RPG Adults
THE INHERITANCE OF BENJAMIN
LORD’S DAY, DECEMBER 10
Joshua 18:11-28
Genesis 28:10-19
“And he called the name of
that place Bethel…”
THE INHERITANCE OF BENJAMIN
When the camp of Israel moved to Shiloh, there were yet seven tribes that had not received inheritance. The first among these was the tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin was the lastborn son of Jacob. He was the only one born in the land of Canaan after Jacob came out of Haran, the house of Laban. He was the second son of Rachel. After Joseph was sold into Egypt, Benjamin took Joseph's place and became the beloved son of his father Jacob. Jacob blessed him, together with all his other sons. The tribe of Benjamin played a significant role in the history of Israel. Here, the focus is on their receiving the inheritance from Joshua.
The description of the heritage of Benjamin covers the lot between the children of Judah and Joseph. This is given in great detail. It reached Jordan on the side of Jericho to Bethaven. It also went to the side of Luz which is Bethel, south of Bethhoron. Luz (later renamed Bethel by Jacob) was the place where Jacob had slept the first night when he was running away from his brother Esau (Gen 28). It was here that God appeared to him in a vision that night. He then said that the place was none other than the house of God, and he named it Bethel. He also made an altar from the stones that he had used for his pillow and poured the oil that he carried in a bottle as an offering to God.
The name Bethel remained for generations and the heritage of Benjamin retained that historic place. Jericho is also mentioned as part of their heritage. It will not be forgotten how God delivered that city to Israel in that first conquest by Joshua. (A Bible atlas would be useful in identifying all the places named in the heritage of the tribes of Israel.) Kirjathjearim was a city of Judah and it was a border town of Benjamin. The western border went to the well of waters of Nephtoah. God uses these details to show the truthfulness of His Word.
THOUGHT: The place of everyone’s abode is appointed by God.
PRAYER: Father, may I see the place Thou hast appointed for my abode as the best.