Birthright Through Redemption

I never used to think about inheriting anything.

And I’m sure that’s because I never had to want for the necessities of life growing up. But even as a young adult, the hope of inheriting a vast fortune never really crossed my mind. I suppose that was a good thing, because it never happened.

As a result, I spent the better part of my life pursuing wealth from the variety of methods at my disposal, resolving to make the most from what I could accumulate while it lasted.

So it’s no wonder any references to “inheriting” or “becoming an heir” recorded in the Bible went right over my head. Besides that, my attitude about somebody inheriting something was often built around negative character roles depicted by news media and movie productions. An heir was usually portrayed as an undeserving parasite, often a prisoner to his circumstances.

This false understanding likely prevented me from correctly understanding the significance of what it meant to be an heir in the minds of the Biblical authors. Oddly enough though, they never attempted to define exactly what inheritance was. Their focus was always about who was destined to eventually receive it.

So what’s the Biblical understanding of being an heir?

It happens that the words often translated as “inherit” in the Hebrew manuscripts are יָרַשׁ [yarash] or יָרֵשׁ [yaresh], meaning to take possession of, inherit, dispossess, and נָחַל [nachal], meaning to get or take as a possession. The word translated as “inherit” in the Greek manuscripts is κληρονομέω [klā-rôn-ô-mêō], meaning to receive, gain possession of, share in, or be given something. These all agree somewhat with the current day meaning listed in the Merriam Webster Dictionary:

INHERIT: to get [a personal quality, interest, etc.] because of the influence or example of your parents or other relatives [emphasis mine]

Historically, the criteria for determining who was to be the heir of an estate was vested in blood lines or as an act of generosity in behalf of a benefactor. Furthermore, any prerogative for the benefactor to nullify the arrangement was both legitimate and binding.

Continued lineage and prosperity are intrinsic ambitions of the human male. The Lord first promised these to the man Abraham because of the belief he demonstrated to Him through obedience. So, it’s no coincidence that God also inspired the authors of the Bible to portray sharing in promised wealth as a paradigm for the deserving children in His “family.”

And most cultures today have adopted a similar standard for the sensible and equitable transfer of assets from one generation to the next. But the real value of being an heir is not realized simply by its designation, but through its eventual materialization. And whether or not a man acquires the title of heir by natural birth through the efforts of his Earthly father, or through the miracle of his Heavenly Father [that is, through redemption], the anticipated outcome of the one making the investiture is identical.

[What does “redemption” mean? see: Different fruit, same good news.]

Either is confident that his [or His] influence will be a determining factor toward the goal of his [or His] beneficence. However, both history and the Biblical record are replete with examples of an heir actually having to forfeit what has been bequeathed to him as a result of disregarding the influence of his father [or Father].

Nevertheless, many of God’s people today are convinced that merely being His heir somehow guarantees the realization of their inheritance.

But the Bible says no such thing.

The conditions for actually acquiring and experiencing God’s inheritance are neither vague nor disputable concepts. The apostle Paul’s letter to the saints who [were] at Ephesus and who [were] faithful in Christ Jesus confirmed that the hope of inheriting what was promised to their ancestor, Abraham, was still a reality:

“(I pray that) the eyes of your heart(s) have been enlightened, so that you know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance among the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who are believing.” (Eph. 1:18-19) [my emphasis]

This passage clearly defines the goal of a saint’s [or faithful disciple of Christ] redemption by God. Paul obviously recognized their need for being brought up to speed [or enlightened] concerning the blessings of their newfound birthright.

[What was the promise given to Abraham? see: It’s All About Also.]

Paul’s letter to the called saints in Rome helps bring clarity to the meaning of inheritance —and, specifically, co-inheritance with Christ. He also confirms the significance of what was a familiar Palestinian understanding of sonship, a term which signified the primary legitimate heir to a father’s wealth:

“So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you shall live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these…they are sons of God.” (Rom. 8:12-14) (my emphasis]

His choice of the Greek word υἱός [(whee-ôs) son, descendant, offspring, heir] used with the Genitive Case in this sentence suggests a category of people who share a special relationship with or a likeness to someone or something, as in a disciple or follower.

At this point, Paul seems to be leading into a point he makes later in the same chapter. The faithful heirs of God shall inherit together with the Firstborn of many brothers [Rom. 8:29]:

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and If children, also heirs, heirs indeed of God, and co-heirs with Christ, if it is true that we do suffer with Him in order that we might also be exalted together.” (Rom. 8:16-17) [my emphasis]

The word translated as “exalted together,” συνδοξάζω [(soon-dox-sáws-oh) to be glorified with, share glory with] is recorded in the Greek Subjunctive Mood in this sentence, suggesting the potential for actualization rather than the certainty of it.

So if there were ever a concept for the Lord’s people to get their heads around, this is the one.

Understanding what inheritance is isn’t rocket science. The faithful bond-servant of Jesus Christ inherently knows that the very best God has to offer him demands the very best he himself can give.

He doesn’t want to lose it.