Economists say “As goes Ford, so goes the nation. And just as Ford Motor Company is an indicator of America’s economic strength, so the Levites were an indicator of biblical Israel’s spiritual strength.
Taking a “helicopter” tour over the decades and centuries of Israel’s development, let’s spot check this group (the Levites) which was singled out by God to be His. Our focus will not be on the bloody, sacrificial duties or the praise part of their service but on the teaching aspect of the Levites’ ministry.
Levitical teaching was God’s design, and a lack of it brought His rebuke in Malachi 2:4ff.
…that my covenant with Levi may hold, says the LORD of hosts. My covenant with him was a covenant of life and wellbeing, which I gave him; this called for reverence, and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in integrity and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. But you have turned aside from the way, you have caused many to stumble by your instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts, and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you have not kept my ways but have shown partiality in your instruction. (NRSV)
CHRONOLOGICAL REVIEW OF UPS AND DOWNS OF LEVITES
(Scriptural quotes in NKJV unless otherwise stated.)
UNDER MOSES AND JOSHUA:
Levites chosen and duties spelled out. Things went smoothly till Joshua’s generation expired. Joshua 24:31
Every seven years, Levites were told to host a large, family Bible conference. Deuteronomy 21:9-13
UNDER JUDGES:
A Levite over a house of idols! Judges 17:12-13; perhaps Moses’ grandson was an idolatrous priest.
UNDER REHOBOAM:
Levites leave idolatrous Israel and migrate to Judah as spiritual refugees.
II Chronicles 11:13-14 And from all their territories the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel took their stand with him [Rehoboam]. For the Levites left their commonlands and their possessions and came to Judah and Jerusalem for Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them from serving as priests to the LORD.
UNDER ABIJAH:
II Chronicles 13:8ff – v. 9 Have you not cast out…the Levites? v. 10 – But as for us…the LORD is our God…and the Levites attend to their duties.
UNDER ASA:
II Chronicles 15:3 - For a long time Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law.
UNDER Jehosphaphat:
Levitical teaching brings peace.
II Chronicles 17:7-10 – Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders…and with them he sent Levites…so they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them; and they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people. And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.
UNDER ATHALIAH:
Levites help overthrow Athaliah, the tyrant and usurper of the throne. II Chronicle 23:1-21
UNDER JOASH:
Levites commanded to oversee temple repairs. Result: Worship restored (v. 14). II Chronicles 24:4-14
UNDER HEZEKIAH:
Teaching, praise, scriptural support, sacrifice, and national security restored. II Chronicles 30 and 31
II Chronicles 30:22a – And Hezekiah gave encouragement to all the Levites who taught the good knowledge of the LORD.
v. 30: 26 – So there was great joy in Jerusalem.
v. 30:27 – The priests, the Levites, arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard; and their prayer came up to His holy dwelling place, to heaven.
31:4 - …he [Hezekiah] commanded the people…to contribute support for the priests and the Levites, that they might devote themselves to the Law of the LORD.
UNDER JOSIAH:
Temple repaired; Passover and teaching restored. II Chronicles 34 and 35
35:3-5, 10 – Then he said to the Levites who taught all Israel, who were holy to the LORD: Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon…built….Now serve the LORD your God and His people Israel. v. 4 Prepare yourselves…v. 5 And stand in the holy place…v. 10…the priests stood in their places and the Levites in their divisions.
UNDER EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND MALACHI: (Post-Exilic Period)
Ezra 3:8-13 – Levites helped oversee the rebuilding of God’s temple.
Ezra 6:15-22 – Levites helped celebrate the dedication of the newly rebuilt temple.
Ezra 8:17-20 – Levites provided with helpers.
Ezra 8:30 – Levites helped guard temple treasures.
Nehemiah – Levites helped to comfort the people and to make the Law clear to them.
Nehemiah 8:7ff - …and the Levites helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. v. 11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.”
Nehemiah 10:10-13 – The once neglected Levites once again provided for.
Nehemiah 10:28-39 – Levites covenanted not to neglect God’s Law or God’s house.
Malachi 2 – Levites rebuked. (See p. 1)
INTER-TESTAMENTAL PERIOD:
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NEW TESTAMENT PERIOD:
Calloused Levite in Good Samaritan story.
Miscellaneous teaching scriptures found in Acts 15:35; 18:11; 19:9-10; I Timothy 4:13. Barnabas was a Levite (Acts 4:36).
Ephesians 4:7-11 – But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift…. He gave gifts to men…He Himself gave some to be…teachers.
If Jesus has given you the gift of teaching, it is no small gift. Speak as the oracle of God. I Peter 4:11 Just remember that teachers are held to a strict standard. James 3:1
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON LEVITES:
- Set apart to God for their response to sin. Exodus 32:26-28
- Appointed over the tabernacle. Numbers 1:47-54
- Substituted for Israel’s firstborn. Numbers 3:12-45
- Consecrated for the Lord’s service. Numbers 8:5-26
- Rebels forbidden the priesthood, told to be plain Levites, not priests. Numbers 16:9-10
- Assistants to priests. Numbers 18:2
- Cities assigned to them. Numbers 35-2-8; Joshua 14:3-4; I Chronicles 6:54-81
- Organized for temple service. I Chronicles 9:14-34; I Chronicles 23:1ff through 26:28