45_Benjamin is a ravenous wolf

Gen 49:27 “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf;
In the morning he devours the prey,
And in the evening he divides the spoils.”

Psalm 68:24 Your procession is seen, O God,
the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—
25 the singers in front, the musicians last,
between them virgins playing tambourines:
26 “Bless God in the great congregation,
the Lord, O you who are of Israel’s fountain!”
27 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead,
the princes of Judah in their throng,
the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

D.L. Moody, the great evangelist, once had a journalist assigned to uncover the secret of his success. Sent to observe Moody’s meetings in England, the journalist was tasked with discerning what enabled this man, with no formal education and a less-than-polished demeanor, to bring multitudes to Christ—nobles and commoners alike. After thorough observation, the journalist concluded, “I can see nothing in Moody that can explain this astonishing work.” When Moody read the report, he simply smiled and said, “This is the secret: It is God’s power working in me. It is God’s work, not mine.”

Moody’s life is a vivid reminder that God’s power shines most brightly through human weakness. Moody was not the kind of man the world would choose to lead a spiritual revival. Yet God used him to shake two continents for Christ. His life invites us to consider how God can work mightily through anyone willing to surrender their inadequacies to Him. The story of the tribe of Benjamin, described by Jacob as a “ravenous wolf” in Genesis 49:27, echoes this profound truth.

Benjamin’s story begins with sorrow. His mother, Rachel, died giving birth to him and named him “Benoni,” meaning “son of my sorrow.” But his father, Jacob, renamed him “Benjamin,” or “son of my right hand.” This change in name reflects a powerful lesson: Jacob, despite his grief, chose to focus not on what he had lost but on what God had given him. In naming his son Benjamin, Jacob embraced God’s promise and the strength that came with it. This perspective invites us to surrender our losses and weaknesses to God and trust Him to transform them for His purposes.

Throughout Benjamin’s history, we see a tribe full of natural strength and fierce determination, but also prone to destructive tendencies when operating in the flesh. Benjamin’s warlike nature is evident in stories like that of Ehud, the left-handed judge who assassinated the Moabite king with a deadly strike, and the infamous incident at Gibeah, where the tribe’s refusal to punish evildoers led to civil war and near extinction. Their raw power, unsubmitted to God, often led to pride, self-will, and strife. James’ words, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” aptly describe Benjamin’s unrestrained tendencies.

Yet Benjamin’s story is also one of redemption and grace. Moses’ blessing over Benjamin in Deuteronomy 33:12 portrays a tender picture of God’s love: “May the beloved of the Lord dwell in security beside Him, who shields him all the day long, and he dwells between His shoulders.” This blessing contrasts with Jacob’s description of Benjamin as a ravenous wolf. It reveals the potential for transformation when one’s strength is surrendered to God. Instead of striving in their flesh, Benjamin was called to rest in God’s love and protection, living securely on His shoulders.

The lesson for us is clear: when our natural strengths are left unchecked, they can lead to self-destruction. But when surrendered to God, those same strengths become instruments for His glory. The apostle Paul, a Benjamite, exemplifies this transformation. Before his conversion, Saul of Tarsus was a zealous persecutor of Christians, driven by a fierce determination to uphold the Jewish law. His zeal, untamed by God’s Spirit, caused immense harm. But after his encounter with Christ, Paul’s zeal was redirected. He became a servant of the Lord, consumed by a desire to proclaim the gospel. His words in Acts 20:24 capture his heart: “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

Paul’s transformation illustrates what happens when we surrender our natural strengths and weaknesses to Christ. His relentless drive, once used to destroy, became a force for building God’s kingdom. He was no longer driven by ambition or self-promotion but by the love of Christ. He endured hardships, persecution, and suffering with remarkable grace, remaining faithful to the mission God had entrusted to him. His gentleness and tenderness toward God’s people, described in 1 Thessalonians 2:7–11, reflect the fruit of a life yielded to the Holy Spirit.

Benjamin’s history also teaches us the dangers of self-will and pride. The tribe’s refusal to align their will with God’s led to devastating consequences, as seen in the civil war following the incident at Gibeah and King Saul’s tragic reign. Saul’s obsession with maintaining his throne, even after God had rejected him, highlights the futility of clinging to our own ambitions. His life serves as a warning: when we fight for our desires and refuse to surrender to God, we risk losing everything.

But the story does not end in failure. When Benjamin finally submitted to God’s will, the tribe demonstrated unshakable loyalty to David, God’s anointed king. They were the only tribe to remain with Judah when the kingdom split, recognizing God’s promise in David’s line. This faithfulness points us to our calling as followers of Christ. We are called to die to our fleshly desires and align ourselves with God’s purposes, clinging wholeheartedly to His kingdom.

The practical application of Benjamin’s story is deeply personal. Each of us has natural strengths and weaknesses—areas where we are prone to sin or self-reliance. Ignoring these tendencies can be dangerous. Instead, we must humbly recognize them and surrender them to Christ. As Jesus warned, “Watch and pray, lest you fall into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Only by submitting to the Lordship of Christ can we overcome the pull of our flesh and live by the Spirit.

Paul’s testimony in 2 Corinthians 12:9 is a powerful encouragement: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Like Paul, we can find strength in God’s grace. When we rest on His shoulders, we are shielded by His love and empowered to fulfill His purposes. Our achievements are no longer about us but about His glory.

As we reflect on Benjamin’s story, let us surrender our ambitions, strengths, and weaknesses to the Lord. Let us rest in His love, trusting Him to transform us into vessels for His glory. Like Paul, we can live with the assurance that God’s grace is sufficient and that He has prepared a crown of righteousness for those who love His appearing. This crown is not something we strive for in our flesh but a gift of grace from our loving Savior. Let us cling to Him, walking in His strength and guided by His Spirit. God bless.