Levite's rebuke

[eraja]

In Genesis 49 Jacob says genesis :5“Simeon and Levi are brothers—their swords a are weapons of violence. 6Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased. 7Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel! I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel

Now before that jacob says Genesis 49:1“Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come." Indicating that the blessings and curses spoken by jacob in chapter 49 are prophetic instead of current.

the words of jacob warn us against the council and "joining" of their assembly

i find this odd considering the tribe of Levi is the tribe of the priesthood and they are the one who the covenant comes through.

i also find it extremely odd because the only tribe the warning is applicable to is the tribe of Levi as no other tribe is known for their council or assembly. however despite this warning, the Levites go on to lead the entire assembly of israel and all of israel ends up under the council of Levi in the priest hood and under moses who is also a levite.

now some people may think that jacobs warning only applies to Levi and simeon the individuals and only to that specific incident but this is not the case as ive already pointed out jacob declares that what he speaks to his sons is what will befall them in days to come in other words "future tense"

also there are other incidents of violence where Levi is concerned where we can see that jacobs warning was indeed valid. for instance, Moses a Levite kills an Egyptian man in his anger and hides the body deceptively. So we can clearly see that Jacobs warning is appicalble to later generations of Levi as well EVEN MOSES!

later under moses command the Levites slaughter 3000 other israelites who are their friends, brothers sisters etc.

Exodus 32:26 So he stood at the entrance to the camp and shouted, “All of you who are on the LORD’s side, come here and join me.” And all the Levites gathered around him.

27Moses told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Each of you, take your swords and go back and forth from one end of the camp to the other. Kill everyone—even your brothers, friends, and neighbors.” 28The Levites obeyed Moses’ command, and about 3,000 people died that day.

Here we can see in exodus 32:26 EXACTLY what jacob warned us about in genesis!!! ive never so much as even heard this touched on before! since jacob openly rebukes levi and his council and assembly how does he go on to lead the entire assembly of israel in the priesthood?

 

[Jo555]

In Genesis 49 Jacob says genesis :5“Simeon and Levi are brothers—their swords a are weapons of violence. 6Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased. 7Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel! I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel

Now before that jacob says Genesis 49:1“Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come." Indicating that the blessings and curses spoken by jacob in chapter 49 are prophetic instead of current.

the words of jacob warn us against the council and "joining" of their assembly

i find this odd considering the tribe of Levi is the tribe of the priesthood and they are the one who the covenant comes through.

i also find it extremely odd because the only tribe the warning is applicable to is the tribe of Levi as no other tribe is known for their council or assembly. however despite this warning, the Levites go on to lead the entire assembly of israel and all of israel ends up under the council of Levi in the priest hood and under moses who is also a levite.

now some people may think that jacobs warning only applies to Levi and simeon the individuals and only to that specific incident but this is not the case as ive already pointed out jacob declares that what he speaks to his sons is what will befall them in days to come in other words "future tense"

also there are other incidents of violence where Levi is concerned where we can see that jacobs warning was indeed valid. for instance, Moses a Levite kills an Egyptian man in his anger and hides the body deceptively. So we can clearly see that Jacobs warning is appicalble to later generations of Levi as well EVEN MOSES!

later under moses command the Levites slaughter 3000 other israelites who are their friends, brothers sisters etc.

Exodus 32:26 So he stood at the entrance to the camp and shouted, “All of you who are on the LORD’s side, come here and join me.” And all the Levites gathered around him.

27Moses told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Each of you, take your swords and go back and forth from one end of the camp to the other. Kill everyone—even your brothers, friends, and neighbors.” 28The Levites obeyed Moses’ command, and about 3,000 people died that day.

Here we can see in exodus 32:26 EXACTLY what jacob warned us about in genesis!!! ive never so much as even heard this touched on before! since jacob openly rebukes levi and his council and assembly how does he go on to lead the entire assembly of israel in the priesthood?

Maybe it's just me, but I'm struggling some with what you are struggling with.

Now that you have given what appears to be good reference point, can you give a summary of the issue you are having?

I think I understand some, but unsure. It reminds me of Moses giving the ten commandments to israel, then telling them they are going to fail at keeping it, but One is coming greater than him who will put it in their hearts ... Going by memory so do fact check me.

And if you recall, with the exception of a few, they didn't enter the promised land, including Moses, until all but.a handful of that generation had died due to their unbelief. If I recall correctly (need a refresher), Moses unbelief was striking the rock a second time.

The true priesthood was of faith, in the order of Melchizedek.

Helps to remember that the old covenant was a shadow of the new.

