The Book of Genesis
Part 101
Chapter 49:27-33
We are now going to consider the last son mentioned by Jacob in his patriarchal blessing, Benjamin. This son was the baby of the large family, and the second child of Rachel who died at his birth (Gen. 35:18). He was therefore a full brother of Joseph. Benjamin was the only son born to Jacob in the land of Palestine. His mother called him Ben-oni, the son of my pain or sorrow, but his father renamed him Benjamin, the son of my right hand.
Jacob may have changed his name not only because of his grief and deep regret at Rachel’s death, but because of his hope in this little son. He expected that Benjamin would be a strong man, a stay to many in their hour of need. The reading of his last words about Benjamin leads one to imagine that his high hope had not been realized: “Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.” Was Benjamin actually ferocious and subtle like a wolf? One thing is certain, Benjamin became the most warlike of all the twelve tribes, the fiercest fighters in battle. They fought with Deborah (Judges 5:14); fought against all the other tribes in a civil war (Judges 19-20). The first king of Israel, the choice of the people, Saul, lived up to this reputation of fierceness. Like a ravining wolf he hunted for David, and would have killed the man of God’s choice.
One of the most obvious fulfilments of this prediction by Jacob is seen in the early life of the Apostle Paul. Saul of Tarsus was a Hebrew of the Hebrews and of the tribe of Benjamin (Phil. 3:5). In taking a retrospect of his early life, Paul wrote: “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious” (1 Tim. 1:12-13). Of that same period he also wrote, “I persecuted the Church of God and wasted it” (Gal. 1:13). In his address before Agrippa, Paul shows how this fierce nature dominated his preconversion years: “I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them” (Acts 26:9-10).
Thank God, He tamed that wolflike fierceness! How subdued Paul became through intimacy with the One who said, “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:28). The Apostle’s words to the Colossians are a proof of the reality of his conversion: “I Paul am made a minister; Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His Body’s sake, which is the Church” (Col. 1:23-24).
As he neared the close of his life and ministry, Paul wrote to his spiritual son, Timothy, “I am appointed a preacher, and an Apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed” (2 Tim. 1:11-12). How radically Paul had been changed! The fiercest persecutor of the Church became its finest preacher; he who caused much suffering to the Church willingly suffered for her, and that without complaint. The wolf, speaking figuratively, who would have devoured the flock of God was so transformed that he became a shepherd over the flock; upon him rested the care of the churches.
The Summation
“All these are the twelve tribes of Israel.” Jacob, with prophetic vision, saw a great nation and the descendants of his sons as tribes in that union. These were words not of hope only but of faith. During his second visit to Bethel God appeared to him, “And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins” (Gen. 35:11). He believed that what God had promised, He would surely bring to pass.
The summation is a checking over to see that none were omitted from this blessing. Blessing it was although some critical points were raised and harsh statements made. Each blessing suited perfectly the condition for which it was intended. God, through Jacob the channel, bestowed the exact provision and ‘benediction required for each prevailing circumstance.
Jacob had been the cause of strife and hatred in the case of both Laban and Esau, but under the divine discipline of years, he became the cause of blessing. May the prayer of each redeemed heart be, “Make me a channel of blessing today.”
Funeral Arrangements
Jacob now gives instructions in regard to his death and burial. The family stood united about him, and he was conscious that because of their respect and loyalty for him, they would fulfil his wish.
The expression, “I am to be gathered unto my people,” was commonly understood by the ancients merely to be joined to one’s ancestors in death and not necessarily meaning to be reunited with forefathers in a world of spirits.
Death is inevitable because of Adam’s sin (Rom. 5:12). Jacob contemplated this crisis in full assurance of faith, and calmly gave his directions. Man is made in the image of God, therefore his body merits reverent treatment in a decent burial, and Jacob realized this.
Men were not satisfied with the sufferings and the death of the Lord Jesus; to these they sought to add another indignity. They made His grave with the wicked; they wished to bury His corpse among criminals. Instead of this, God appointed that He have the tomb of a rich man after His death. In contrast to man’s evil intention for the Saviour, Jacob planned a respectable burial in his family plot.
What memories were attached to the family grave: “The cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite… There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah; and there I buried Leah.” Though Rachel was the wife whom he loved, Jacob here shows an affection for Leah. The cave-tomb was a place of sad yet hopeful gathering. In it this pilgrim family sleeps in certain hope of a glorious resurrection.
Thus ends the life of this remarkable patriarch. He committed himself to God and made arrangements for the committal of his body to the hallowed ground of the Land of Promise.