Benjamin

Of the twelve sons of Jacob, the chosen one of God, Benjamin was the youngest (Genesis 35:18)​. When he was born, along with the labour pains, Rachel had to experience the pangs of death also. She died while giving birth to her son. Rachel was Jacob’s beloved wife. Her elder son was Joseph. Jacob loved him more than his other sons and so the other brothers hated Joseph. They threw him into a pit and then sold him to the Ishmaelite. But he became a great man in Egypt. He was elevated to the virtual position of “The ruler over all the land of Egypt.” His heart yearned towards his own brother, Benjamin. The other ten brothers were not his own mother’s sons. Because of the great famine Jacob’s (Israel) sons came to Egypt to buy corn. Joseph tested the sincerity of his brothers.

Joseph was able to recognize his brothers. But, his brothers who discarded and threw him into a pit and then sold him to the Ishmaelites for 20 pieces of silver were not able to recognize him. Here lies a great mystery. Those who are led by the Spirit of God can easily find out the carnal-minded. But those who are carnally inclined, because they are not led by the Spirit of God, cannot find this out. Even while revealing himself to his brothers, it was “Upon his brother Benjamin’s neck he fell” at first. This shows the great attraction of blood affinity.

When Jacob blessed his sons in his last days, he said, “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf”. We cannot imagine a father, just before his death, calling his son, ‘A wolf’. But still Jacob spoke out only the truth and nothing but the truth.

We see this fulfilled later in the history of the Benjamite.

• The children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem and thus gave room for the enemies ​(Judges 1:21)​.
• A certain Levite once passed through Gibeah that belonged to the Benjamites. He had his concubine with him. A horrible incident happened. An old man received him and his concubine into his house. But the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, “Beset the house roundabout” and demanded the old man to bring forth that Levite unto them. The old man pleaded with them but the men would not hearken unto them. So, the Levite took his concubine and brought her forth unto them. They abused her the whole night. Only because of the abominable sin, the woman’s body had to be cut into twelve pieces and sent out to the twelve tribes of Israel. So, all the other eleven tribes of Israel joined together and fought against the Benjamites. Twice that wolf, thetribe of Benjamin rent the other eleven tribes of Israel. But, the next time he was overcome. As a result, on that day 25,000 men were slain in Benjamin. Except the 600, who fled to the caves, all the other men died. Even the women and children were killed. The next day, the children of Israel repented and felt sorry for their brother, Benjamin saying, “There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day.” They had also sworn at Mizpeh that none of them would give his daughter in marriage to any Benjamite. So, they had to find wives for the six hundred men from Jabesh Gilead. The ultimate cause for all this was the sin committed by the Benjamites. So, what Jacob predicted about his son became true.

Even today, why should there be so much confusion in this world? Why should there be war? Is it not because of the presumptuous sins of a few. James also points this out.

“From whence come wars and fighting among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?”

(James.4:1).

What is the reason for the lack of love between husband and wife? It is only because of certain secret sins. The eyes of God are ever watchful. Numerous parents have to shed hot tears because of their disobedient children.

It may take time for truth to come into the light. But lies and other presumptuous sins will be brought to light in a very short time. Many are troubled saying, “Why hasn’t God done justice to the wicked?” God delays only because He wants everyone in the world to realize that He is just. Only when all the other tribes realized the sins of Benjamin, justice was meted out to him. The whole tribe was eradicated.

Still a few of that tribe received the grace. Among them Saul was anointed as the King of Israel ​(Acts 13:21)​. Because he too did not mend his wolfish ways, he had to fall upon his own sword. Saul’s life should be a lesson to all mankind. It should melt even the hard-hearted sinner. God grant that such an end comes to nobody! Saul went to the woman that had ‘A familiar spirit’, instead of to God. That was the final cause for his downfall. Even in these days, people when troubles assail them, instead of going to the Lord, they go after soothsayers and magicians. Thus they grieve the Holy Spirit.

Let us turn to the New Testament. The Good News of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ spread like wildfire throughout the world. A man very boldly began to pursue the work of persecuting the followers of Christ. He also belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, the wolf (Philippians.3:5)​. This man from the tribe of Benjamin had a vision. What a strange thing to happen! “There shined around about him a light from heaven.” He fell to the earth. That man’s name was Saul. That man Saul was transformed into Saint Paul. It was this Paul, who, after Jesus had ascended into Heaven and began His work in this world in His Spirit, was much more mightily used by God, than those disciples who lived with Jesus when He traversed this earth.

Dearly beloved, in these days of grace, a great miracle is going to happen. Many people, who buy their lust after sin, are now devouring the souls of innocent, are going to be transformed by God as His “Mighty Vessels”. The miracle has already begun to happen. When I see such young men transformed into saints, I feel thrilled in my heart. Dear parents, the time is not far off when Jesus will wipe away your tears. Will you not dedicate at least one child from your family for God’s work?