Living from this hour made whole in his power of this Master above being borne in his love

Way of the Source

11/16/2024

And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.

Genesis 34:25

Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.

3 And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts.

4 And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.

And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.

Numbers 35:2-4, 6

At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.

9 Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.

Deuteronomy 10:8-9

Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand:

But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto.

Deuteronomy 12:17-18

And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:

19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:

Deuteronomy 17:18-19

Then comes in Levi with his powers not hidden. You know, it's kind of funny, as you go through the months of the year what happens. Haven't you noticed how the powers are increasing it seems? The responsibilities thereof have grown haven't they along with their gravity. Sure, Levi got off to a rough start. He was most affected by the powers that lay hid in the land. When Dinah his sister went missing, whether willing or no, and later returned with her husband Levi was the most affected therein. He and Simeon both rose up one night and slew everyone of that city, regardless of position or place. What's worse about it, is these men had really wished to join with the brothers and so know the Lord. Mainly though, Dinah was what was wanted along with the power that lay in the land. That's not to say, it's not of the Lord. He made all things for sure. The expression of power though in itself isn't the issue. Rather, the men of that place along with Levi and Simeon had not learned to handle it well.

Levi's response in particular is more particularly angelic than all the rest. In times before, you might remember how that the Lord sent out his angel to destroy the people once they had sinned. It happened only a few times before his anger was purged. Regardless though, sin demands a cure and the consequences thereof as these things so often are severe. Thus, was Levi held before the Lord. His portion thereof, as part of the gateway of those having left their estate as at first, remains that of service as well. It is a tribe, particularly unique in having no other portion than God. Sometimes that's all that is needed, isn't it. As some have found, he's far better than having all seven sons. Levi, it hardly goes without saying, occupies a prominent place. These are meant to keep the house of the Lord. They serve him day and night there. Still though, the Lord rewards service to him well. You can talk about angel numbers all you please. There are forty-two cities to which they're given to keep watch over ones such as themselves and so to keep the Lord well. How much like Levi the charge is to keep him in all his ways lest he dash his foot against a stone. Then again, there's one other small matter which we've yet overlooked. The prodigal son's tale closely mirrors the Levite along with the elder brother as well. It's only that the prodigal son's journey took him a little farther away than he intended from home.