A portion. It is the Lord’s allotment to a man, a woman, or a child. To everyone Jehovah has appointed his portion. It is his piece of time and of the things of the world as that leads to his portion in the world to come, appointed to him in eternity. Oh, yes, one’s portion in this life cannot be understood apart from Jehovah’s portion appointed to him in the world that is to come. So as Jehovah determined the eternal destinies of men and women, so also according to that eternal purpose, he appoints them their portions in this life.

So the men of the world have their portions in this life. To some God appoints a large portion, and to others he appoints a small portion. To some he gives riches and honor. To others he gives trouble and sorrow. Some receive of God a superabundance of good things. Others are handed a piece of bread sufficient for the day. Some receive long life, and others are cut down in a few days. But Jehovah gives to each his portion for the time in which he labors under the sun. Then, casting men down into destruction, Jehovah appoints them their portion with the hypocrites, where there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. This is the portion of wicked men from God: the heavens shall reveal their iniquity, and the earth shall rise up against them; the increase of their houses shall depart, and their goods will flow away in the day of God’s wrath.

Each man of the world must be satisfied with his portion in this life, for this is all that he receives: to eat, to drink, and to be merry is his lot and afterward to be cast into everlasting darkness. Whether a man receives abundance or he receives poverty, it is a most miserable portion.

And Jehovah has even appointed to himself a portion. The Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of God’s inheritance. His peculiar possession, his delight, and the joy of his heart is his people, his beloved and elect Jacob! Israel is the rod of God’s inheritance!

And to Jacob God gives the most glorious portion: himself. Jacob is his elect church. God appoints himself in all his power and glory, in all his life and beauty, in all his grace and mercy as the portion of Jacob. God is not like the idols of gold and silver on which men rely. He is the former of all things. He is the ruler of all. He appointed all things, even the wicked for the day of evil. God made all things and sovereignly directs them to the end that he appoints. Jehovah of hosts is his name! And appointing himself as Jacob’s portion, Jehovah came to redeem his people, Jacob, and gave himself for them and for the salvation of their children at the cross of Christ!

And then, too, they have their portions in this life from Jehovah. Their portions here below—whether sickness or health, fruitful years or barren, riches or poverty—must be subservient to their salvation, for Jehovah of hosts is their portion.

And while men of the world must be satisfied with this life, those who receive Jehovah as their portion will behold his face in righteousness and will be satisfied, when they awake, with his likeness.