Deuteronomy 33:7-11: a reflection

7This is for Judah. He said, “Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah. Bring him in to his people. With his hands he contended for himself. You shall be a help against his adversaries.” 8About Levi he said, “Your Thummim and your Urim are with your godly one, whom you proved at Massah, with whom you contended at the waters of Meribah. 9He said of his father, and of his mother, ‘I have not seen him.’ He didn’t acknowledge his brothers, nor did he know his own children; for they have observed your word, and keep your covenant. 10They shall teach Jacob your ordinances, and Israel your law. They shall put incense before you, and whole burnt offering on your altar. 11LORD, bless his skills. Accept the work of his hands. Strike through the hips of those who rise up against him, of those who hate him, that they not rise again.”

In Moses' blessing on the tribes, the blessing on Levi recalls a costly loyalty. At a time of testing, the Levites had held to God's covenant even above their natural ties, not sparing even their own kin when loyalty to God required it; they observed God's word and kept his covenant. And for this devotion, Levi was given a high calling: to teach God's law to his people and to minister at his altar. Their putting God first, even above family, is remembered and blessed.

Notice what Levi was blessed for: holding to God's covenant even above the closest natural ties. There are times when loyalty to God comes into conflict with our other loyalties, even our dearest ones; and Levi, in such a moment, chose God. This did not mean despising family, but it meant that when the two conflicted, God came first. And out of that supreme loyalty to God flowed Levi's calling to teach and minister; the tribe that put God first was entrusted with his word.

That speaks to the place God is to hold in our own loyalties. God calls for our supreme loyalty, above every other, even our closest and dearest ties. This does not mean loving our families less than we ought, but it means that when a loyalty conflicts with our loyalty to God, God comes first. Examine whether God holds that supreme place in your heart, above every other loyalty, or whether other ties would win out if they conflicted with him. Give God the first place, above all other loyalties, as Levi did; let nothing, however dear, come before your loyalty to him. The one who puts God first, even above the closest ties, is the one God can entrust with his work.

Lord, in Moses' blessing, Levi was honored for holding to your covenant even above the closest natural ties, choosing you when loyalty to you required it, and was given the calling to teach your law and minister at your altar. Speak to me about the place you are to hold in my loyalties. You call for my supreme loyalty, above every other, even my closest and dearest ties. This does not mean loving my family less than I ought, but that when a loyalty conflicts with my loyalty to you, you come first. Examine whether you hold that supreme place in my heart, above every other loyalty, or whether other ties would win out if they conflicted with you. Help me give you the first place, above all other loyalties, as Levi did; let nothing, however dear, come before my loyalty to you. The one who puts you first, even above the closest ties, is the one you can entrust with your work. Have the first place in my heart, Lord.