LESSON 1: Priestley Ministry of the Tribe of Levi

Everyone knows the Levites were one of the twelve tribes of Israel and were given duties in the service of the tabernacle (though only those of Aaron’s line were technically priests). The Levites had a violent history. This violent nature both lost them land in Israel and gained them the priesthood.

The 12 Tribes of Israel:

Jacob had twelve sons, and the land of Israel was divided among them creating the twelve tribes:

1. Reuben
2. Simeon
3. Ephraim
4. Judah
5. Dan
6. Naphtali
7. Gad
8. Asher
9. Issachur
10. Zebulun
11. Manasseh
12. Benjamin

Levi was not given land because his tribe was chosen to be priests with a special relationship with God instead of land. Since the tribe of Levi did not receive territorial inheritance, the tribe of Joseph was divided into two sections (Ephraim and Manasseh) to maintain 12 tribes. These 12 tribes united to form the nation of Israel, led by kings such as Saul, David, and Solomon.

Jacob’s son Levi in Genesis 34:

Dinah, Jacob’s daughter, was abducted and raped by Shechem, son of Hamor the Hivite. Simeon and Levi tricked the men of Shechem into circumcision, then attacked the city killing all males, including Shechem and Hamor, and rescued Dinah. Jacob rebuked them for arousing hostility, and on his deathbed he blessed Judah instead. Because of this violence, the Simeonites were scattered within Judah’s land while the Levites received no land.

The tribe of Levi in Exodus 32:

While Moses was receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, the people grew restless and asked Aaron to make gods. Aaron melted down gold earrings to make a calf idol. The people worshipped it, prompting God’s anger. Moses pleaded for mercy, but upon seeing the calf, he shattered the tablets and destroyed the idol. He then called the Levites to punish the offenders. About three thousand died, and God blessed the Levites.

This episode recalls Levi’s violent zeal, but here their righteous zeal earned them the priesthood. The Levites were chosen to serve God, replacing the firstborn sons of Israel. They led sacrifices and served at the Tabernacle and Temple, exempted from battle due to their duties.

What can we learn from the tribe of Levi / the Levites?

Unrestrained anger causes great sin and destruction. Anger without self-control is a poor counselor and should be confessed and managed godly. When we obey God, He blesses us as He blessed the Levites.