Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 33:12 [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.

To be among the 144,000 is the end-result of a purification process.

Perfection

James 1:2  - My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

The message of the third angels declares, Here is the patience of the saints. And the apostle says, Let patience have her perfect work; because as we go through the trials of the last days and we count it all joy and exercise patience when we meet those trials, we will become perfect, entire, wanting nothing. This is a very clear representation of the perfection which we are to attain to. It is entire, with nothing else needed.

Jude 1:20  - But ye, beloved, building up yourselves in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. . . 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen.

We are called upon to build up ourselves in the most holy faith, continuing to focus upon the love of God. “Keep yourselves in the love of God,” the apostle says, “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life;” which means that He is going to “keep us from falling, and to present us faultless.” We are dependent upon the mercy of God for this.

Through the Fire

Zechariah 13:9 -  And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It [is] my people: and they shall say, The LORD [is] my God.

If you and I want everlasting life, if we want to be saved at last, it is through the fires of purification such as those that refine silver and gold. The 144,000 come out of great tribulation. This is the trial of our faith that purges us.

Revelation 7:14 - And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 14:1 - And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty [and] four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. … 5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

They have enlisted in Christ’s army. The warfare is before them, and they enter it bravely and cheerfully, fighting against their natural inclinations and selfish desires, bringing the will into subjection to the will of Christ. Daily they seek the Lord for grace to obey Him, and they are strengthened and helped. This is true conversion. In humble, grateful dependence he who has been given a new heart relies upon the help of Christ. He reveals in his life the fruit of righteousness. He once loved himself. Worldly pleasure was his delight. Now his idol is dethroned, and God reigns supreme. The sins he once loved he now hates. Firmly and resolutely, he follows in the path of holiness. {MYP 73.3}

Benjamin’s Beginnings

What character corruption took root in Benjamin’s formative years?

Genesis 35:16 -  And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. 17 And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. 18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. 19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which [is] Bethlehem.

What sort of beginning do we see here? Is there something wrong with this? All the other sons were born with bickering parents, and they had a poor start because of that; but here was someone who was born to a mother who died at his birth. He was born to Rachel, who was Jacob’s favourite wife. And just before dying, she calls her newborn Benoni, which means son of my sorrow. But Jacob called him Benjamin, which means son of my old age. So, this child is surrounded by the influences of sorrow and loss of his mother at birth, and of a father who says, now this is the son of my old age. Is there something wrong here?? Consider again the meaning of those names: son of my sorrow, son of my old age.

Do you know what happens to children whose birth is catastrophic, and especially to someone who is getting on in years, and even to someone who has a favourite wife? This son is now very special to them. What was the result of Benjamin’s circumstances at birth and during his formative years?

Many years later, after the golden cup has been found in Benjamin’s bag, Judah is pleading with Joseph whom he only knew as the governor of Egypt; and notice how Benjamin is described.

In his deep distress Judah now drew near to the ruler and exclaimed, “O 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.” In words of touching eloquence he described his father’s grief at the loss of Joseph and his reluctance to let Benjamin come with them to Egypt, as he was the only son left of his mother, Rachel, whom Jacob so dearly loved. “Now therefore,” he said, “when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad’s life; it shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave. {PP 230.2}

What is the impact upon the life of Benjamin by a father like that? The father’s life is wrapped up with his son. Can you imagine what transpired during those formative years?

Seeds Sown from Childhood

In many families the seeds of vanity and selfishness are sown in the hearts of the children almost during babyhood. {4T 200.3}

What seeds were sown into the heart of Benjamin? Jacob was a doting father; his life was wrapped up with this child.

Their cunning little sayings and doings are commented upon and praised in their presence and repeated with exaggerations to others. {4T 200.3}

A doting parent, proud of his little baby, proud of his dear son. The child hearing the father’s doting appreciation of him. So, what happens?

The little ones take note of this and swell with self-importance; they presume to interrupt conversations and become forward and impudent. {4T 200.3}

The child is listening, and as it is listening to all the good things that are being said about it, it picks up seeds of self-importance; pride is swelling within. They presume to interrupt conversations because they’re so important!

Flattery and indulgence foster their vanity and willfulness, until the youngest not unfrequently rules the whole family, father and mother included. {4T 200.3}

Could this have been Benjamin’s experience?

The disposition formed by this sort of training cannot be laid aside as the child matures to riper judgment. {4T 201.1}

And what happens as the child grows into adulthood?

It grows with his growth, and what might have appeared cunning in the baby becomes contemptible and wicked in the man or woman. They seek to rule over their associates, and if any refuse to yield to their wishes they consider themselves aggrieved and insulted. This is because they have been indulged to their injury in youth, instead of being taught the self-denial necessary to bear the hardships and toils of life.

