S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

In Genesis 49 the patriarch Jacob, sensing his impending death, gathers his sons to his bedside to bless them. Each son became the progenitor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Benjamin, as the...

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July 01 2013 • 1 response • Remove Vote • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What should we learn from the tribe of Benjamin?

We can learn about resilience, divine mercy, and the potential for redemption from the tribe of Benjamin, which rose from near extinction to produce significant figures like King Saul and the Apostle Paul. The tribe's story shows that an individual or group's humble beginnings do not limit their potential to be strong or to be transformed by God.

Reading about the tribe of Benjamin also serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of sin and the importance of not presuming on God's patience. 

The tribe's history includes a devastating civil war with the other Israelite tribes, sparked by a heinous crime committed in Gibeah. This event, which almost led to the tribe's annihilation, serves as a solemn reminder of the destructive consequences of internal conflict, a lack of moral standards, and the need to deal with sin according to God's law rather than doing "what was right in his own eyes".

After the civil war and later during the division of the United Monarchy, the tribe of Benjamin demonstrated strong loyalty, allying closely with the tribe of Judah and the House of David. This steadfastness helped preserve the Davidic line, through which the Messiah would eventually come, teaching the value of faithfulness and unity among God's people.

In Moses' blessing, Benjamin is described as the "beloved of the Lord" who "dwells in safety by him". This points to the idea that God provides exceptional protection and a place of privilege for those who are loyal and choose to walk with Him, a stark contrast to the self-inflicted sorrow they experienced when they turned away from God's covenant. 

Despite being one of the smallest tribes and facing near-extinction, the Benjamites produced key figures in Israel's history, including a judge (Ehud), the first king (Saul), Queen Esther (who saved the Jewish people), and the Apostle Paul. This illustrates that God uses individuals and groups, regardless of their size or worldly stature, to fulfil His sovereign plan, and that even a "small inheritance" can play a critical role in His kingdom.

Jacob's blessing on Benjamin likened him to a fierce wolf, which can be interpreted in two ways: the "devouring" of the "prey" in his early, zealous life as a persecutor, and the "dividing the spoil" in his later life as the Apostle Paul, dividing the riches of the Gospel. This duality demonstrates that a life can be transformed from one of destruction to one of grace.

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