Bible Study Guides – Levi

July 14, 2013 – July 20, 2013

Key Text

“He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.” Malachi 3:3.

Study Help: Testimonies, vol. 9, 245–252; Ibid., vol. 3, 540–544.

Introduction

“In the case of [the] tribe [of Levi] … their fidelity of Jehovah when the other tribes apostatized, secured their appointment to the sacred service of the sanctuary, and thus the curse was changed into a blessing.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 236.

1 CEASE FROM ANGER

  • What did Leah declare when she gave birth to her third son? Genesis 29:34.

Note: The name Levi means joined, or attached to.

  • What denunciation did Jacob pronounce upon Levi? Genesis 49:5–7.
  • As we learned in our study of Simeon, what lesson can the Christian learn from the anger of Levi? Psalm 37:8; Proverbs 27:4, first part.

Note: “We must give others an example of not stopping at every trifling offense in order to vindicate our rights. We may expect that false reports will circulate about us; but if we follow a straight course, if we remain indifferent to these things, others will also be indifferent. Let us leave to God the care of our reputation. And thus, like sons and daughters of God, we shall show that we have self-control. We shall show that we are led by the Spirit of God, and that we are slow to anger. Slander can be lived down by our manner of living; it is not lived down by words of indignation.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 3, 1160, 1161.

2 CHARACTER FORMED AND TESTED

  • How was the character of the tribe of Levi manifested in a time of religious crisis? Exodus 32:1, 6, 9–11, 26–29. What does this teach us about true consecration to God?

Note: “Those who had not joined in the apostasy [at Sinai] were to take their position at the right of Moses; those who were guilty but repentant, at the left. The command was obeyed. It was found that the tribe of Levi had taken no part in the idolatrous worship.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 324.

“[Exodus 32:26–29 quoted.]

“Here Moses defines genuine consecration as obedience to God, to stand in vindication of the right and to show a readiness to carry out the purpose of God in the most unpleasant duties, showing that the claims of God are higher than the claims of friends or the lives of the nearest relatives. The sons of Levi consecrated themselves to God to execute His justice against crime and sin.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 301.

“It is the privilege of the watchmen on the walls of Zion to live so near to God, and to be so susceptible to the impressions of His Spirit, that He can work through them to tell men and women of their peril and point them to the place of safety. Faithfully are they to warn them of the sure result of transgression, and faithfully are they to safeguard the interests of the church. At no time may they relax their vigilance. Theirs is a work requiring the exercise of every faculty of the being. In trumpet tones their voices are to be lifted, and never are they to sound one wavering, uncertain note.” The Acts of the Apostles, 361.

  • Regarding the tribe of Levi, what factors changed Jacob’s denunciation (Genesis 49:5–7) into Moses’ commendation? Deuteronomy 33:8–11.

Note: “By divine direction the tribe of Levi was set apart for the service of the sanctuary. In the earliest times every man was the priest of his own household. In the days of Abraham the priesthood was regarded as the birthright of the eldest son. Now, instead of the first-born of all Israel, the Lord accepted the tribe of Levi for the work of the sanctuary. By this signal honor He manifested His approval of their fidelity, both in adhering to His service and in executing His judgments when Israel apostatized in the worship of the golden calf.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 350.

3 SOME NOTABLE LEVITES

  • Name one notable member of the tribe of Levi, and the individual who had been largely responsible for his strength of character. Exodus 2:1–10.

Note: “God had heard the mother’s [Moses’] prayers … . She faithfully improved her opportunity to educate her child for God. She felt confident that he had been preserved for some great work, and she knew that he must soon be given up to his royal mother, to be surrounded with influences that would tend to lead him away from God. All this rendered her more diligent and careful in his instruction than in that of her other children. …

“How far-reaching in its results was the influence of that one Hebrew woman, and she an exile and a slave! The whole future life of Moses, the great mission which he fulfilled as the leader of Israel, testifies to the importance of the work of the Christian mother. There is no other work that can equal this.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 243, 244.

  • How did Aaron, Moses’ brother, reveal his pliable nature? Exodus 32:21–25. Explain how he gained the victory over himself by demonstrating self-control, thus vindicating the honor of God. Leviticus 10:1–7.