But not sure if I am understanding your issue with OP correctly, so hopefully others can be more help.

 

[eraja]

Maybe it's just me, but I'm struggling some with what you are struggling with.

Now that you have given what appears to be good reference point, can you give a summary of the issue you are having?

I think I understand some, but unsure. It reminds me of Moses giving the ten commandments to israel, then telling them they are going to fail at keeping it, but One is coming greater than him who will put it in their hearts ... Going by memory so do fact check me.

And if you recall, with the exception of a few, they didn't enter the promised land, including Moses, until all but.a handful of that generation had died due to their unbelief. If I recall correctly (need a refresher), Moses unbelief was striking the rock a second time.

The true priesthood was of faith, in the order of Melchizedek.

Helps to remember that the old covenant was a shadow of the new.

But not sure if I am understanding your issue with OP correctly, so hopefully others can be more help.

my issue is that Jacob speaks a rebuke against the council of Levi and his assembly but the entire assembly of israel is counseled by the tribe of Levi. we can see that what Jacob says about Levi being cruel and wrathful is true and all of the other prophetic words he speaks come true everything except what he says about Levi's council and assembly. If Levi is so cruel and wrathful and is openly rebuked by jacob, how are they the tribe of the priesthood

 

[Jo555]

my issue is that Jacob speaks a rebuke against the council of Levi and his assembly but the entire assembly of israel is counseled by the tribe of Levi. we can see that what Jacob says about Levi being cruel and wrathful is true and all of the other prophetic words he speaks come true everything except what he says about Levi's council and assembly. If Levi is so cruel and wrathful and is openly rebuked by jacob, how are they the tribe of the priesthood

I would have to revisit that account, but being sinful did not exempt someone from the promises of God. Remember, Esau was rejected and Jacob accepted before any of the two did anything wrong, and we remember what a thief and scoundrel Jacob was before God humbled him and he became Israel. He's still wasn't perfect of himself.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Why on earth is this in E&M?

 

[Jo555]

I would have to revisit that account, but being sinful did not exempt someone from the promises of God. Remember, Esau was rejected and Jacob accepted before any of the two did anything wrong, and we remember what a thief and scoundrel Jacob was before God humbled him and he became Israel. He's still wasn't perfect of himself.

Bible even says God chooses the foolish things to confound the wise.

He is intent that no flesh will boast for our goodness and righteousness is as filthy rags to Him.

Excuse my lack of bible reference. Running short on time, but Romans 3 is one.

 

[Jo555]

Why on earth is this in E&M?

Appears to be a new member. He, or she, probably made an innocent mistake.

 

[eraja]

I would have to revisit that account, but being sinful did not exempt someone from the promises of God. Remember, Esau was rejected and Jacob accepted before any of the two did anything wrong, and we remember what a thief and scoundrel Jacob was before God humbled him and he became Israel. He's still wasn't perfect of himself.

its not about them being exempt because of their sin but because of the prophetic word that jacob spoke against them. what is the significance of jacobs words? they dont seem arbitrary. Levi has many instances of violent actions. Jacob rebukes him but God chooses him for the priesthood? it doesnt add up

 

[eraja]

Why on earth is this in E&M?

where should i put it? i saw this was the only place non christians could post i put it here because i thought it concerned the ethics of the Levites

 

[Jo555]

Appears to be a new member. He, or she, probably made an innocent mistake.

Welcome Eraja. Yes, it may be more appropriate in the theological section. You will probably get great help there too. I'll look to stop in to see how it goes.

 

[eraja]

Welcome Eraja. Yes, it may be more appropriate in the theological section. You will probably get great help there too. I'll look to stop in to see how it goes.

im not Christian so i cant post in that section

 

[Jo555]

where should i put it? i saw this was the only place non christians could post i put it here because i thought it concerned the ethics of the Levites

I empathize. It can get confusing at times. You can always hit the report option and have a moderator look at it.

They are very helpful.
And remember, don't lose your joy through it all because at times things can get messy, beautiful mess we are.

 

[Jo555]

im not Christian so i cant post in that section

Then I'm stumped, but happy to see you are questioning the direction given you. None of us should blindly follow.

 

[Jo555]

its not about them being exempt because of their sin but because of the prophetic word that jacob spoke against them. what is the significance of jacobs words? they dont seem arbitrary. Levi has many instances of violent actions. Jacob rebukes him but God chooses him for the priesthood? it doesnt add up

The promise was made to Abraham. My answer would be the same, but it may take more elaboration. It's a whole theological discussion that can take more time than I can spare right now. And, appears the placement of this will be questioned so we'll see how it turns out.

