1 Chronicles 6

And now to the genealogy of the Levites—by far, the most respected tribe in all of Israel. The high calling God had placed on the descendants of Levi and the immense privileges they were given in serving in the presence of God at the temple cemented their position as the most distinguished tribe in Israel.

And, as is so often the case, where God is doing great things, Satan is trying to mess it up. Is it any wonder that this particular tribe was riddled with corruption and greed? It seems that—throughout the entire Old Testament history of Israel—there was always a problem with the high priest or what the priests were allowing in the temple. Given the calling on their lives, they should have been some of the most upright, devout people in Israel. Instead, they were often the worst.

Here’s what I thought was interesting about this genealogy. It begins with the sons of Aaron (at least that’s where the priesthood began), who came out of bondage in Egypt. Aaron’s first two sons—Nadab and Abihu—weren’t very old before they died as a result of their disrespect in the temple. So, the job of high priest fell to Eleazar and his descendants. Eleazar had come out of bondage in Egypt. And, by the time we get to the end of the genealogy in 1 Chronicles 6, we arrive at Jozadak—who entered into bondage in Babylon.

The Levites ended up right back where they started—in bondage. Of course, this was simply a physical outgrowth of the spiritual bondage they were in. And it’s still amazing to me that the Levites would find themselves in that position.It’s really true that God doesn’t brainwash us. Even when He has called us to such high privilege, we’re still free to go our own way. We’re free to take the privileges and blessings He has given us and misuse and abuse them. Even when He has called us out of bondage into freedom, we are left free to head right back to bondage.

The one thing God will never take away from us is our freedom. He doesn’t brainwash us!