The TWO Benjamites

 

2 Corinthians 1:21

King James Version

21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, 

and hath anointed us, 

is God;

They were both called "Saul".

A couple of Benjamites.

From the tribe of Benjamin.

One, from the Old Testament.

The other, from the New Testament.

The OT Saul was the FIRST king of Israel.

The NT Saul, was called to be an apostle of CHRIST.

Both were "anointed" to serve the LORD.

King Saul started well, but ended badly.

Saul, renamed Paul, started badly, but ended well.

Interesting what SPIRIT makes me see.

Here are the TWO Benjamites:

King SAUL

1 Samuel 10:24

King James Version

24 And Samuel said to all the people, 

See ye him whom the Lord hath chosen, 

that there is none like him among all the people? 

And all the people shouted, and said, 

God save the king.

King Saul became king because the people had no king then.

They wanted to choose their own king.

An affront upon the LORD, Who always appointed His kings.

Nevertheless, GOD told prophet Samuel to tell ungrateful Israel:

1 Samuel 8:10-18

King James Version

10 And Samuel told all the words of the Lord 

unto the people that asked of him a king.

11 And he said, 

This will be the manner of the king 

that shall reign over you: 

He will take your sons, 

and appoint them for himself, 

for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; 

and some shall run before his chariots.

12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, 

and captains over fifties; 

and will set them to ear his ground, 

and to reap his harvest, 

and to make his instruments of war, 

and instruments of his chariots.

13 And he will take your daughters 

to be confectionaries, 

and to be cooks, 

and to be bakers.

14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, 

and your oliveyards, even the best of them, 

and give them to his servants.

15 And he will take the tenth of your seed,

and of your vineyards, 

and give to his officers, and to his servants.

16 And he will take your menservants, 

and your maidservants, 

and your goodliest young men, 

and your asses, and put them to his work.

17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: 

and ye shall be his servants.

18 And ye shall cry out in that day 

because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; 

and the Lord will not hear you in that day.

Apostle PAUL

1 Timothy 1:15

King James Version

15 This is a faithful saying, 

and worthy of all acceptation, 

that Christ Jesus came into the world 

to save sinners; 

of whom I am chief.

Apostle Paul (formerly Saul), a Pharisee, and persecutor of Jews, was converted by JESUS:

Acts 9:1-9

King James Version

9 And Saul, 

yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter 

against the disciples of the Lord, 

went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus 

to the synagogues, 

that if he found any of this way, 

whether they were men or women, 

he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: 

and suddenly there shined round about him 

a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, 

and heard a voice saying unto him, 

Saul, Saul, 

why persecutest thou me?

5 And he said, 

Who art thou, Lord? 

And the Lord said, 

I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: 

it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, 

Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?

 And the Lord said unto him, 

Arise, and go into the city, 

and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7 And the men which journeyed with him 

stood speechless, 

hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8 And Saul arose from the earth; 

and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: 

but they led him by the hand, 

and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, 

and neither did eat nor drink.

GOD knows our hearts.

He knows how we will all turn out.

We were all predestined for something.

Nothing is hidden from the LORD.

GOD's will always be done.

The next post will explore another connection between the tribes of Judah, and Benjamin.

Related material:

The people of ISRAEL sin against GOD

GOD gives ISRAEL the king THEY want

GOD's quirky WAYS

TOP image: Clipart Library

King Saul image: Free Bible Images

Apostle Paul image: Free Bible Images

WOLF and LAMB

 

Isaiah 11:9

King James Version

9 They shall not hurt nor destroy 

in all my holy mountain: 

for the earth shall be full 

of the knowledge of the Lord, 

as the waters cover the sea.

What do wolves and lambs have to do with the end times?

What do these have to do with the tribe of Benjamin?

Who do wolves and lambs represent in Scripture?

Can WOLVES and LAMBS co-exist?

Literally, one day.

Scripture says so.

Isaiah 11:6

King James Version

6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, 

and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; 

and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; 

and a little child shall lead them.

Isaiah 65:25

King James Version

25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, 

and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: 

and dust shall be the serpent's meat. 

They shall not hurt nor destroy 

in all my holy mountain, 

saith the Lord.

Spiritually, too.

What does the Bible say about the "wolf"?

Who does it refer to?

This, from a prophecy Jacob gave his sons.

They represent the 12 tribes of Israel.

One of whom was Benjamin -- the "wolf":

Genesis 49:27

King James Version

27 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: 

in the morning he shall devour the prey, 

and at night he shall divide the spoil.

One personality that stands out is apostle Paul.

