Levi

sermon by Rusty Owens

Leah conceived again and gave birth to yet another son and she said, “Now my husband will be joined unto me.” (Gen. 29:34) And she called the child’s name Levi. The word Levi in the Hebrew language means to be attached or joined.

Of coarse the Levites were the tribe that became attached to God. But Leah is speaking prophetically that her husband will now become attached to her. This is the appropriate picture, because the term here is being applied as it pertains to the covenant relationship between a man and a woman, not to a business partner. And when Christ calls us to become associates (Levi), it is on this level of relationship He is calling us; to be His bride not His business partner.

The word Levi is derived from the Hebrew root word lawvaw, which means Union. Paul said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking in reference to Christ and his church.” Eph. 5:31-32.

The word “joined” is an interesting Greek word that means “to glue to”. They shall become one flesh is the mystery. How powerful, how deep is this mystery, that us and Christ are to become one flesh.

The call of Levi is ever present with us that we are separated unto God. (Num. 8:14). A kingdom of priest. (Exo. 19:6, Rev. 1:6). Heirs and joint heirs. (Rom.8:17).

The original union came about when Adam needed a help “meet.” Someone to be with him, work side by side with him, and multiply with him. Our union with Christ procures a similar effect. What man out there married your wife because you wanted cheap labor or you needed somebody to work for you so you got married. Highly unlikely. Probably your primary desire was for a companion. Child bearing and co-laborer probably weren’t on your short list. God caused everything that He had made to pass before Adam. Whatever Adam called it that was it’s name, but for Adam there was not found a “suitable” helper. (Gen. 2:20 NASB). So the Lord made Adam someone from his own flesh and bone. When Adam saw what the Lord had made he said, “Bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman.” (Gen. 2:23 NASB). In Genesis 2:22 it says the Lord took Adam’s rib and “fashioned” it into a woman. The word “fashioned” is the Hebrew word banah. He literally built woman from man. As it was in creation so it is in recreation. The LORD has taken the Same Spirit that is in His son and has placed it in us and He is fashioning us into a suitable helper (help meet). The Church looks more like a self improvement seminar rather than being recreated in His image. Like some powerless self-help, self awareness, mental health club rather than the bride of Christ walking in the power of the kingdom called to co-labor with the angelic.

Like the union between a man and woman, this union is also meant to produce offspring. I for one do not believe in offspring at any cost or church growth by any means. Having children is not the goal. Having children through union with Christ is. It seems the Church is content with having other men’s children all in the name of church growth rather than having offspring through intimacy and devotion to Christ. The Church is still run like a clubhouse that constantly wants to make itself appealing to the world. But a major shift has come where Christ is becoming the attraction. What advantage is there to embrace the kingdom without embracing the King; to embrace Christian philosophy without embracing the Christ. “Oh Jesus, lover of my soul, be joined unto me and I to thee.”

Lack of conversion in ourselves has caused lack of conversion in our converts. As surely as Rebekah produced two offspring; one was accepted the other rejected. The church still produces a carnal seed that is being rejected. It is lack of union or covenant with the groom that produces unacceptable seed. It is the Holy Spirit’s design to bring about union in the life of the believer. Where we cry out, “Now my Husband will be joined unto me.”

Written by Rusty Owens

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