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Today’s passage is from 1st Chronicles 6, which outlines the descendants of Levi. Before diving into what stood out most to me, let me point out a couple things of interest. This genealogy gives greater attention to the line of Eleazar than to Ithamar. You might recall that Aaron’s first two sons were struck down for their disobedience, and it was Eleazar’s line that continued as the legitimate priestly line. I noticed this as I was looking for a familiar name… Eli. There’s no mention of Eli—Samuel’s predecessor—because, as I realized, he descended from Ithamar.

Also, take note of verses 37 and 39, where we see the names of the sons of Korah and the sons of Asaph—musicians in David’s court. We just finished reading many of their Psalms over the past few days. It continues to amaze me how God can redeem the most unlikely candidate, even after what seems like a rebellion one could not recover from. I bring this up because genealogies like this aren’t “boring”—they’re filled with meaningful reminders of the encouragement we've discovered from our faithful study of Scripture.

But what really got my attention today was the contrast between the tribes of Levi and Simeon from chapter four. Both received a curse from their father Jacob on his deathbed in Genesis 49:6–7,

“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.”

True to Jacob’s words—and God’s faithfulness—Simeon and Levi were scattered throughout Israel. But what’s remarkable is how that “curse” was ultimately transformed into a blessing for Levi.

Remember, Levi and Simeon fell from favor after their violent and impulsive revenge on the city of Shechem in response to their sister’s rape. Yet, Levi’s curse-to-blessing transformation came in another violent response of revenge—this time in defense of God’s holiness. In Exodus 32:26–29, when Moses descended from Sinai to find the people worshiping a golden calf, he declared,

“‘Who is on the Lord’s side? Come to me.’ All the sons of Levi gathered to him. And he said to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel, <Put your sword on your side each of you>’ … And the sons of Levi did as Moses commanded. That day, about three thousand people died. Then Moses said, ‘Today you have been ordained for the service of the Lord... so that He might bestow a blessing upon you this day.’”

Levi lost favor by taking vengeance for their sister's dishonor, and they regained favor by zealously defending God’s holiness. The difference? They acted in obedience to God, not their own anger.

Simeon’s descendants fade into the background of Scripture. But Levi’s line is elevated, becoming Israel’s priests. Their inheritance wasn’t land—it was the Lord Himself.

And that makes me pause. I’m so grateful for the calling God has placed on my life. To serve Him full-time, to be anchored in relationship with Him—this is far better than any earthly reward. Land fades. Security crumbles. But to inherit the Lord? That is everything.

Takeaway: Even the most broken legacies aren’t beyond God’s reach to transform. When we surrender in obedience—especially when it costs us—we’re placing our lives in His hands to transform into something far better than we deserve… and something we’ll never stop being thankful for.