Fri.’s Devo - The Levites

Read: 1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81; Acts 26:1-32; Psalm 6:1-10; Proverbs 18:20-21 The tribes east of the Jordan formed their own army and worked together to drive out the inhabitants of their land. They prospered as long as they put their faith in God but after a while they took up the gods of the nations around them. God sent King Pul of Assyria to invade their land and take them as captives. Levi had three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Aaron, Moses and Miriam came from the clan of Kohath. The lead musician, Heman was also from the clan of Kohath. His first assistant was Asaph from the clan of Gershon and his second assistant was Ethan from the clan of Merari. Only Aaron and his descendants served as priest and offered offerings on the altars. The Kohath’s were given cities in the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim and the half tribe of Manasseh on the west side of the Jordan. The clan of Gershon was given towns in the territories of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali and Manasseh on the east side of the Jordan. The clan of Merari was given towns in Reuben Gad, and Zebulan.. Levites were given cities in Simeon also but Dan is not mentioned. Dan means “to judge” and it was much like Judas Iscariot was in the 12 disciples. Dan is not mentioned in Revelation 7 when it talks about the sealed ones from each of the tribes. Joseph was mentioned in Dan’s place. In Acts, Agrippa gave Paul permission to state his defense. Paul began by commenting that he was glad it was Agrippa trying his case since he was very knowledgeable about the Jewish laws. Then Paul gave his own educational credentials which were very impressive. He stated that he was on trial because of the fulfillment of God’s promises made by their ancestors, so why does it seem so incredible that God could raise the dead? Then Paul told his personal testimony of how God appeared to him and spoke to him on the way to Damascus. God told him that he would rescue him from his own people and the Gentiles, but he was to take his message to the Gentiles. They would receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people who believe in God. Paul had been obeying that commission ever since. Festus yelled that Paul was insane and all his studying had made him crazy. Paul defended himself and said he was not crazy and Agrippa should know that. He asked Agrippa if he believed the prophets. Agrippa became defensive and asked him if he thought he could persuade him to become a Christian so quickly. Paul said he prayed that all of them would become a Christian and experience the freedom he had, except for his chains. All the officers got up to leave. They all agreed that Paul had not committed a crime and if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar, they could have set him free. Lord, the truth does set us free. Thank you that no matter what happens in the world around us, we are free in our spirits to worship you. Our hope is not on this earth but our hope is in You.