Genesis 49:7, I will scatter/divide them. For Simeon, this prophecy was fulfilled in that they had an inheritance both in the area Judah and among the region of northern tribes.
For Levi’s part, his descendants were given the priesthood and were scattered in 48 cities throughout Israel (Num 35:7).
YHVH put this tribe’s passion against evil to good use. Levi’s vengeful anger against Shechem for raping Dinah (Gen 38) was excessive and outside the bounds of Torah-law.
However, this passion for righteousness and justice became further evident as Levi’s descendants were the ones who stood up against the rebellious Israelites at the golden calf. Moses used this tribe to execute YHVH’s judgment against the golden calf worshippers (Exod 32:25–29). This time, Levi acted in accordance to and within the bounds of the Torah as prescribed by Moses. For this, they were granted the priesthood and as such, were scattered throughout Israel (in fulfillment of Jacob’s prophecy) to better accomplish their duties. They became responsible for teaching Israel YHVH’s Torah and for acting as judges of the law (Deut 33:10; 24:8; Lev 24:10–11).
The beauty of this story is that YHVH can take the flawed character traits or misguided and even carnal passions of an individual or of a family or a society and redeem them by redirecting them along righteous lines in accordance with Torah principles.
Zeal and passion are wonderful character attributes, but they need to be channeled in the right direction.
To the Laodiceans in Revelation YHVH said he would rather they be hot or cold in their passions (Rev 3:15–16). He had no use for lukewarmness, which is apathy. One who is cold or dead is waiting to be awakened spiritually. One who is hot with passion already simply needs direction. One who is lukewarm doesn’t even care enough to go one way or the other.
These glasses look absolutely so refreshing.Looking @ the picture makes me want to taste some. Speaks to me of Summer season.
I’m reminded of verses in LUKE CHAPTER 1 Verse 15: TALKING RE JOHN THE BAPTIST. FOR HE SHALL BE GREAT IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, AND SHALL DRINK NEITHER WINE NOR STRONG DRINK; AND HE SHALL BE FILLED WITH THE RUACH HA KODESH, EVEN FROM HIS MOTHERS WOMB…( mother Elizabeth.)
Only this week I have been teaching my boys re the importance of this teaching. John was a forerunner to YESHUA so he could not be contaminated by strong drink that would corrupt his body, soul & spirit..he was set apart for a mighty ministry. So he was not given over to the unclean thing. That’s how I see it. Our bodies are meant to be temples of the RUACH set apart spirit so how can he ( YESHUA) come into our bodies & dwell with something that is given over to strong drink..I don’t think he can.
So as for me & my ( our) house I ( we) will serve the Lord…I reinforce this teaching to my boys against worldly pursuits & strong drink which I think leads ( can lead ) to death.
Thank you Natan for posting this lovely picture of Lemonade. … Wonderful lesson & teaching from Luke Chapter 1 ; so appropriate u have posted these 2 glasses of lemonade as I was teaching this to my boys this week.
Shalom CC.
additionally meant to comment re Natans main points re Laodiceans….Hot can be refreshing like steam bath, cold is refreshing also..but lukewarm is neither.
so Yeshua is so clear about what he will do to the Lukewarm ….that is rather serious & scary…. being spued out of his mouth….
Yes, the HOLY CREATOR can take the lowest and transform it into the highest.
I.E. From the lowest place on earth (both in sea level and moral depravity) HE took a remnant out of Sodom and used it for the Messiah’s matrilineage. (Ruth, the Moabitess)