Parents frequently pet and indulge their young children because it appears easier to manage them in that way.

It is smoother work to let them have their own way than to check the unruly inclinations that rise so strongly in their breasts. Yet this course is cowardly. It is a wicked thing thus to shirk responsibility; for the time will come when these children, whose unchecked inclinations have strengthened into absolute vices, will bring reproach and disgrace upon themselves and their families. They go out into busy life unprepared for its temptations, not strong enough to endure perplexities and troubles; passionate, overbearing, undisciplined, they seek to bend others to their will, and, failing in this, consider themselves ill-used by the world and turn against it.

The lessons of childhood, good or bad, are not learned in vain. Character is developed in youth for good or evil. {4T 201.3}

Let us examine Benjamin’s life to see whether the characteristics of childhood pride and passionate self-will were revealed in him.

A Forceful Personality

Genesis 49:27  - Benjamin shall ravin [or avenge] [as] a wolf:

Isn’t this exactly what we have been reading about? It happened to Benjamin.

Genesis 49:29 - In the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.

He developed a forceful personality because in childhood he was pampered. What else characterised the posterity of Benjamin? The tribe of Benjamin had a particular skill which would have had an influence upon their character.

Judges 20:15 - And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men. 16 Among all this people [there were] seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; everyone could sling stones at an hair [breadth], and not miss.

When you are so good at a particular skill, what does it do to you? 

1 Chronicles 8:40 - And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers, and had many sons, and sons’ sons, an hundred and fifty. All these [are] of the sons of Benjamin. 

Men of valour; men of ability.

1 Chronicles 12:1 - Now these [are] they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they [were] among the mighty men, helpers of the war. 2 [They were] armed with bows and could use both the right hand and the left in [hurling] stones and [shooting] arrows out of a bow, [even] of Saul’s brethren of Benjamin. 

Very skilled men. What danger is there in possessing this kind of ability combined with a petted childhood?  They were self-willed, strong, and capable.

Pride and Arrogance

1 Corinthians 8:1 - Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

What does knowledge, skill, and ability do to you? It puffeth up. There are people who are very capable and very talented who have been petted as children. They grow up thinking that they know better than others.

1 Samuel 2:3  - Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let [not] arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD [is] a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

Exceedingly proud and arrogant – this is the result. Benjamin had this kind of nature, very arrogant and proud of his abilities. Have you ever heard someone boasting about what they can do?  They feel proud about it.

Last Days Dangers

It is a dangerous age for any man who has talents which can be of value in the work of God; {CH 367.1}

What? Benjamin had talents, very valuable in the wars that had to be fought. The Benjamites came to support David; they were so capable. But today’s age is a dangerous time for those who have talents that can be valuable in the work of God. Why?

For Satan is constantly plying his temptations upon such a person, ever trying to fill him with pride and ambition; and when God would use him, in nine cases out of ten he becomes independent, self-sufficient, and feels capable of standing alone. {CH 367.1}

Because he’s better than others. “I can do it myself.” What does God say? “When God would use him, in nine cases out of ten he becomes independent, self-sufficient, and feels capable of standing alone.” Nine out of ten – that is the age in which we are living.

This will be your danger, Dr. —-, unless you live a life of constant faith and prayer. You may have a deep and abiding sense of eternal things and that love for humanity which Christ has shown in His life. A close connection with Heaven will give the right tone to your fidelity and will be the ground of your success. {CH 367.1}

In the age in which we are living, those special talents and skills which we may possess can actually lead in the wrong direction nine times out of ten - even though these are talents that can be used for God’s glory.

Dangers beset every path, and he who comes off conqueror will indeed have a triumphant song to sing in the city of God.

Some have strong traits of character that will need to be constantly repressed. If kept under the control of the Spirit of God, these traits will be a blessing; but if not, they will prove a curse. {4T 538.1}

Benjamin was a good child; he was just petted. These were the influences, the seeds, which will sprout into arrogancy and pride; yet those very same qualities can be blessed by God.

If those who are now riding upon the wave of popularity do not become giddy, it will be a miracle of mercy. If they lean to their own wisdom, as so many thus situated have done, their wisdom will prove to be foolishness. But while they shall give themselves unselfishly to the work of God, never swerving in the least from principle, the Lord will throw about them the everlasting arm and will prove to them a mighty helper. “Them that honour Me, I will honour.” {4T 538.1}

Our skills and abilities, “if kept under the control of the Spirit of God”, will be a blessing.

A Cruel, Self-Willed Legacy

How did this inheritance affect the tribe of Benjamin?

Judges 20:4  - And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that [belongeth] to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge. 5 And the men of Gibeah rose against me and beset the house round about upon me by night, [and] thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they forced, that she is dead.