Note: “Aaron [when fire from God’s presence destroyed Nadab and Abihu] bore his severe affliction with patience and humble submission. Sorrow and keen agony wrung his soul. He was convicted of his neglect of duty. … Aaron did not see, any more than many Christian parents now see, that his misplaced love and the indulgence of his children in wrong was preparing them for the certain displeasure of God and for His wrath to break forth upon them to their destruction.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 295.

“[Leviticus 10:6, 7, 3 quoted.] Aaron was silent. The death of his sons, cut down without warning, in so terrible a sin—a sin which he now saw to be the result of his own neglect of duty—wrung the father’s heart with anguish, but he gave his feelings no expression. By no manifestation of grief must he seem to sympathize with sin. The congregation must not be led to murmur against God.

“The Lord would teach His people to acknowledge the justice of His corrections, that others may fear.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 361.

4 SACRED TRUSTS

  • Explain how Jacob’s prophecy that Levi would be “scattered” (Genesis 49:7) was honorably fulfilled. Numbers 3:45; 18:20–24; Deuteronomy 10:8, 9.
  • Where were the Levites scattered, and what was their mission? II Chronicles 11:13; Leviticus 10:11.

Note: “The appointed ministers of the sanctuary, the Levites received no landed inheritance; they dwelt together in cities set apart for their use, and received their support from the tithes and the gifts and offerings devoted to God’s service.” Education, 148.

  • Give evidence to show how the tithing system remains in effect under the New Dispensation. Hebrews 7:4–8.

Note: “A very plain, definite message has been given to me for our people. I am bidden to tell them that they are making a mistake in applying the tithe to various objects which, though good in themselves, are not the object to which the Lord has said that the tithe should be applied. Those who make this use of the tithe are departing from the Lord’s arrangement. God will judge for these things.

“One reasons that the tithe may be applied to school purposes. Still others reason that canvassers and colporteurs should be supported from the tithe. But a great mistake is made when the tithe is drawn from the object for which it is to be used—the support of the ministers.” Testimonies, vol. 9, 248, 249.

  • After the rebellion of Jeroboam, how did the Levites become instrumental in joining the people together? II Chronicles 11:13, 14, 16, 17. Explain two New Testament applications of this principle. II Corinthians 5:18–20; Ephesians 4:1–3, 15, 16.

Note: “Christ the great Head of the church, has carried forward His work in the world by chosen ambassadors, through whom He speaks to the children of men, and ministers to their needs. The position of those who have been called of God to labor in word and doctrine for the upbuilding of His church, is one of grave responsibility. In Christ’s stead they are to beseech men and women to be reconciled to God; and they can fulfil their mission only as they receive wisdom and power from above.” Gospel Workers, 13.

5 REFINING THE “SONS OF LEVI”

  • What shows that even the Levites were often satisfied with a mere outward form of religion? Ezra 9:1; Malachi 2:8, 9; Luke 10:30–32.
  • Before the coming of the Lord, what work must be done also in behalf of those that are called the “sons of Levi”? Malachi 3:3. Describe the blessed result. Revelation 7:7, second part.

Note: “We should have a spirit of progress. We must guard continually against being fixed in our views, feelings, and actions. The work of God is onward. Reforms must be carried on, and we must take hold and help move on the car of reform. Energy, tempered with patience and ambition, and balanced by wisdom, is now needed by every Christian. The work of saving souls is yet left to us, the disciples of Christ. Not one of us is excused. Many have become dwarfed and stunted in their Christian life because of inaction. We should employ our time diligently while in this world. How earnestly should we improve every opportunity of doing good, of bringing others to a knowledge of the truth! Our motto should ever be, ‘Onward, higher,’ surely, steadily onward to duty and to victory. … This is the process, the refining, purifying process, which is to be carried on by the Lord of hosts. The work is most trying to the soul, but it is only through this process that the rubbish and defiling impurities can be removed. Our trials are all necessary to bring us close to our heavenly Father, in obedience to His will, that we may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 540, 541.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 What is the meaning and significance of the name “Levi”?

2 Narrate the experience of the golden calf at Sinai.

3 Explain the scattering of the Levites and the tithe question.

4 How were the Levites instrumental in joining together many of the children of Israel?

5 Explain the purpose and manner of God’s refining process.

Copyright © 2007 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.