Deu 33:10 | KingComments | STEP | In the blessing that Moses pronounces of Levi, we are reminded of a priestly people, a people who know God’s will and can teach God’s people about it. The Thummim and Urim speak of this. These are the two stones that the high priest wears in the breastpiece and through which he consults the will of God ( ). Levi is prepared for this task. Here it is said that God put him to the test at Massah and Meribah. Exodus 17 states that Israel has put God to the test ( ). There is no water. That is God’s test to see how the people react. The people blame God for His actions and even doubt His presence among them. As part of the people Levi got there to know himself. These tests are a training for Levi to receive light from God. If later the people again become unfaithful as a whole, Levi remains faithful. They have killed the unfaithful by order of Moses ( ). In exercising their judgment, they have made no distinction between those who are and those who are not family members ( ; ). This is a further education to be a suitable teacher of the people. A person is only suitable to teach God’s Word if that Word has absolute authority over and for himself. As a reward for his faithfulness Levi has been given the honorable commission to teach God’s law to the people ( ; ). Someone so formed in the practice of living among God’s people, may go into the sanctuary. Through the education they have received themselves, and also pass on, they are able and also desiring to bring incense and burnt offerings. In the realm of peace, nothing will be able to put an end to this service. Incense is a picture of the glories of Christ that are pleasing to God. We may tell God all that we have discovered of the glories in Christ. Incense also refers to the prayer of the believers ( ; ), to which Christ adds the glory of His Person through which those prayers are pleasing to God ( ). Moses proclaims God’s blessing for such a people of priests and Levites. What they do can count on God’s full consent and acceptance. Moses also asks the LORD to protect Levi from their enemies by shattering the loins of those who stand up against them to attack them. The loins symbolize power and strength ( ; ; ). All who want to do wrong to Levi will not prosper.

‏ Deuteronomy 33:10

Levi

In the blessing that Moses pronounces of Levi, we are reminded of a priestly people, a people who know God’s will and can teach God’s people about it. The Thummim and Urim speak of this. These are the two stones that the high priest wears in the breastpiece and through which he consults the will of God (Exo 28:30).

Levi is prepared for this task. Here it is said that God put him to the test at Massah and Meribah. Exodus 17 states that Israel has put God to the test (Exo 17:7). There is no water. That is God’s test to see how the people react. The people blame God for His actions and even doubt His presence among them.

As part of the people Levi got there to know himself. These tests are a training for Levi to receive light from God. If later the people again become unfaithful as a whole, Levi remains faithful. They have killed the unfaithful by order of Moses (Exo 32:26-29). In exercising their judgment, they have made no distinction between those who are and those who are not family members (Mt 10:37; Lk 14:26).

This is a further education to be a suitable teacher of the people. A person is only suitable to teach God’s Word if that Word has absolute authority over and for himself. As a reward for his faithfulness Levi has been given the honorable commission to teach God’s law to the people (2Chr 17:8-9; Mal 2:4-7).

Someone so formed in the practice of living among God’s people, may go into the sanctuary. Through the education they have received themselves, and also pass on, they are able and also desiring to bring incense and burnt offerings. In the realm of peace, nothing will be able to put an end to this service.

Incense is a picture of the glories of Christ that are pleasing to God. We may tell God all that we have discovered of the glories in Christ. Incense also refers to the prayer of the believers (Rev 5:8b; Psa 141:2), to which Christ adds the glory of His Person through which those prayers are pleasing to God (Rev 8:3-4).

Moses proclaims God’s blessing for such a people of priests and Levites. What they do can count on God’s full consent and acceptance. Moses also asks the LORD to protect Levi from their enemies by shattering the loins of those who stand up against them to attack them. The loins symbolize power and strength (Psa 69:23; Job 40:2; Pro 31:17). All who want to do wrong to Levi will not prosper.