Simeon and Levi

The Blessings of Jacob for his sons  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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What are typical sources of an angry reaction in people in general?
What causes you to get angry?
As we continue looking at the blessings of Jacob for his children, we come to a pair of brothers who have a reputation of being hot heads.
Here is Jacob’s blessing for Simeon and Levi:
Genesis 49:5–7 ESV
5 “Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords. 6 Let my soul come not into their council; O my glory, be not joined to their company. For in their anger they killed men, and in their willfulness they hamstrung oxen. 7 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.
These are the 2nd and 3rd sons of Leah.
Based on your knowledge of them, what prompted Jacob to “bless” them this way?
they massacred the men of Shechem after their sister Dinah was defiled (Gen. 34) - their reaction was extreme - as they lured the people into a covenant and seemed to be ok with marriage -but then killed all the men when they were recovering form circumcision.
How does Jacob personally receive their actions?
he does not want his reputation/glory to be affiliated with them.
He does not want to heed their council.
What does Jacob say will happen to them in the future?
they will be divided and scattered
How is that exhibited?
The tribe of Simeon gets land taken from within the territory of Judah (Josh 19:1-9)
The Levites are given 48 cities throughout Israel - while they retain some influence in the nation - they are limited from becoming dominant.
How is our society like Simeon and Levi
quick tempered
deceptive
mixing religious zeal with vitriol.
What lessons can we learn from their lives and the “blessing” they receive?
How should we pray in light of this?
that our anger would remain in check and would not compromise our witness
that our descendants would learn and exhibit grace and patience in the ways that they respond to angering triggers.
ESVSB

Jacob’s pronouncement regarding Simeon and Levi centers on their violent disposition. Undoubtedly, this relates back to their treatment of the men of Shechem whom they massacred on account of the humiliation of their sister Dinah (ch. 34). Distancing himself from their fierce anger and cruel wrath, Jacob indicates that their descendants will be scattered throughout the other tribes (49:7). As a result, their strength will be dissipated, preventing them from bringing destruction on Israel. In fulfillment of this, the Levites (whose inheritance will be their ministry at the sanctuary) receive 48 cities distributed throughout all the tribal areas (Num. 18:23–24; 35:1–8; Josh. 21:1–45) and the Simeonites obtain land within the territory taken by Judah (Josh. 19:1–9). These arrangements prevented either tribe from dominating the rest.

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