Humanity loves reward. The thought of impending delight is motivating. Our hearts and bodies are invigorated to press on longer and push in deeper to gain the awaiting prize. This begins at a young age with children obeying to achieve their promised positive reinforcement and continues with employees working toward their promised incentives and bonuses.
But what if the reward to work were more work? “Hey!” you’d say, “That’s not fair! The reward of my work should be payment... or at least rest!” The Levites were promised a reward for their work. In Numbers 18:20 the LORD said to Aaron,
“You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel.”
This is a powerful picture of how satisfying God is. He is better than a portion of land. He Himself is their reward. But in Joshua 13:14, we read further,
“To the tribe of Levi alone Moses gave no inheritance. The offerings by fire to the LORD God of Israel are their inheritance, as he said to him.”
This is where the reward seems to go awry. The Levites work day and night for the Lord. Then what do they get? They receive the “reward” of serving God by sacrificing burnt offerings. Their reward for their work is more work. What makes their work a reward?
