Inheritance in the Old Testament

​

Inheritance basically means property or other possessions received by an heir. In the Old Testament the inheritance promised by Jehovah to Abraham and his descendants was the land of Canaan (Gen.12:7; 15:18-21; 26:3; 28:13; Exod.6:8). This inheritance was the gift of Jehovah to the nation Israel, but they had to enter into it and possess it with hard fighting (Josh.21:43-45; Psa.44:3). It was a promised possession.

 

The Old Testament also teaches that God Himself is the inheritance of His people. The Levites, in contrast to the rest of the nation, were to have no inheritance in the land, for the Lord Himself is their inheritance (Deut. 10:9; 14:27; 18:2). The Lord is the portion of the inheritance of His people (Psa. 16:5; 73:26; 119:57; 142:5). In the LXX, the word translated “portion” is kleros (lot, portion, inheritance).

​

Thus, the Old Testament teaches two kinds of “inheritance” – the promised possession of the land as the inheritance, and God Himself as the inheritance of His people.

 

Inheritance in the New Testament

​

In the New Testament also inheritance is possessions and blessings promised to believers under the New Covenant. The inheritance is generally related to the possession of salvation and entrance into the family of God through new birth (Eph.1:11, 14; Colo.1:12). The object of the inheritance is the kingdom of God. The believer’s inheritance is “imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God…….” (1 Peter 1:4-5). The inheritance is kept for us and we are kept for the inheritance.

​

The word “inheritance” (kleronomia) is used 14 times in the New Testament. On careful examination, it becomes evident that the concept of “inheritance” is used in two ways in the NT – Inheritance as our birthright by virtue of our sonship, our privilege, and part of the comprehensive blessings of salvation. But in several other places in the Scriptures, inheritance denotes rewards (and not gifts) received on condition of obedience to God’s Word and faithfulness in service.

 

Consider the following verses in their context:

​

- 1 Peter 3:9: “...that you may inherit a blessing.”

 

- James 2:5: “….heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him.”

 

- 2 Thess. 1:4 - 5: “……that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which you also suffer.”

 

- 1 Peter 4:13 and 2 Tim 2:12:  Partaking in some of the privileges of the kingdom are for those who suffer for Christ.

 

- Rev.2:26; 3:21: The “overcomers” are promised special privileges in the Millennial Kingdom (I do not support the view that all believers are “overcomers” in the promise passages to “overcomers” in Rev.2-3). The reward for obeying Christ is authority over the nations. They will also sit with Christ on His throne. Our entrance into the Kingdom is assured forever by the blood of Christ. But our inheritance and privileges will be determined by the degree of faithfulness with which we serve the King here and now. The judgment seat of Christ (1 Cor.3:11-15; 2 Cor.5:10) will determine what inheritance right we have in the Kingdom.

 

- Rev.21:6-7: “I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.” But verse 7 states, it is the “overcomers” who will inherit all things. “He who overcomes shall inherit all things.” The “thirsty” shall live by the free gift of eternal life through faith. But the “hungry “shall inherit the Kingdom blessings through their faithful service to the King.

 

- Matt.25:34: “…inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”  This is a promise to those who have shown kindness to the “brethren” of the Lord in their distress. Inheritance is a reward for their service to “My brethren” (Matt.25:40).

 

- Acts 20:32: “Now I commend you to God and the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”  It seems that the inheritance comes as result of being built up (edified, strengthened, resulting in spiritual growth and maturity). The agency God uses for the maturing process is the Word of God (1 Peter 2:2). To be mature, one has to obey the word and abide in the word.

 

- 2 Peter 1:11: An abundant entrance (rich welcome) into the kingdom is promised to those who are committed to godly living; those who diligently add spiritual qualities to their faith (2 Peter 1: 5-11).

​

- 1 John 2:28: Though this verse does not refer to inheritance or kingdom rewards, it points to the possibility of being ashamed before the Lord at His coming. “…..abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him (NASB: “not shrink away from Him in shame”) at His coming. Christians are “accepted” in Christ, but we may not be in an “acceptable” (does not suggest the loss of salvation) condition, like a child playing in the mud coming to his/her father. Live everyday on high alert, prepared and ready to meet the Lord. “Confidence” is the word parresia which signifies a bold freedom of speech (see its usage in 3:21; 4:17; 5:14). Abide in Him, maintain constant fellowship with the Lord, and enjoy a genuine boldness when they would meet the Lord. The “shame” is the divine disapproval at the judgment seat of Christ, resulting in the loss of the inheritance reward in the kingdom.

 

- Heb.12:17: Esau was rejected when he wanted to inherit the blessings for he found no place for repentance. This is a warning by the writer of the Hebrews to his readers not to yield to transitory pressures and forfeit their inheritance.

 

- Heb.3-4 has a lot to say about “inheritance” and “rest.” The rest is related to the full possession of their inheritance; it is “inheritance - rest” (We will reserve this topic for another study). Permanent possession of the Promised Land was the hope of their inheritance. Rest would be achieved only when they entered Canaan and took ownership of their inheritance. Through unbelief most of them missed it and hence the warnings in Hebrews. “Those who inherit salvation” (Heb.1:14) also may be a reference to the inheritance reward which is a prominent idea in the mind of the author of Hebrews.

 

The frequent reference to the metochoi, “partakers,” “companions,” or “sharers” (Heb.3:1, 14; 12:8) denotes the idea of the “companions” of the Messiah who will share in the Millennial blessings and inheritance. Esau is an example of those who willfully sin and forfeit the inheritance (Heb.12:17).

​

Summary & Conclusion

​

In the OT and the NT there are two kinds of inheritance. Our primary focus was on the nature of the inheritance in relation to the New Testament believers. One aspect our inheritance refers to the comprehensive blessings of salvation which is the birth-inheritance of all believers in Christ. This inheritance is ours by virtue of our sonship in the family of God.

​

However, there is another kind of inheritance which may be called reward – inheritance. This inheritance is enjoyed on condition of faithfulness and obedience in Christian life. This is reserved for “overcomers,” and “winners” in the race. This aspect of the inheritance is a part of our reward and primarily related to the participation and involvement in the Millennial Kingdom. Even in the OT, the promised inheritance had to be obtained through obedience and perseverance. Only those believers who have “a different spirit and who follow the Lord wholeheartedly would obtain the inheritance” (Num.14:24; Josh.14:9). In the same way, though the reward -inheritance is potentially ours, we will only obtain it through faithfulness and obedience, and the possibility remains that many believers may forfeit this inheritance.

May the Lord keep us faithful, humble, obedient and committed to His Kingdom agenda, so that we may inherit the special blessings in the Kingdom and be the “companions” of the Messiah in His glorious reign.

​

“He who overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be His God and he will be my son” (Rev.21:7).