Keep asking questions. I would say pray too but you don't believe in God so unsure how much you can appropriately understand, but you can give it a go as you should be able to grasp some, maybe even more than that, but it may still not make much sense to you.

 

[Jo555]

The promise was made to Abraham. My answer would be the same, but it may take more elaboration. It's a whole theological discussion that can take more time than I can spare right now. And, appears the placement of this will be questioned so we'll see how it turns out.

Keep asking questions. I would say pray too but you don't believe in God so unsure how much you can appropriately understand, but you can give it a go as you should be able to grasp some, maybe even more than that, but it may still not make much sense to you.

If you do believe in God, it should be ok there.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

ive never so much as even heard this touched on before!

That's because the modern church idolizes law observance. It is easier to control people if they follow the same rules.

 

[Jo555]

If you do believe in God, it should be ok there.

Lastly, for now. It used to bother me that Jacob was chosen over Esau, until I understood it from God's perspective and it makes perfect sense now, even so wonderfully wise. Keep asking, seeking, knocking ...

 

[Jo555]

I empathize. It can get confusing at times. You can always hit the report option and have a moderator look at it.

They are very helpful.
And remember, don't lose your joy through it all because at times things can get messy, beautiful mess we are.

Back to add this:

To live by a moral code and ethics is not how God created us to live. You cannot understand Him by a moral code, but it can clue you in some.

Ethics and morality are founded in the knowledge of good and evil, and trying to be like God apart from Him.

It was always in his plans for us to be like Him, but as children embodied by his Spirit through Christ.

Now we did eat of that fruit and now have a conscience awakened to good and evil, but we spiritually died when we decided to go at it apart from him so our partaking of the knowledge of good and evil is based in darkness.

You've been in Genesis so you know that first thing that happened when they declared their independence from God was that they realized they were naked, shame followed.

Anyway, due to the events in the garden we all now have a conscience awakened to the knowledge of good and evil, yet a believer in his journey grows in being led by the Spirit of God instead of conscience and a moral code.

When we grow in our intimate knowledge of Him and are perfected in his love, there is no reason for a moral code, laws, etc.

All that to say, you won't understand God if you are looking through the lens of morality and ethics. We need his Spirit, through Christ.

Morality and ethics is a faculty of the fallen, natural man, and he opposes God. He cannot understand Him either for His ways are not our ways.

And I realize you may not believe in God, but sharing that view, especially since it is a biblical question.

May help when you dive into the scriptures.

 

[Jo555]

Back to add this:

To live by a moral code and ethics is not how God created us to live. You cannot understand Him by a moral code, but it can clue you in some.

Ethics and morality are founded in the knowledge of good and evil, and trying to be like God apart from Him.

It was always in his plans for us to be like Him, but as children embodied by his Spirit through Christ.

Now we did eat of that fruit and now have a conscience awakened to good and evil, but we spiritually died when we decided to go at it apart from him so our partaking of the knowledge of good and evil is based in darkness.

You've been in Genesis so you know that first thing that happened when they declared their independence from God was that they realized they were naked, shame followed.

Anyway, due to the events in the garden we all now have a conscience awakened to the knowledge of good and evil, yet a believer in his journey grows in being led by the Spirit of God instead of conscience and a moral code.

When we grow in our intimate knowledge of Him and are perfected in his love, there is no reason for a moral code, laws, etc.

All that to say, you won't understand God if you are looking through the lens of morality and ethics. We need his Spirit, through Christ.

Morality and ethics is a faculty of the fallen, natural man, and he opposes God. He cannot understand Him either for His ways are not our ways.

And I realize you may not believe in God, but sharing that view, especially since it is a biblical question.

May help when you dive into the scriptures.

I should also add that when I say partaking of the knowledge of good and evil, I'm speaking of being led by it; allowing it to dictate our lives and lead us.

Knowledge of itself, like everything else, is neither good or evil in itself. And, God can use knowledge to help us too. Yet everything is just a branch and a branch has no life of its own so it will either wither and die, or find life in God (light), or apart from him in the self life (darkness).

I apologize for going on, but felt it important to elaborate on whai i mean when i mention " partake".

I can be very detailed and at times it just doesn't feel right to stop short.

So not saying you cannot come to know God by scripture if you are truly asking, knocking, seeking, but you won't more fully know Him until you are equipped with his Spirit and learn to walk with Him, becoming intimately acquainted with Him.

And don't know if that makes sense to you, but I'll see about returning to your original post.

 

[Jo555]

In my bible study this morning thought this may be of assistance to you

Galatians 3
Hebrews 7, 8, +