Joshua 16: 9

“The separate cities for the children Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh all the cities with their villages.”

 

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for inheritance is nachalah, meaning; to occupy, take permanent possession; a portion of a state of blessing. There are more than 200 terms for inheritance found throughout the Old Testament. The focus of the concept of inheritance was God's promise to Abraham. In Chapter 16, we see the boundaries of the land and cities given as the inheritance to Joseph's son, Ephraim. There were famous places within the territory of Ephraim. Shiloh was the location of the first tabernacle. Tirzah was the city of Jeroboam, and the palm tree where Deborah sat and presided as a judge was in Ephraim's territory. Jacob's well was also in this territory, and it was where Jesus spoke to the woman in Samaria. The city of Ramah is the city of Arimathea in the New Testament. Joseph of Arimathea took care of Jesus's burial.

 

So how is inheritance applicable to Christ-followers today? We find the word inherit used interchangeably in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. We are also heirs of God's promise to Abraham, which includes "the world."  Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we are children of God, heirs of the gift of eternal life. Jesus tells us the meek will inherit the earth. Jesus promises us peace that passes all understanding. Jesus promises us joy. Jesus promises never to leave us or forsake us. Jesus promises us strength. Jesus tells us to ask him for wisdom. Jesus promises to supply all our needs. Jesus promises us the power of the Holy Spirit. Are we living our daily lives as heirs, as children of the Most High God? Take some time to reflect on your inheritance and how you have seen evidence of it in your life.

Now think of someone you know who does not have this inheritance.

"I will strive to: GO and boldly share the Gospel!"

Prayer: Heavenly Father, what an inheritance we have! It is hard to grasp the meaning of eternity in our finite minds. We are standing on each of your promises. You never fail us. You have proved to us time and-time again you will supply all our needs, and you make a way when we can see no way, no answer to what we are facing. Holy Spirit give us a heightened sense of awareness to recognize your promises as they are fulfilled in our lives, and the boldness to share these promises to others. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Old Testament the Hebrew word for inheritance is nachalah meaning; to occupy, to take permanent possession; a portion of a state of blessing. There are more than 200 terms for inheritance found throughout the Old Testament. The focus of the concept of inheritance was God’s promise to Abraham. In Chapter 16, we find the boundaries of the land and cities given as the inheritance to Joseph’s son, Ephraim. There were famous places within the territory of Ephraim. Shiloh was the location where the first tabernacle was set up. Tirzah was the city of Jeroboam and the palm tree where Deborah sat and presided as a judge was in Ephraim’s territory. Jacob’s well was also in this territory and it was where Jesus spoke to the woman in Samaria. The city of Ramah is the city of Arimathea in the New Testament. Joseph of Arimathea took care of Jesus’s burial.

 

So how is inheritance applicable to Christ followers today? The word inherit is used interchangeably in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. We are also heirs of God’s promise to Abraham which is now expanded to “the world.”  Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we children of God, heirs of the gift of eternal life. Jesus tells us the meek will inherit the earth. Jesus promises us peace that passes all understanding. Jesus promises us joy. Jesus promises to never leave us or forsake us. Jesus promises us strength. Jesus tells us to ask him for wisdom. Jesus promises to supply all our needs. Jesus promises us the power of the Holy Spirit. Are we living our daily lives as heirs, as children of the Most High God? Take some time to reflect on your inheritance and how you have seen evidence of it in your life.

Now think of someone you know who does not have this inheritance.

“I will strive to: GO and boldly share the Gospel!”