“For the LORD's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:9).
We think of a portion as an individual serving of food, as one’s lot in life, or as the part of something that one receives, as in an inheritance. The word portion is found 100 times in the Bible, but this occurrence of the word in Scripture is unique. Deuteronomy 32 is a song that Moses wrote at the end of his ministry. The people of Israel were getting readyWe are important to God, and therefore, it is important how we serve Him. to cross over into Canaan and possess the land that God had promised to them. They had been commanded to pass down the land to their children, and their inheritance was very important to them. Each one would receive a portion of the inheritance. His plot of ground was his portion. Each of them must have been thinking about which portion he might receive. The portion was something each person really desired.
As we ponder the early history of the Jews’ practices concerning the inheritance, the message of this verse becomes even more compelling. God is the Creator of the universe. All things were made by Him. and all things belong to Him. Every part of the earth was designed and created by God. It all really belongs to Him. However, when He looks down at this world, He is not thinking about real estate. He is not focused on a plot of land. He has one special thing in mind—His people. He made all things, but all that He wants is His people. He wants His people to love Him. As children of God, we are God’s portion, we are His inheritance.
This verse underlines a truth that becomes evident when we consider the purpose of creation and the true meaning of man’s existence here on earth. God made man and allowed him to choose to obey or disobey in the matter of eating the fruit of one special tree. Why would God do that? He wanted to give man an opportunity to obey Him, hence to love Him. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). We exist to love the Lord and to be His people. We are His portion. We are important to God, and therefore, it is important how we serve Him.
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