True Inheritance

“The inheritance of the children of Simeon was included in the share of the children of Judah, for the share of the children of Judah was too much for them. Therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of that people.” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭19‬:‭9‬ 
Israel assembled together at Shiloh which became the new center for worship where they set up the tabernacle of meeting, the ark of the covenant and the sacrificial altar. Shiloh in Joshua 18-19 refers to a location, but Jacob also prophetically uses Shiloh as the name for the coming messiah (Genesis 49:10), and Shiloh literally means rest. Only in a place of God's rest can we receive our true inheritance, least greed, envy and jealousy arise. "You shall not covet...anything that is your neighbor’s" (Exodus 20:17), the 10th commandment, is similar to the first commandment "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3) because covetousness (greed) is idolatry, making material things a god that meets our needs.

Paul commands the Elect, “Therefore, (because you have been raised with Christ verse 1) put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5). Paul places covetousness in pretty evil company in this text, because it is far worse, and far more prevalent than most realize. There is not much preaching on the 10th commandment because the American economic engine is based on using sophisticated marketing to stir envy and covetousness. We call it consumerism which is an economic theory that says progressively greater consumption of goods is economically beneficial. Consumerism and it's evil twin sister, materialism, values material possessions above all. It's motto of "He who dies with the most toys wins" is deadly to a vibrant spiritual life. Jesus sternly warned His disciples "...Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15).

It is interesting that the tribe of Simeon's inheritance was completely surrounded by the larger and stronger tribe of Judah. This symbiotic relationship between stronger and weaker tribes is a spiritual metaphor for unity and support within the community of believers. Just as Simeonites were surrounded and protected by the larger tribe of Judah, believers find their identity and strength in the greater body of Christ, emphasizing the importance of community and shared resources in faith. The entire purpose of our spiritual inheritance given by sovereign decree (casting of the lot) is to build up the body of Christ. Romans 15:1, "We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples (infirmities, failings, lack) of the weak, and not to please ourselves." The Bible uses the term spiritual gifts to describe our inheritance (Ephesians 4:7-11, 1 Corinthians 12:1-27) because they are meant to serve the receivers of the gifts, not to please the giver. Romans 12:10 ESV "...Outdo one another in showing honor (loving, giving)” is the opposite of consumerism in the world. May the Lord stir our hearts to generous giving and serving of the Elect today.