Benjamin

Jacob is prepared to tell Benjamin, his youngest son, the blessings and prophecies that shall be bestowed upon him and his tribe at a later time.

“Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.”
Genesis 49:27

Jacob has revealed to Benjamin that a vital spiritual characteristic of his son was to have the nature to “ravin.” The word ravin means to tear, rend, or tear apart. The wolf is the only predator with a violent nature that seeks vengeance, is very territorial, and family-oriented (travels in packs). Unlike what many teach, the ravin nature is not referring to the language known as Patois – the harsh sounding language of the peoples of the West Indies nor the rebellious roots and dance hall music that comes from the Islands from legendary artists such as Peter Tosh and Bob Marley who chant down Babylon. This is not the blessing that Jacob told Benjamin would befall on him and his tribe. Recorded history in the scriptures will reveal how and when Benjamin’s blessing shall come to pass.

“Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him. [23] And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly. [24] Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing. [25] But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go. [26] Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man's house where her lord was, till it was light. [27] And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold. [28] And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his place. [29] And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel. [30] And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.” Judges 19:22-30

At this time, there was no king in Israel. Israel was divided and had no order. To get a better understanding of the disorder and lack of brotherly love in Israel, a Levite man was traveling with his concubine and servant trying to get home. During his journey, he decided that it was best to stop and try to find lodging in one of the cities of his brethren of Israel. Unfortunately, no one of the tribe of Benjamin was charitable enough to help him. He did, however, find a charitable brother of Mount Ephraim that dwelt in Gibeah, which is part of the inheritance of the tribe of Benjamin, who took him in from off the streets. Similar to the story of Lot, men of the land specifically Benjamite men of the house of Belial, knocked on the door and demanded that the man come out. Their intentions were to kill him (Judges 20:5). The man of the house protected him and offered his concubine to the men. They took the man’s concubine and abused and raped her all night and left her to go back to the charitable man’s house. Now her husband the Levite took her away and out of the house and because of the shame and the defiling of his concubine he killed her and cut her body in 12 pieces and sent it throughout all the tribes of Israel. He was seeking judgment from the other tribes as to how far Benjamin had fell into wickedness. Clearly, we see the ravenous nature of Benjamin, they tore apart the Levite’s family by violently raping his concubine and did it as a pack! Now, we see a little more clearly how Benjamin would “ravin as a wolf.”

“Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh. [2] And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword. [3] (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness? [4] And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge. [5] And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about upon me by night, and thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they forced, that she is dead. [6] And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel. [7] Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel.” Judges 20:1-6

So the Levite was seeking justice from the rest of the tribes of Israel. All the tribes assembled themselves to make war with Benjamin.

“So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.[12] And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you? [13] Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel: [14] But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.” Judges 20:11-1

Benjamin stood in defiance of the other tribes of Israel. They assembled themselves together (just as a pack of wolves would) and made war with their brethren.

“And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first. [19] And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah. [20] And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah. [21] And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men. [22] And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day. [23] (And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him.) [24] And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day. [25] And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.” Judges 20:18-25

Benjamin was fierce in battle and killed many of their brethren. Eventually, the Most High showed favor to the children of Israel and they destroyed and put them to flight. Israel eventually repented for Benjamin for the preservation of the tribe (read all of Judges Chapter 21).

“....in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.” Genesis 49:27

Another point in history when Benjamin would devour the prey and divide the spoils is during the time of Esther. Mordecai, a Benjamite, (Esther 2:5) and cousin of Esther (Esther 2:7) helped guide and orchestrate the deliverance of Israel from the oppression and massacre of all Israel. Haman, who was a commander over the Persian empire, conspired to kill all the Jews (Esther 3:1, 8-15). Mordecai, along with Esther, foiled the plan and had Haman and all his sons killed (Esther Chapter 7). Mordecai was elevated to positions of power within the Persian Empire, hence dividing the spoils''.

“On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her. [2] And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.” Esther 8:1-2

Out of this strategic take over and tale of seduction and wisdom came our holy convocation known as Purim. To learn more about this day, please read about Purim at http://www.truenation.org/Holydays/Purim.pdf.

Lastly, the first king of Israel descended out of the Tribe of Benjamin. King Saul was Israel’s first anointed King.

“Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, [16] To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me. [17] And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people. [18] Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is. [19] And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart. [20] And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house? [21] And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?” 1 Samuel 9:15-22

“Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?” 1 Samuel 10:1

The problem with Saul is that he disobeyed the Most High. The Most High commanded Saul to destroy all the nations set before us. Saul took the spoils and saved them instead.

“Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD. [2] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. [3] Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. [4] And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah. [5] And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley. [6] And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. [7] And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. [8] And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. [9] But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.” 1 Samuel 15:1-9

The downfall of Benjamin in this scenario was him slaying his prey and dividing the spoils in wickedness. So we see various instances where Benjamin’s spiritual character would cause major turmoil in Israel as well as mirth and gladness.

“And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12

Now, as an inheritance Benjamin was prophesied to be “covered” and to “dwell between his shoulders.” Some say this is a geographical indicator of being the West Indies. Between the shoulders being the heavens and the islands. This meant they would be blessed with good climate and land. However, again Israel was brought here to serve punishment and captivity (Micah 2:10; Deuteronomy 28). Much of the profits of tourism in the West Indies does not benefit the native people of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tabago. Kingston, Jamaica is one of the worst ghettos in the western hemisphere and Trinidad and Tabago are poverty stricken. While there is no doubt that the inhabitants of these islands are part of the Lost Tribes of Israel, Deuteronomy 33:12 is not speaking of the West Indies. Let’s examine and look at a map of Benjamin’s land inheritance in the promised land of Israel: