BENJAMIN IS BLESSED BY MOSES
In Deuteronomy 33:12 we read the words that Moses spoke in his blessing for the tribe of Benjamin:
About Benjamin he said: “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.”
Several questions come to mind as we first read this blessing.
Who is referred to as “the beloved of the Lord”?
How would the Beloved of the Lord rest secure in Benjamin?
How would the Lord shield Benjamin all day long?
Who is the One The Lord loves that rests between his shoulders?
Our interpretation of these things matter in understanding Benjamin’s blessing from Moses.
Let’s look further into the future of Benjamin and see what we can find.
You can’t really go forward until you have looked into the past. We can start by remembering what we already know about Benjamin, the son of Israel who began this tribe that Moses is blessing today.
WHO WAS BENJAMIN?
He was Israel’s most favored son.
Rachel died while giving him life. She was Israel’s most favored wife.
Benjamin was the last and youngest son of Israel.
Israel was very protective of him and did not allow him to go to Egypt with his brothers when they sought food for their family from Joseph.
Joseph demanded that they bring Benjamin back with them. Not knowing the whole story; having to send Benjamin back to Egypt broke the heart of Israel. He could not bear losing the last son from Rachel (since he thought Joseph was dead.)
We all know how the story ended; but Benjamin’s place in the family played a huge role in the fate of the sons of Israel.
Now his descendants make up the Tribe of Benjamin that Moses is leaving a last blessing. This ancient tribe is about to enter the Land of Promise and Moses is blessing them before his death.
WE ARE ALL BENJAMIN IN GOD’S EYES
Henry Law wrote about Benjamin way back in 1858. One of his observations was the fact that in God’s eyes we all are Benjamins! We are all The Beloved of the Lord.”
This means that God loves each and every one of us as much or more than Israel loved his precious son named Benjamin. Now that is a lot of love!
This love that God has for each believer shares the same blessings that Moses bestowed upon the Tribe of Benjamin. That blessing carried three main elements; safety, constant shelter and fellowship with God. Can you think of anything better for a blessing?
THE BLESSING OF SAFETY
Moses proclaims that the tribe of Benjamin will rest secure in God; and be shielded all day long.
The same blessing is given from God to each believer.
Once we come into the fold of The Good Shepherd; we will be safe from eternal death and we will find rest for our souls. This abundant love of God offers us a safe place in which to shelter and hide from our enemies.
BLESSING OF SHELTER
The Lord Himself is the covering for Benjamin. This is how he and every other believer is able to rest secure and safe from the world at large.
As Israel shielded the original son named Benjamin; The Lord shields this tribe of his descendants. He also shields the new tribe; the believers of Messiah whose root was found within the tribe of Benjamin.
Benjamin instinctively knows that his place is beside His Father. He puts his trust there and rests in that peace.
Benjamin is safe because he dwells beside the Father.
No arrows from Satan’s bow can reach him there.
KEEPING THE BLESSING THROUGH RIGHT THOUGHTS
His mind is in the heavenly places; not the decaying earthly things.
Benjamin’s thoughts are in the heavenly realm; where no one can snatch him from the Father’s protection, and no weapon can be formed against him.
This place; the place where Christ ascended to after his Resurrection; is the place where all believers must learn to walk; similar to Benjamin who had an unfailing trust in his father’s ability to keep him safe and protected; in all circumstances.
We must continuously count on the blood covering of Christ which covers our sins and make us acceptable to our Father who shelters us from harm and shields us from the enemy. Our thoughts must have the perspective of The Ascension.
KEEPING THE BLESSING THROUGH FEAST AND FESTIVALS
When I think of how God shelters us; I can’t help but think of the temporary shelters we build each year at The Feast of Tabernacles. These are temporary dwellings that are not built upon a solid foundation. They are like our earthly bodies that house God’s Holy Spirit. They are susceptible to the elements of nature and the world.
God, however, builds strong houses and sure foundations and after our tired, worn bodies are done for this earth; He brings us to His place of a solid shelter that cannot be shaken by the winds and rains. When God builds the shelter; we know we can be safe in any circumstances; therefore, like Benjamin, we can rest in that knowing.
These are the ways that Israel blessed Benjamin. So too are the ways in which Moses blessed the descendants of his name; and last but not least; it is how God has blessed those who believe in Messiah.
WHEN GOD DWELLS BETWEEN YOUR SHOULDERS
In these blessings it is said that “He shall dwell between his shoulders.” In biblical language, shoulders are often spoken of symbolically as the borders of the lands, from coast to coast. Within the lands of Benjamin God has established His temple. It isn’t a temporary dwelling; but a solid building built upon a firm foundation.
This promise assigns the place of the physical Temple to Benjamin. This physical Temple is a symbol of a present God. True worshipers are found within its gates. This dwelling within Benjamin’s domain promises access to God.
The Temple has been destroyed; yet our bodies have now become the temporary dwelling of God among His people.
Think about that for a moment.
Where are your shoulders? Aren’t they on the left and right of the part of your body that is just below your neck?
What organ rests in the very center of your body between each of your shoulders?
It is your heart.
The Temple of God now resides in the hearts of men who love and know Messiah.
The Temple now is spiritual in nature. It is made up of the souls of God’s people who live for Him and make up the living stones of His Church on the earth.
THE BLESSING OF FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
This brings the third part of Benjamin’s blessings into play. It is the blessing of fellowship with God. The true Church being The Bride of Christ brings this fellowship.
There is abundant prayer and worship constantly surrounding the descendants of Benjamin; both his physical descendants and his spiritual descendants who come into the family by adoption because of the covering of the holy blood of Christ. There is continuous worship now, and it comes in the form of Sabbaths, Feasts, Festivals, Studying The Word, Prayer, Fasting, Praise, Giving and bringing forth First Fruits Offerings. Such worship turns our hands and feet into instruments of God in our daily life and we learn the art of loving God and loving our fellow man; which translates into pure fellowship.
This fellowship is a constant feast of praise and admiration for God and His greatness. Christ is the connecting link that makes all of this possible. This fellowship and communion is as close as mankind can get to heaven while living in the flesh. This is the place where true faith lives.
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD; I SHALL NOT WANT
Anyone who desires the triple blessing of Benjamin, that of safety, shelter and fellowship with God; must come to Christ and allow Him to lead them into such a wonderous place.
Once you do; there is dancing singing, worship and blessings everlasting.
Who would not want the blessings of Benjamin?