Levi was the third son of Jacob by Leah (Genesis 29:34). When the family of Jacob settled in Egypt for more than four hundred years, this tribe brought forth Moses and his elder brother Aaron (Exodus 2:1-2). During the forty years of wandering in the desert, Moses had the support of his tribesmen. Therefore when the Israelites divided up Canaan, Joshua followed the instruction of Moses to order the eleven tribes to support the Levites. Probably the Levites settled all over Canaan in different tribes and were given the tithe, i.e. one tenth of the produce of the land. From this bare information, we gain the impression that the Levites did not own any land. But was it true? No. We need to read more.
I was always puzzled by the story of Barnabas. Here are the puzzling lines.
Thus Joseph who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,
sold a field which belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet (Acts 4:36-37).
Why did Barnabas, a Levite, own a field? Were Levites not supposed to own any land? Wrong! A search with the key words "Levite" and "field" yields three entries: 2 Chronicles 31:19, Nehemiah 12:44, 13:10. The last one confirmed that Levites owned fields after the Babylonian exile.
I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them; so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had fled each to his field(Nehemiah 13:10).
Due to the mismanagement of the Temple by Eliashib the priest, the tithe for the Levites were neglected and they had to flee each to his field to earn his living. Of course, the situation was rectified by Nehemiah. But how did this ownership of field come about? We need to go all the way back to Moses.
The LORD said to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho,
"Command the people of Israel, that they give to the Levites, from the inheritance of their possession, cities to dwell in; and you shall give to the Levites pasture lands round about the cities." (Numbers 35:1-2)
Therefore, the Levites were given cities to dwell in and pasture lands round about the cities. Joshua carried out this command.
The cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the people of Israel were in all forty-eight cities with their pasture lands (Joshua 21:41)
Therefore, the Levites were given 48 cities with their pasture lands after the Israelites had entered Canaan. A lot of events had taken place before the age of the Apostles. Yet, the Levites were always entitled to own land. The impression that Levites did not own any land is wrong and it is the result of not reading enough Bible.
Thus Joseph who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,
sold a field which belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet (Acts 4:36-37).
Why did Barnabas, a Levite, own a field? Were Levites not supposed to own any land? Wrong! A search with the key words "Levite" and "field" yields three entries: 2 Chronicles 31:19, Nehemiah 12:44, 13:10. The last one confirmed that Levites owned fields after the Babylonian exile.
I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them; so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had fled each to his field(Nehemiah 13:10).
Due to the mismanagement of the Temple by Eliashib the priest, the tithe for the Levites were neglected and they had to flee each to his field to earn his living. Of course, the situation was rectified by Nehemiah. But how did this ownership of field come about? We need to go all the way back to Moses.
The LORD said to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho,
"Command the people of Israel, that they give to the Levites, from the inheritance of their possession, cities to dwell in; and you shall give to the Levites pasture lands round about the cities." (Numbers 35:1-2)
Therefore, the Levites were given cities to dwell in and pasture lands round about the cities. Joshua carried out this command.
The cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the people of Israel were in all forty-eight cities with their pasture lands (Joshua 21:41)
Therefore, the Levites were given 48 cities with their pasture lands after the Israelites had entered Canaan. A lot of events had taken place before the age of the Apostles. Yet, the Levites were always entitled to own land. The impression that Levites did not own any land is wrong and it is the result of not reading enough Bible.
Priests dedicate their life for the service of God and His people. They deserve to be supported by God's people, following the Levite model. However, life on earth has evolved from being simple agricultural to complex industrial. The Church has grown from a simple community to a complex hierarchy. During the Apostolic age, believers could sell their property and lay the proceeds at the feet of the Apostles to distribute according to the need of each.
Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common (Acts 4:32).
But it lasted only for a short while in Jerusalem before the persecutions from the Jewish authority. Since then, this communist way of life was no more. Priests have to find ways to fend for themselves in this modern age.
Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common (Acts 4:32).
But it lasted only for a short while in Jerusalem before the persecutions from the Jewish authority. Since then, this communist way of life was no more. Priests have to find ways to fend for themselves in this modern age.
Dear Lord, You teach us to lead a life of spiritual poverty. We rely on Your providence. You will provide (Genesis 22:8). Amen.
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