Levi

Levi

Jacob, whom God later renamed Israel, had 12 children. These 12 children and their descendants became known as the 12 Tribes of Israel.

Levi was Jacob's third son, born of Leah. Levi means joined. Leah named him Levi hoping that now her husband would be joined closer to her. Interestingly enough, joining people closer to God has become the life work of the tribe of Levi.

When Jacob was preparing to die, he called his sons to him. Of Levi he could not say anything good. Jacob stated "Levi, an instrument of cruelty. May mine honor not be united with them for in anger they slew a man, and in self-will tore down a wall. I will scatter them in Israel." Levi received these statements because when his sister Dinah was taken and raped by the prince of Shechem. Simeon and Levi deceived the people of Shechem into a false truce and then slaughtered all the men of the city.

This trait of vengeance and anger was also manifested in Moses, who was of the tribe of Levi. When Moses was in Egypt, he saw an Egyptian man hitting an Israelite man. Moses, in his own anger, killed the Egyptian. God had to allow Moses to be a shepherd in the wilderness for 40 years so that he could learn that our ways are not God's ways. God says that vengeance belongs to Him, not to us.

The tribe of Levi also learned to stay close to God and follow His directions. When Moses came down off the mountain with the Ten Commandments and found all the people worshipping a golden calf, he called out, "Who is on the Lord's side? Let him come unto me." The Bible records that the sons of Levi came to his side. They showed their repentance and stood on God's side during a crisis, when others were departing from the truth.

Moses, when he was about to die, placed the most wonderful blessing upon the tribe of Levi. God then turned Jacob's curse, which stated that they would be scattered in Israel, into a blessing. The Levites became the spiritual leaders and teachers, living scattered among all the other tribes.

Related Articles

More From Articles

Gideon

Gideon

The Angel of the Lord appeared to a Jewish man named Gideon. At first Gideon did not realize…
Gideon

Jehoshaphat

King Jehoshaphat was the 5th King after King David. Jehoshaphat sought the LORD and walked in…
Jehoshaphat

Jehoshaphat

King Jehoshaphat was the 5th King after King David.
Jehoshaphat

Caribbean Connections

The beautiful Bahamas. Stunningly clear turquoise waters; white sandy beaches; sunny days with…
Caribbean Connections

God's Name

What is God's name? Some say it is so sacred that it cannot be said. Some people say we must…
God's Name

Jericho

The city of Jericho is one of the oldest cities that we currently have records of. Jericho was…
Jericho

Sinning Animals

Many people may be under the impression that only humans were held accountable for their…
Sinning Animals
Elisha and Naaman

Elisha and Naaman

Naaman, an army commander of Syria, brought back a young Israelite girl to be a servant after…
Elisha and Naaman

Four in the Torah

There are a lot of sets of four in the Torah and below are just a few examples:
Four in the Torah

Just Because God Didn't Say It

“The daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of…
Just Because God Didn't Say It

We're on the Border

Just before crossing the Jordan River to claim the promised land of Canaan the Israelites…
We're on the Border

You Number My Wanderings

“You number my wanderings; put my tears into your bottle; are they not in your book?” Psalm…
You Number My Wanderings
Woman drinking water

Satisfying the Inner Thirst

A person in good health can live about 40 days without food, but only three days without water.…
Satisfying the Inner Thirst

Torah-Eve

I would say most people who have read the Torah probably know that Eve was the first person to…
Torah-Eve

Hezekiah

Hezekiah reigned as king of Judah for 29 years and he followed God. In his first month as king…
Hezekiah

Joash

Joash, who was only 7 when he became king, was the youngest king that ever reined in Jerusalem.…
Joash

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation