Last week, we looked at part of Moses' blessing he bestowed on the tribe of Judah. This week, let's look at it in its entirety:
“Your Thummim and Urim belong to your faithful servant. You tested him at Massah; you contended with him at the waters of Meribah. He said of his father and mother, ‘I have no regard for them.' He did not recognize his brothers or acknowledge his own children, but he watched over your word and guarded your covenant. He teaches your precepts to Jacob and your law to Israel. He offers incense before you and whole burnt offerings on your altar. Bless all his skills, Lord, and be pleased with the work of his hands. Strike down those who rise against him, his foes till they rise no more" (Deuteronomy 33:8-11).
A Levite wasn't called into a Levitical ministry; they were born into it. In a sense, that was their family business and they were to carry on the tradition in accordance with God's requirements. In modern families, this can be carried too far when parents insist children follow in their family's footsteps or work in the family business. But there are situations where that is normal and appropriate.
What talents or skills does your family have? What trades or careers have they pursued? What talents have your family members have? Could those answers hold clues to your purpose in life? It could be that God doesn't want you to follow your family's tradition, or perhaps He does. And if He does, you will do it in a style and creativity that is consistent with who He made you to be.
The point this week is to seek God's will and not automatically assume it is His will or assume that it isn't. Or maybe it's His will for you to start a family business that is cross-generational. As you seek your purpose, don't overlook the obvious that God put you in your family for a reason so that you can carry on a purpose that was established before you were even born.
Comments