When the Israelites made a golden calf at Mount Sinai and worshiped it, the tribe of Levi rallied to God's side and avenged him of the evildoers (Exodus 32:19-28). Later, when the Israelites fornicated with the daughters of Midian, Aaron's grandson Phinehas avenged God of the evil (Numbers 25:1-18). Because of their righteous zeal, God chose the tribe of Levi to be his priests and teachers to the rest of Israel's tribes. The Levites were consecrated to God's service to minister in the Tabernacle during Israel's wilderness wandering and afterwards in Solomon's temple at Jerusalem (Numbers 1:50-53; 8:6-26; Deuteronomy 18:1-7; 1 Chronicles 9:14-34).
The special relationship the Levites had with Israel's God crystallized into a covenant of life and peace: "'You know I sent this commandment to you that my covenant might be with Levi,' says Jehovah of Hosts. 'My covenant with him was of life and peace, and these I gave him on account of the fear with which he feared me and his fear of my presence. The law of truth was in his mouth and iniquity wasn't found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and equity and turned many away from transgression. For the priest's lips should harbor knowledge that they should seek the law at his mouth, for he is the messenger of Jehovah of Hosts'" (Malachi 2:4-7).
See more here and here
Study more in-depth
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please post a comment!