I am married to a very methodical man. He gets up at the same time 7 days a week. His calendar includes scheduling time for the week, month and year. He has an obsession with evernote. Our children have learned that the best way to get their dad to respond to a request is to e-mail him. He needs appointments and tasks set in a linear fashion. He sends me Google calendar invitations for date night. He has a 10, 20 and 50-year plan. He thrives on organization and gets juiced over pleasant lines.
He and I have both been studying the Old Testament this year. Where most of us are prone to skim over Levitical law, genealogies and land boundaries, he appreciates the methodical and clerical nature of these lists and lines.
In my study of Genesis this year, I also picked up an appreciation for the importance of boundaries, lists and plans. I’m most reflective at the finish line, and the ending of Genesis touched me. Genesis ends in Egypt with the death of Jacob (49:33) and Joseph (50:26); the last request from both men was to be buried in the promised land of Canaan. Jacob and Joseph understood and highly valued their promised inheritance. They held the promise of their inheritance in such high regard that it determined how they lived. God was clear about promising the land of Canaan to their ancestor, Abraham. God shows Abraham the boundary lines to the Promised Land in Genesis 13:
And the Lord said to Abram, “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.” Genesis 13:14-15 (NKJV).
Abraham’s grandson, Jacob cherished the promise of his inheritance and needed to be encouraged and pushed by God to leave Canaan when he learned that his long, lost, beloved son, Joseph was alive in Egypt:
“So He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again. ”Genesis 46:3-4 (NKJV)
God was very clear about establishing an inheritance for His chosen and special people. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph highly valued this promise. They believed God and continued to not waver in their belief when the circumstances of their lives threatened their security and understanding. Their hope and their foundation were secure because they took God at His word.
God is very clear about our inheritance. He promises eternal life with Jesus for all of His chosen and beloved children. He has established the path and set the lines in place for our inheritance. His testimony is that our sins are forgiven if our faith is in Him. He testifies that we are cherished and protected, no matter what craziness threatens our circumstances. He promises victory. He is coming back. His promises are clearly written out so that we can be sure and so that we can be encouraged by His clear and organized plan. He has given us life and He helps us maintain it for His glory. Understanding the promise of our inheritance should engineer how we conduct our lives. Y’all, we are so richly blessed. Rejoice in our inheritance! Celebrate our promised and pleasant lines.
“O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.” Psalm 16:5-6 (NKJV)
“Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.” Psalm 119:111 (NKJV)