believing in random chance or believing that God orchestrates everything is completely true.

I believe that God works through every circumstance and that some events may be more or less random than others.

But it might help us to see God as more involved than not.

Then whatever lot falls to us, we can accept it either as from God or at least permitted by God.

Then whatever cards we are dealt become our assignment, to make the best out of what we have.

It may or may not be what you asked for, but it is what you are given by God who knows you and is good and trustworthy.

If what you have, your life and your circumstances, are from God, then that is part of your inheritance.

If you steward that well, giving glory to God, then there is an even greater inheritance waiting for you.

Questions for reflection:

What does inheritance mean in literal terms and in spiritual terms? Describe the inheritance that we have in Christ? How can we take possession of our spiritual inheritance?

How does inheritance relate to the concept of stewardship and responsibility? What examples from Joshua illustrate God making exceptions or granting requests? How does this suggest that God's interest is more in relationship than just following rules?

What attitudes or mindset rob you of your inheritance , and how will you overcome it? How does the message of Joshua encourage you to consider your blessings and not to compare yourself to others?