Reading

• Num. 26:1-65

Devotional

GOD told Moses and Eleazar, the priest, to count the men from each tribe who were over 20 years old. There were 601,730 total men in this number. Afterward, GOD said to Moses:

To these the land shall be divided as an inheritance, according to the number of names. To a large tribe you shall give a larger inheritance, and to a small tribe you shall give a smaller inheritance. Each shall be given its inheritance according to those who were numbered of them. But the land shall be divided by lot; they shall inherit according to the names of the tribes of their fathers. According to the lot their inheritance shall be divided between the larger and the smaller.
(Num. 26:53-56 NKJV)

Plans were finally in place to divide the Promised Land to the descendants of Abraham, hundreds of years after GOD promised it to Abraham. No doubt anticipation was high among the people. Finally they were going to receive a rest from their wanderings!

Like the Israelites, GOD has promised us an inheritance and rest. But unlike Israel, our inheritance is spiritual in nature and our rest is complete and satisfying. The following promises are found in the New Testament:

So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
(Acts 20:32 NKJV)

And for this reason [Jesus] is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
(Heb. 9:15 NKJV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you…
(1 Pet. 1:3-4 NKJV)

Jesus said:

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
(Matt. 11:28-29 NKJV)

Our inheritance is a home in heaven with GOD—the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, where we will be free from all of the things that plague us in this life. There will be no sorrow, crying, death or sin in heaven. Therefore rejoice, for the inheritance we have is great indeed!