All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the Lord, them have I given thee. Numbers 18:12
How would you like to have been a Levite in ancient Israel? This tribe was different from the other tribes in some major ways. When the land of Canaan was divided up into separate provinces for each tribe, there was no province for the tribe of Levi. Instead, they were given cities to live in within the other tribes’ provinces. They were not given farmland on which to grow crops. Instead, they were to receive food offerings from the members of the other tribes. They did not till land or work at trades. Instead, they devoted themselves to the work of the Lord, serving in the tabernacle and later in the temple. Their inheritance was not property, it was the right to service. As our text declares, they were to be well paid.
Today, the counterpart of the Levite during this day of grace is the Christian. While the rest of the world labours and is heavy laden, the Christian has been given the yoke of Christ, which is easy and whose burden is light. While the rest of the world has only the temporary possession of a few bits of property, the Christian has the assurance of an eternal mansion in Glory. While the rest of the world can do no better than practice their religions, the Christian can worship and serve the Lord in spirit and in truth. We have by far the best in this world and in the world to come.
The oil, wine, and wheat of which the Levite was to receive the very best have special meaning for us today. Oil in the Scriptures speaks of the Holy Spirit. He indwells each true believer, providing us with comfort, protection, guidance, and purpose. Wine in the Scriptures speaks of joy. In a world saturated with sorrow and struggles, the child of God has the joy of our salvation, rejoicing in sins forgiven, peace with God, heaven assured, so much more. Wheat or grain in the Scriptures speaks of provision. While God has not promised to flood us with riches and possessions, He has promised to always meet our needs, relieving us from the greatest worry of the world.
The special place that God had for the Levites in Israel was just a small picture of the special place that God has for His children today in this world. He has brought us into all the best of the oil wine, and wheat of His blessings. – Jim MacIntosh