The book of Joshua, Chapters 13-15, recounts the dividing up of the Promised Land to each of the 12 tribes of Israel. In the middle of this division is a unique and profound statement regarding the tribe of Levi.
But to the tribe of Levi, Moses did not give an inheritance; the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as He had promised to them. (Joshua 13:3)
The tribe of Levi had been given an extraordinary job. They were keepers of the Tabernacle in the wilderness and, later, the Temple. Every day, their people tended to the presence of God, making sure that sacrifices and offerings were given to atone for the people of God. Their living was earned through part of the offerings that were given.
Every other tribe received an allotment of land. But A.W. Tozer writes of this gift to the Levites.
“When the Lord divided Canaan among the tribes of Israel, Levi received no share of the land. God said to him simply, ‘I am thy part and thine inheritance,’ and by those words made him richer than all his brethren, richer than all the kings and rajas who have ever lived in the world … the man who has God for his treasure has all things in One.” (A.W. Tozer, “The Pursuit of God”)
To have Him and His presence is to have it all, for everything flows from the presence of the Lord. Everything. Jesus would later say to a distracted, worried Martha who was angry that her sister was “sitting at the Lord’s feet, listening to His words,” a similar thought.
“Only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42)
Do you have Him? And, having Him, do you intentionally chose to live daily in the conscious awareness of and submission to His presence? Do you live a presence-centered life? If so, you are as rich as the Levites. As wealthy as Mary. For to have Him is to have it all.
