342. That the second born of the Church is charity becomes clear from the things which the Church conceives and gives birth to, which are nothing other than faith and charity. The first of those born to Leah by Jacob had a similar meaning. Reuben meant faith; Simeon, faith expressed in action; Levi, charity, Genesis 29:32-34. This also was why the tribe of Levi assumed the function of the priesthood and became representative of the shepherd of the flock. Being the second born of the Church, charity is referred to as 'a brother. and is called 'Abel'.

6998. 'And He said, Is there not Aaron your brother, the Levite?' means teachings that present what is good and true. This is clear from the representation of 'Aaron' as the Lord's Divine Goodness or His Priesthood; but here, before his introduction into the priesthood, he represents teachings that present what is good and true. This is also the reason why it says that he will be for Moses 'as a mouth', and Moses will be for him 'as a god'; for 'Moses' represents the Lord's Divine Truth as it goes forth directly from the Lord, and therefore 'Aaron' represents Divine Truth that goes forth from the Lord in an indirect way. And this truth consists in teachings that present what is good and true. The kind of truth that 'Moses' represents here is truth that a person is unable to hear or discern, 6982; but the kind of truth that 'Aaron' represents is truth he can hear and discern. This is why Aaron is called 'a mouth' and Moses is called 'his god'. It also explains why Aaron is referred to as 'the Levite', for Levite' means the Church's teachings presenting what is good and true, teachings which are of use and service to the priesthood.