From curse to blessing Week6, 2013

Without doubt sin brings with it terrible consequences. Some sins can be seen to affect family lines for generations. One such example is the family of Levi. I refer to the patriarch Levi, son of Jacob, not the New Testament Levi son of Alphaeus. Do you recall what wrong he did? I’ll show you. Three days later, when the men were still sore from their circumcision, two of Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi, the brothers of Dinah, took their swords, went into the city without arousing suspicion, and killed all the men Gen 34:25(GNB). They did this to avenge their sister’s rape. Jacob lamented their actions and nothing more was heard of this until his dying day when he pronounced blessings on his sons. Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel Gen 49:5, 7(ESV). This consequence as a result of their father’s pronouncement definitely would seem a great disadvantage. Just like many of us believe we have inherited disadvantages from our ancestors; curses we can do nothing but succumb to. If you think that way consider what happened to the tribe of Levi at the foot of the Mount Sinai when the Israelites worshiped the golden calf. Upon Moses’ return he stood at the gate of the camp and shouted, "Everyone who is on the LORD's side come over here!" So all the Levites gathered around him Ex 32:26(GNB). They obeyed his instructions and by that consecrated themselves to the Lord. God had chosen them as priests and temple workers. Tithes were to be paid to them and their scattering in Israel now was to enable them teach their brothers the laws of God. At the time of death Moses blessed them. And of Levi he said, "Give to Levi your Thummim, and your Urim to your godly one… For they observed your word and kept your covenant. They shall teach Jacob your rules and Israel your law; they shall put incense before you and whole burnt offerings on your altar. Bless, O LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands; crush the loins of his adversaries, of those who hate him, that they rise not again Dt 33:8-11(ESV). What was a curse now became a blessing and tool for service. The point is this: what stronger curse than that of a patriarch, a father at the point of death do you know? Yet consecration and obedience to the Lord saw that curse turn into a blessing years after the object of cursing and the pronouncer of the curse had passed on. Do you feel your family is cursed? Consecrate yourself to the Lord, for even that will be turned to blessings in Jesus’ name.