Lessons From Israel: Benjamin

As we come to an end of our journey of the sons of Israel/Jacob we come to Benjamin . Benjamin was the second son of Jacob's true love, Rachel. Rachel had a difficult child birth with Benjamin in fact as she was dying she named him "Ben Oni," which means son of my sorrow. However after he was born Jacob changed his name to Benjamin which means, “son of my right hand." But to steal a quote from the classic movie, "Coming To America," his momma name him Ben Oni I am going to call him Ben Oni j/k. Benjamin had two famous descendants Saul who is recognized as the first king of Israel and Saul later named Paul who is recognized as one of the greatest apostles ever.
 
Both of Benjamin names have something to teach us. Ben Oni teaches us that life is full of sorrow. Though sorrow is a part of life God provides us a comforter in the form of the Holy Spirit. Benjamin teaches us about authority. In Jewish tradition the right hand was the hand of authority and symbolic of honor and power. Jacob went on to dote Benjamin not to the extent he doted Joseph his beloved but much to the chagrin of his other brothers. Because we are in Christ we have receive a position of honor and are able to walk in the newness of life no longer do we have to be ashamed of our past and failures. We have the honor of being called a child of the MOST HIGH GOD.

Benjamin may have been the last but remember the last shall be first and the first shall be last in the kingdom of God.

Scripture Reference: Genesis 35

God bless,
Bondservant Hollis