Portions and Food
Hearing the word “portion” typically calls to mind eating. Merriam Webster defines the term as “enough food especially of one kind to serve one person at one meal.” Portion sizes have increased over the years leading to some facing weight problems.
This issue has given rise to the concept of portion control. The idea is a healthy-eating strategy allowing people to eat almost any food while at the same time controlling their calorie intake.
To have portion control, the diner must not eat more than their allotted amount. While the idea is a good one, in practice it often fails. For example, people simply aren’t going to be satisfied with a diet portion of chocolate cake; they will unsurprisingly want more.
Portion Used in Bible Verses
The word “portion” appears in Bible verses, but its use is not in relation to food. In Psalm 119:57, David proclaims: “You are my portion, Lord; I have promised to obey your words.” The prophet Jeremiah states in Lamentation 3:24, “I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’”
If it’s not food, what are David and Jeremiah referring to when they use the word “portion”? The basic concept is the same. The Hebrew word for “portion” has to do with part of something which is divided. Rather than food, however, the thing being divided is land or property. The word is sometimes translated as inheritance. A family inheritance was of great importance in Hebrew society.
Portions and the Promised Land
The inheritance referred to in these Old Testament verses goes back to entry into the Promised Land when God allotted land to Israel. All the tribes of Israel received a portion of the land except for the priestly tribe of Levi as Deuteronomy 10:9 establishes. Even though the Levites had no portion of land from God, they did have a portion. God promised He would be their portion and take care of their needs.
Inheritance for Exiles
Jeremiah, the generally accepted author of Lamentations, lived long after the Israelites entered the Promised Land. In fact, conquerors had removed God’s people from the Promised Land, forcing them into exile. Living in a land which was not their own, how could they have an inheritance?
Despite the difficulties of being in exile, God’s people could trust in the Lord. He served as their portion and inheritance. Because of this great inheritance, they could continue in hope during their present trials.
New Testament Portion
The concept of portion, arising from the judicial system’s allotment of land and inheritance, appears in a familiar New Testament story. When the prodigal son asked his father for his (advance) share of the property in Luke 15:12, his request was for his “portion.” Note that the portion came from his father, just as the Israelites received their portions of the Promised Land from their Heavenly Father.
Is A Portion Just Land?
Although land is a concrete example of what God can provide as a portion, a portion from Him constitutes so much more. He is a believer’s allotment in life, the all-sufficient source for all their needs. As Jeremiah concluded, satisfaction comes from finding one’s portion in the Lord.
And God’s portion is not limited to the present. Matthew 25:34 states the inheritance He provides is the kingdom of God, with all its blessings, both now and in the future. Our sufficiency is from God, and His grace is sufficient for us. 2 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 12:9
Perfect Portion
With God as a believer’s portion, he needs nothing else. Controlled portions of food may leave a desire for more, but that is not the case with God. He provides the best inheritance there is. As David recognized, God is a believer’s strength and portion forever. We don’t need anything beyond that perfect portion.
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