Read Genesis 49:5-7 – Simeon and Levi are brothers; instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place. Let not my soul enter their council; let not my honor be united to their assembly; for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self-will they hamstrung an ox. 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. (NKJV)
As Jacob is pronouncing “blessings” over his twelve sons, he makes some excellent statements about how one chooses to live. A few of his sons proved to be treacherous, selfish men and Jacob doesn’t sugarcoat his observations. With his words, he accurately paints the future consequences of such behaviors, and warns us to stay clear of a few of his boys. To his second and third sons (Simeon and Levi), he says that he doesn’t want to be connected with their chosen lifestyles. In verse 6, he determines not to choose their paths but to stay on the course he knows is right for his own life. That same critical choice is ours to make. Living a selfless life of sacrifice and love for our families isn’t the choice everyone around us will make. So Jacob decides that he doesn’t want to go where they’re headed so he has to stay clear of the decisions they make or their “counsel.” Good advice for us. Be careful who you’re following ‘cause you’ll end up where they are headed.
– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.
National Men’s Leadership Conference: March 8-10, 2012 . Dallas, Texas . www.men.ag.org
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