The book of Numbers ends with what Israel had hoped for when the Lord brought them out of Egypt: gaining an inheritance. The daughters of Zelophehad were graciously given the inheritance of their father (Numbers 27). And then a new question arose: What would happen to their property if they should marry a man from another tribe? Which tribe would inherit the land?

The Lord’s solution was that no inheritance should pass from one tribe to another. Each tribe was to retain the land that God had given. In this way, no family or tribe would lose their inheritance.

As we make our way through the wilderness of life, we have to remember that our inheritance is waiting for us. Eternal life with Christ is coming. Some of us will receive that sooner, and others will receive it later. But no matter how long we have to wait, our inheritance in Christ is sure. Jesus promises that no one can snatch us out of his hand (John 10:28). Paul tells us that the one who began a good work in us “will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

Like Israel, we find ourselves between deliverance and our final inheritance—between the cross and full life forever with God. But God is with us in the wilderness—now and always.