RPG Adults
JERUSALEM: PART OF THE HERITAGE OF BENJAMIN
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12
Joshua 18:11-28
Psalm 46:1-7
“…the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacles
of the most High.”
JERUSALEM: PART OF THE HERITAGE OF BENJAMIN
The land allocated to Benjamin included Jerusalem. At that time, the city was called the city of Jebusi. Then, it did not have the significance that it would come to have in the course of history. The border of Benjamin was before the valley of Hinnom. This is described in Joshua 18:16-17. The mention of “the valley of the giants…to the side of Jebusi” (Josh 18:16) is reference to the former inhabitants of that land. Those were the people that the ten spies said they were not able to conquer.
The details and the names of places given also indicated the concern that Joshua had in settling the children of Israel in Canaan. He used the task force that he had appointed to survey the land, and they gave him these detailed descriptions. He ensured that all received their rightful due. The north border of Benjamin is also described. The city of Arabah was the northern landmark. The other was the northern bay of the Salt Sea at the southern end of Jordan. These were natural landmarks and it made the work of those people who surveyed the land much easier. In this division of the land, it was also needful to consider the available resources that would be useful in the economic activities of the inhabitants. God knew of all these, and He guided every step of the process of the demarcation of the heritage of the tribes.
The Jordan River was the eastern border. This was again a natural boundary. The land across the river was already occupied. All the families of Benjamin received their inheritance. Gibeon and Ramah were among the fourteen cities given to Benjamin. Also included was Jerusalem, the city which would eventually be made the seat of the kingdom and also the centre of worship. Since then, the city has not lost its prominence. Benjamin is the tribe that Jacob said “shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil” (Gen 49:27). God’s appointment stands. This was Benjamin's heritage in Canaan.
THOUGHT: It was the hand of God that gave Israel their due heritage.
PRAYER: Father, may I be as obedient as Joshua.