Of the tribe of Benjamin:

Romans 11:1

King James Version

11 I say then, 

Hath God cast away his people? 

God forbid. 

For I also am an Israelite, 

of the seed of Abraham, 

of the tribe of Benjamin.

Philippians 3:5

King James Version

5 Circumcised the eighth day, 

of the stock of Israel, 

of the tribe of Benjamin, 

an Hebrew of the Hebrews; 

as touching the law, a Pharisee;

What does the Bible say about the "lamb"?

JESUS is that LAMB.

John the Baptist prepared the way for the LORD.

He also acknowledged JESUS, as SON of GOD:

John 1:29

King James Version

29 The next day John seeth Jesus 

coming unto him, 

and saith, 

Behold the Lamb of God, 

which taketh away the sin of the world.

John 1:34-37

King James Version

34 And I saw, and bare record 

that this is the Son of God.

35 Again the next day after John stood, 

and two of his disciples;

36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, 

he saith, 

Behold the Lamb of God!

37 And the two disciples heard him speak, 

and they followed Jesus.

Isaiah prophesied about JESUS:

Isaiah 53:7

King James Version

7 He was oppressed, 

and he was afflicted, 

yet he opened not his mouth: 

he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, 

and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, 

so he openeth not his mouth.

As "lamb", JESUS was that TRESPASS OFFERING.

The Book of Revelation spoke of JESUS:

Revelation 5:11-14

King James Version

11 And I beheld, 

and I heard the voice of many angels round about 

the throne and the beasts and the elders: 

and the number of them was 

ten thousand times ten thousand, 

and thousands of thousands;

12 Saying with a loud voice, 

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, 

and riches, and wisdom, and strength, 

and honour, and glory, and blessing.

13 And every creature which is in heaven, 

and on the earth, 

and under the earth, 

and such as are in the sea, 

and all that are in them, 

heard I saying, 

Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, 

be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, 

and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

14 And the four beasts said, Amen. 

And the four and twenty elders 

fell down and worshipped him 

that liveth for ever and ever.

Revelation 6:1

King James Version

6 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, 

and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, 

one of the four beasts saying, 

Come and see.

Revelation 22:1-5

King James Version

22 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, 

clear as crystal, 

proceeding out of the throne of God 

and of the Lamb.

2 In the midst of the street of it, 

and on either side of the river, 

was there the tree of life, 

which bare twelve manner of fruits, 

and yielded her fruit every month: 

and the leaves of the tree were 

for the healing of the nations.

3 And there shall be no more curse: 

but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; 

and his servants shall serve him:

4 And they shall see his face; 

and his name shall be in their foreheads.

5 And there shall be no night there; 

and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; 

for the Lord God giveth them light:

 and they shall reign for ever and ever.

PEACE is only POSSIBLE through JESUS.

JESUS is PRINCE of PEACE.

That was prophesied.

Isaiah 9:6

King James Version

6 For unto us a child is born, 

unto us a son is given: 

and the government shall be upon his shoulder: 

and his name shall be called Wonderful, 

Counsellor, 

The mighty God, 

The everlasting Father, 

The Prince of Peace.

While the "wolf" represents ferocity, the "lamb" represents docility.

Apostle Paul was from the tribe of BENJAMIN, and had wolf-like characteristics in his ministry, in His total devotion to the WORD.

JESUS was from the tribe of JUDAH, and had lamb-like characteristics in His ministry, in His devotion to GOD, and people He wanted saved.

Yes, indeed, the wolf and lamb can co-exist.

If we have JESUS in our heart.

If we have devotion like Paul's.

With GOD's SPIRIT in us.

As born again, we shall be saved.

From the other type of wolf.

Matthew 7:15

King James Version

15 Beware of false prophets, 

which come to you in sheep's clothing, 

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

More Benjamin articles here.

Related material:

SHEEP among wolves

PEACE through JESUS

PRIEST from JUDA

God's HOLY mountain

The SHEEP

JUDAH and BENJAMIN series

BORN AGAIN articles

Image: Clipart Library

FOURTH and TWELFTH

 

Proverbs 23:15

King James Version

15 My son, 

if thine heart be wise, 

my heart shall rejoice, even mine.

What do I mean by fourth, and twelfth?

What is their significance?

This being third in the series, we refer to two tribes in alliance.

JUDAH and BENJAMIN.

Judah is Jacob's fourth son.

Benjamin is Jacob's twelfth son.

SPIRIT led me to look into the significance of those numbers.

