“Let every man put his sword on his side, and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbor” (Ex. 32:27b).
The Lord commissioned the Levites to serve Him by killing their brothers, by slaying those who had participated in the making and worshiping of the golden calf even though they were close relations and dear friends. The Levites, however, were only to slay those whom they found in the open, for it might be hoped that those who had returned to their tents were ashamed of what they had done and were upon their knees repenting. But those who insisted on continuing to run wildly in the midst of the camp just as they had done when Moses returned from the mount were doomed to die. This is the way it is with all who persist in their sin—they are headed for ruin because they are not ashamed of their moral failures (Jer. 8:12).
How did the Levites find the courage to kill their brethren? First of all, God commanded it. But secondly, they were on the Lord’s side. Because there is no such thing as neutrality, they were opposed to those who stood against the Lord. Jesus made this point when He said that He came to bring a sword, turning mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, and father against son. If we are going to stand on the Lord’s side, we need to expect division, even in our families.
God consecrated the Levites to serve Him, and so they were set apart from the others to execute His will and to receive blessing. The Levites were to assist in the offering of sacrifices to God, and they began their service by offering these sacrifices in honor of divine justice. Matthew Henry comments that those who minister about holy things must be, not only sincere and serious, but also warm and zealous, bold and courageous, for God and godliness. Thus, all Christians, but especially ministers, must prefer the service of Christ and His interests far more than pleasing their nearest and dearest relations, for, if we love our family more than Christ, we are not worthy of Him.
This passage, like that of Numbers 25:1–9 wherein Phinehas kills his brethren, is hard. It shows the radical nature of the Christian life. It means standing against those whom we call brothers and friends for the sake of Christ’s name. This is a great price to pay, but Christ has promised that those who forsake friends and family in this life will receive a hundred-fold in the life to come.
What is the cost of following Jesus? What might this mean regarding your nearest relations and closest friends? Of course, this does not give us license to assault our brethren physically, but it does mean that there may be division from those who do not believe in Him. Pray today for your unbelieving relations.
