Get A Job?

Moses did not assign any allotment of land to the tribe of Levi. Instead, as the LORD had promised them, their allotment came from the offerings burned on the altar to the LORD, the God of Israel. [Joshua 13.14]

Interestingly enough, the Levites did have livestock. What it appears they did not have was land to plant and harvest crops.

It remains unknown to me why the Levites would not be allowed to own land for crops, but could still maintain flocks and herds of livestock.

Perhaps it is because livestock was considered along the same lines of necessity for living as, say, a house. Maybe 'crops' were seen as more of a job (in contemporary terms).

Or, perhaps it is because livestock would have been necessary for sacrifices for the Levites.

It does not appear the Levites' livestock was necessary for food because the Levites received portions of the animal sacrifices made on the altar of the Tabernacle.

I guess the important thing is that the Levites' lives were God's - for His purpose in the service of the Tabernacle. As much as livestock would seem to require time and labor, I suppose it is not nearly so much as maintaining land and raising crops. We can't fully understand the time and labor facets of life during the time this instruction is written using contemporary time and labor understanding. We must consider that life was much more physical in the days of this instruction. The 8 to 5 (or 8 hours) mentality we mostly share in the USA would have been just as foreign to the people of history as their work practices are to us.

Bottom line: Those in full-time service to God should be supported by their service to God (which is largely service to people).

Father, help me to not look light-heartedly at the role of the Levites during the time of Moses, Joshua and the times following. Help me to remain aware of the necessity of spiritual leaders and their service to Your people and to be generous toward them for their service.