And here's what "Keys to Scripture Numerics" reveals --

The number FOUR:

"CREATION...WORLD"

The number TWELVE:

"GOVERNMENTAL PERFECTION"

To understand further, we look into the main personalities of each tribe:

The tribe of Judah -- JESUS.

Representing "CREATION...WORLD":

Colossians 1:16-17

King James Version

16 For by him were all things created, 

that are in heaven, 

and that are in earth, 

visible and invisible, 

whether they be thrones, 

or dominions, 

or principalities, 

or powers: 

all things were created by him, 

and for him:

17 And he is before all things, 

and by him all things consist.

The tribe of Benjamin -- Paul.

Representing "GOVERNMENTAL PERFECTION":

Romans 13:1-7

King James Version

13 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. 

For there is no power but of God: 

the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, 

resisteth the ordinance of God: 

and they that resist 

shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, 

but to the evil. 

Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? 

do that which is good, 

and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. 

But if thou do that which is evil, 

be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: 

for he is the minister of God, 

a revenger to execute wrath upon him 

that doeth evil.

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, 

not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: 

for they are God's ministers,

 attending continually upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore to all their dues: 

tribute to whom tribute is due; 

custom to whom custom; 

fear to whom fear; 

honour to whom honour.

JESUS created everything.

Paul taught governance, through his epistles.

Are you beginning to see it yet?

Why GOD made JUDAH and BENJAMIN group together.

1 Kings 12:21

King James Version

21 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, 

he assembled all the house of Judah, 

with the tribe of Benjamin, 

an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, 

which were warriors, 

to fight against the house of Israel, 

to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam 

the son of Solomon.

But, of course, that war was not to be.

As always, GOD has a purpose.

He is particular about peace, and order:

1 Corinthians 14:33

King James Version

33 For God is not the author of confusion, 

but of peace, 

as in all churches of the saints.

I imagine an astounding combination.

Especially for these end times.

JESUS from the tribe of Judah.

Paul from the tribe of Benjamin.

Both are particular about obeying GOD's law, will, and commands.

Both are particular about holiness, obedience, and perfection.

Something we all need in these last days.

Thanks to the "wolf" dream four days ago.

It made me look into the tribe of Benjamin.

Which opened many avenues for thought, and research.

So far, this is our third article in the "JUDAH and BENJAMIN" series.

If you're not born again yet, you can't appreciate SPIRIT.

Neither can you appreciate the LORD's ways.

The Bible holds TONS of TREASURES.

Only by being born again can you be taught rightfully.

And understand Scripture beautifully.

It's something I truly cherish.

This fellowship with SPIRIT.

More Benjamin articles here.

Related material:

JUDAH and BENJAMIN

Image: Clipart Library

JUDAH and BENJAMIN

 

Genesis 44:18-21

King James Version

18 Then Judah came near unto him, 

and said, 

Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, 

speak a word in my lord's ears, 

and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: 

for thou art even as Pharaoh.

19 My lord asked his servants, saying, 

Have ye a father, or a brother?

20 And we said unto my lord, 

We have a father, an old man, 

and a child of his old age, a little one; 

and his brother is dead, 

and he alone is left of his mother, 

and his father loveth him.

21 And thou saidst unto thy servants, 

Bring him down unto me, 

that I may set mine eyes upon him.

In a previous post, we showed that JACOB blessed Benjamin, his youngest son.

He did the same for his 11 other sons, who became the 12 tribes of Israel.

He tells them of what shall "befall" them in the "last days".

When Jacob blessed Judah*, his fourth son, he said:

Genesis 49:8-12

King James Version

8 Judah, 

thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: 

thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; 

thy father's children shall bow down before thee.

9 Judah is a lion's whelp: 

from the prey, my son, 

thou art gone up: 

he stooped down, 

he couched as a lion, 

and as an old lion; 

who shall rouse him up?

10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, 

nor a lawgiver from between his feet, 

until Shiloh come; 

and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

11 Binding his foal unto the vine, 

and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; 

he washed his garments in wine, 

and his clothes in the blood of grapes:

12 His eyes shall be red with wine, 

and his teeth white with milk.

When Jacob blessed Benjamin**, his youngest son, he said:

Genesis 49:27

King James Version

27 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: 

in the morning he shall devour the prey, 

and at night he shall divide the spoil.

MOSES also blessed Judah:

Deuteronomy 33:7

King James Version

7 And this is the blessing of Judah: 

and he said, 

Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah, 

and bring him unto his people: 

let his hands be sufficient for him; 

and be thou an help to him from his enemies.

As well as Benjamin:

Deuteronomy 33:12

King James Version

12 And of Benjamin he said, 

The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; 

and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, 

and he shall dwell between his shoulders.

