Realized that in the previous chapter the first verse reads, "The lot of the tribe of the people of Benjamin according to its clans came up...." In other words, Benjamin is the first chosen to receive land.
Verse 9, "Because the portion of the people of Judah was too large for them, the people of Simeon obtained an inheritance in the midst of their inheritance." How fair and considerate.
Verse 33, "And their boundary ran from Heleph, from the oak in Zaanannim...." Important tree!
Verse 49, "When they had finished distributing the several territories of the land as inheritances, the people of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun. By command of the Lord they gave him the city that he asked...." Special treatment for their leaders. First Caleb, then Joshua. Jesus tells his disciples that Godly leaders are not to lord their power over others, and Caleb and especially Joshua do not. But at the same time it looks like, after they have run the race, their obedience is recognized. A special inheritance is provided for those that take on the extra burden of watching over the people.
I'm in ministry for a variety of reasons, not one of which is a typical "worldly" reward. I'm not in it for the money, for the schedule, for the ease. If anything most other jobs out there, in my opinion, would pay more, require fewer hours, and be less stressful. I'm also not in it for any "eternal" rewards, at least if we're talking about special heavenly jewelry or more square feet in heaven. Somehow those things just don't seem to be all that important.
But if we're talking about smiling faces in eternity, if we're talking about the knowledge that life was well spent, if we're talking about knowing that I was working alongside God in his mission, that's an inheritance I will gladly fight for.
Thinking about my calling to minister to others, it helps to stay the course when I know that this will all be worth it one day.
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