Exodus 6:14-7:7

“These are the same Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, ‘Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.’” (Exodus 6:26, NKJV)

I recently spoke with a friend who received results from DNA testing. Now he precisely knows his nationality, and it is different than what he thought. If we were to examine every person in our family tree, no doubt we would discover some pretty gnarly characters.

That’s how it was for Moses and Aaron. Their ancestor Levi was a bad dude! He and his brother Simeon told the men of Shechem to become like them and circumcise all their males. The men agreed, but then while they were still sore, the two brothers killed them all. This was payback for the prince of Shechem violating their sister Dinah. Jacob didn't do much at the time, but later he cursed these two on his deathbed:

“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.” (Genesis 49:5–6a, NKJV)

Nevertheless, God still chose Levi to be the priestly tribe. That warrior spirit of Levi would be repurposed to bring forth strong men who would stand before the LORD and before Pharaoh.

Don’t let a bad family history, your own shameful past, or even present weaknesses keep you from being all that God is calling you to be. God doesn't use perfect people; He uses people who are available.

“Lord, what would you have me do?”