You will want to know these:

JESUS came from the tribe of Judah.

GOD deemed it so:

Isaiah 65:9

King James Version

9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, 

and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: 

and mine elect shall inherit it, 

and my servants shall dwell there.

Hebrews 7:13-14

King James Version

13 For he of whom these things are spoken 

pertaineth to another tribe, 

of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; 

of which tribe Moses spake nothing 

concerning priesthood.

Apostle Paul came from the tribe of Benjamin.

Romans 11:1

King James Version

11 I say then, 

Hath God cast away his people? 

God forbid. 

For I also am an Israelite, 

of the seed of Abraham, 

of the tribe of Benjamin.

The next post will tell us another connection they have.

Which results from a king's fall from grace.

We perceive this will be a three, or five-part series.

Only because SPIRIT is leading me to something.

Which will be revealed, as we go along.

NOTES:

*Judah's mother was Leah.

**Benjamin's mother was Rachel.

Related material:

TRIBE of BENJAMIN

JACOB blesses BENJAMIN

MOSES blesses BENJAMIN

JUDAH and BENJAMIN series

Image of Jacob and Leah, with their four sons -- Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; Rachel is the sister of Leah: Free Bible Images

TRIBE of BENJAMIN

 

Apostle Paul says:

Romans 11:1

King James Version

11 I say then, 

Hath God cast away his people? 

God forbid. 

For I also am an Israelite, 

of the seed of Abraham, 

of the tribe of Benjamin.

If you know anything about the tribe of Benjamin, then you'd understand the character of apostle Paul.

A man devoted to GOD's WORD.

Taking great risks, and all, in defense of the WORD.

What other traits characterize this tribe?

"The tribe is best known for its warrior-like people who were skilled in archery, slinging rocks, and left-handed fighting. The tribe also controlled the major city of Jerusalem early in Jewish history and produced the first king, Saul, of the United Kingdom of Israel. Later, the Benjamites united with the Judahites to control the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and most modern-day Jews are descended from one of these tribes."

-- Tribe of Benjamin in the Bible | Overview, History & Symbol

"These are descendants of the man Benjamin. They were called Benjamites.

During the Exodus, this tribe was the smallest but one (Numbers 1:36-37; Psalm 68:27). During the march its place was along with Manasseh and Ephraim on the west of the tabernacle.

At the entrance into Canaan it counted 45,600 warriors.

It has been inferred by some from the words of Jacob (Genesis 49:27) that the figure of a wolf was on the tribal standard.

This tribe is also mentioned in the New Testament (Romans 11:1; Philippians 3:5)."

-- Christian Answers

The verses describing the tribe of Benjamin:

Numbers 1:36-37

King James Version

36 Of the children of Benjamin, 

by their generations, 

after their families, 

by the house of their fathers, 

according to the number of the names, 

from twenty years old and upward, 

all that were able to go forth to war;

37 Those that were numbered of them, 

even of the tribe of Benjamin, 

were thirty and five thousand 

and four hundred.

Psalm 68:27

King James Version

27 There is little Benjamin with their ruler, 

the princes of Judah and their council, 

the princes of Zebulun, 

and the princes of Naphtali.

GOD commanded each of the 12 tribes to pitch their own "standards".

And a captain was appointed to lead each tribe:

Numbers 2:1-2

King James Version

2 And the Lord spake unto Moses 

and unto Aaron, 

saying,

2 Every man of the children of Israel 

shall pitch by his own standard, 

with the ensign of their father's house: 

far off about the tabernacle of the congregation 

shall they pitch.

Numbers 2:22-23

King James Version

22 Then the tribe of Benjamin: 

and the captain of the sons of Benjamin 

shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni.

23 And his host, 

and those that were numbered of them, 

were thirty and five thousand 

and four hundred.

Numbers 2:34

King James Version

34 And the children of Israel did 

according to all that the Lord commanded Moses: 

so they pitched by their standards, 

and so they set forward, 

every one after their families, 

according to the house of their fathers.

Apostle Paul speaks more of himself here:

Philippians 3:5

King James Version

5 Circumcised the eighth day, 

of the stock of Israel, 

of the tribe of Benjamin, 

an Hebrew of the Hebrews;

 as touching the law, a Pharisee;

As the men are brave, we also came to know a folly.

From which the tribe of Benjamin lost thousands of men.

Here's that story.

More articles here.

Related video:

The Tribe of Benjamin - Part 1

Image: Benjamin stamp designed by G Hamon (issued 1955/56), sourced from Israel Philately