The outcast – This archetype is represented by Levi, who was cast out of his tribe but became a great leader in Israel.

The outcast is an archetype that often appears in literature, representing those on the outside margins of society due to their suffering or difference from the majority. This archetype is represented by Levi, a figure in the Bible, who exemplifies the outcast through his life of suffering, selflessness, and unwavering faith in God.

Levi, whose given name was “Matthew”, was born into a family of Galilean fishermen. As was customary of the times, Matthew’s father and grandfather were also fishermen, but this was to be the only ordinary thing about Matthew’s life. When Jesus called him to be one of his disciples he immediately abandoned his fishing trade, telling his family “I must follow him” (Luke 5:28). This gesture set Levi apart from his family, making him a social outcast. He left behind his home, the traditional career of his family, the support of his peers, and the security of a Jewish social status.

In addition to his religious calling, Levi was a tax collector for the Romans. This profession gained him further disdain from the members of his social circles. It can be seen in the way Jesus addressed him “Go, and do likewise” (Luke 5:28). This meant that Levi could no longer be a representative ethically in the eyes of his Jewish contemporaries. His calling as a tax collector made him a pariah.

Despite being repeatedly betrayed by those he loved, Levi never wavered in his faith. He was always the last disciple to leave when Jesus was arrested and among the first to visit His tomb after His Resurrection. Levi was ridiculed and even abandoned by the other apostles, yet he did not allow the hatred of the people to influence his faith in the Messiah. His loyalty to his calling was remarkable and inspiring.

Levi’s story is an example of being a person who perseveres despite the suffering and loneliness of being an outcast. His unwavering devotion to Christ and his cause, even as he was consistently betrayed by his friends and family, is a lesson to us all. We can admire Levi for his courage and commitment to his faith, particularly in the face of opposition. Even though his story was written thousands of years ago, the universal truth of being an outcast still remains. The outcast archetype is represented by the life of Levi and his enduring faith in times of adversity.

In the Bible, the archetype of the outcast is represented by Levi, who was cast out of his tribe but became a great leader in Israel. Here are 10 Bible verses that capture the essence of this archetype:

1. 'So Levi went out from among them and became their leader.' (Exodus 32:26)

2. 'And the LORD said to Moses, 'Send for Leviticus and make him your brother, because he is the one who will instruct you in the law.'' ( Numbers 3:5-6)

3. 'But even among the Levites, there were some who were not true to the LORD their God. They secretly followed the practices of the Canaanites.' (1 Kings 11:26)

4. 'For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,' (Exodus 20:5)

5. 'Do not despise the Levites, for they are the ones who are to instruct you in the law.' (Deuteronomy 33:10)

6. 'The Levites, however, because they did not have a tribal allotment of their own,' (1 Chronicles 6:54)

7. 'So the Levites were purified from sin and then presented themselves to do their work in the temple of the LORD.' (2 Chronicles 29:34)

8. 'The LORD said to Moses, 'Do not be afraid of him, because I have given him into your hand, along with his whole army and his land.'' (Exodus 23:27)

9. 'The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.' (Psalm 23:1)

10. 'The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?' (Psalm 27:1)