AT MOSES’ call, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” the sons of Levi immediately responded and gathered around him. “And he said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.”
Moses made them prove that they cared more for God’s glory than for their nearest relatives. “And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.”
It was a very painful and searching trial; they were called to put away every claim of nature. And the Lord often tests His people in this way. If we are going to serve the Lord we must be willing to be faithful. We must not draw back from following Him on account of someone near and dear to us. Trueheartedness and obedience at all cost are the claims of the Lord’s love upon us. Sometimes this may mean the breaking of a tie of nature — but it is the only path of blessing and honor to the Lord.
No doubt the sons of Levi were not very popular in the camp of Israel, but the Lord honored them abundantly, and to have His approval is what really counts. Levi we are told said, as it were, to “his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed Thy word, and kept Thy covenant.” Deut. 33:99Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant. (Deuteronomy 33:9).
It was at the word of Moses that the Levites armed themselves and went out against their brethren. Yet we know that Moses loved the people more than anyone else in the camp did. His was a faithful love, a love stronger than death. He who loved them thus showed his horror of the leprosy, or sin, that had broken out among them. He felt that this evil must be rooted out and banished from among them at all cost.
As Christians now in this dispensation it is not for us to take the sword as Levi did, but we are called to wield the “sword of the Spirit,” which is the Word of God. Let us ask ourselves the question, Have we used the Sword as we should? Have we spoken the Word of God faithfully to our relatives? Have we spoken about Christ to our companions and friends and warned them of judgment to come? Have we kept back our sword, as it were, in order to keep our friendship with them? Have our neighbors heard from us the way of salvation? These are searching questions for each one of us, but fitting for those who profess to be on the Lord’s side.
What is greatly needed today is devotedness for Christ who is worthy of our ALL. May we be more faithful and use the “sword of the Spirit” more often, for God’s glory and for the blessing of others.
ML-02/14/1971