Judges 20:12  - And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness [is] this that is done among you? 13 Now therefore deliver [us] the men, the children of Belial, which [are] in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel.

This incident occurred in the days of the Judges before the first king, Saul, reigned.  When the tribes came to exact justice on the wicked men, how did the Benjamites react?

Judges 20:13 - But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel: 14 But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.

Can you see the Benjamite character fully developed? Self-assertive, full of their own opinion, full of pride, and passionate as a child. But by this time, they are men, and these character traits are fully developed.

Judges 20:23  - (And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him.)

So, they went up against their brothers, the Benjamites, who were so cruel;

Judges 20:46 - So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these [were] men of valour.

Twenty-five thousand slain, because in their arrogance they refused to submit to their brethren, even when the cruelty of what was done to the Levite’s concubine was proven.  But they said, no, we’re not going to listen to the advice of the other tribes. We are going to fight no matter what. This reveals a cruel and arrogant character.  As Jacob prophesied, Benjamin would be avenging as a wolf. This is a perfect illustration of that.

These cruel characteristics were reflected in the life of King Saul. Saul was a Benjamite. When he was chosen to as king, he was a very honourable man. But he had something in him because of his great abilities that made him headstrong and unreasonable.

1 Samuel 9:17 - And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people. … 21 And Saul answered and said, [Am] not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

At first Saul had a very a humble attitude regarding himself and his tribe.

1 Samuel 10:1 - Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured [it] upon his head, and kissed him, and said, [Is it] not because the LORD hath anointed thee [to be] captain over his inheritance?

It was the Lord who anointed him.

1 Samuel 10:9 - And it was [so], that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day. 

Saul became a converted man, another man; he had a new heart. He needed that; but did he have the character of his forefather Benjamite? Very early in his reign, King Saul’s inherited traits surfaced.

1 Samuel 15:16 - Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on. 17 And Samuel said, When thou [wast] little in thine own sight, [wast] thou not [made] the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?

When thou wast little in thine own sight – what is the problem with Benjamite people? They are so capable; so self-assured, so prideful that humility is lacking.

1 Samuel 15:18 - And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. 19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD? 20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.

Saul was told to entirely destroy the wicked Amalekites together with their animals, but instead he decided to keep the king and the best of the sheep and cattle. He put his own opinion above God’s explicit command.  And as a result, he ultimately lost his kingdom.

Years later when David was playing his harp to sooth the troubled spirit of Saul, he suddenly:

1 Samuel 18:11 – ‘cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall [with it]. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

Here you see the passionate arrogance of Benjamin coming through.  Saul hated David, although he once praised him for killing Goliath. But now Saul’s inherited traits of jealousy, envy, and cruelty dominated his reasoning.  He was going to kill David.

This is the natural state of the Benjamites.  But God attempts to arrest them from this downward course. He wants them to be among the 144,000. To ensure that they can be, what does God do?

God’s Purpose

There are many whom He has called to positions in His work for the same reason that He called Saul, – because they are little in their own sight, because they have a humble and teachable spirit. In His providence He places them where they may learn of Him. To all who will receive instruction He will impart grace and wisdom. It is His purpose to bring them into so close connection with Himself that Satan shall have no opportunity to pervert their judgment or overpower their conscience.

He will reveal to them their defects of character, and bestow upon all who seek His aid, strength to correct their errors. {2BC 1017.3}

So, what does God do? He will reveal the defects of their character. Even though He has chosen them to be His instruments they have defects which need to be corrected, and God is going to deal with them, as He tried to do with Saul.

Whatever may be man’s besetting sin, whatever bitter or baleful passions struggle for the mastery, he may conquer, if he will watch and war against them in the name and strength of Israel’s Helper. {2BC 1017.3}

Among the 144,000, is the tribe of Benjamin. They are naturally smart, capable, egotistical, self-deceived, full of pride, passionate, and arrogant.  But God wants to use such persons, so what does He do? And when God does this to us, remember this story.

It is His purpose to bring them into so close connection with Himself that Satan shall have no opportunity to pervert their judgment. . . He will reveal to them their defects… {2BC 1017.3}

Don’t expect a beautiful, comfortable ride with God because He has chosen you to be among the 144,000. Don’t expect things to be smooth and easy. What will He do? He will reveal your defects of character and bestow upon you, and all who seek His aid, strength to correct their errors. He will show us our defects and give us strength to overcome. Our job is to cooperate with Him.

Little Sins

The children of God should cultivate a keen sensitiveness to sin. Here, as well as elsewhere, we should not despise the day of small things. It is one of Satan’s most successful devices, to lead men to the commission of little sins, to blind the mind to the danger of little indulgences, little digressions from the plainly stated requirements of God. {2BC 1017.3}

Can you see it with Saul? A little digression, just a little one, not doing exactly what God says. This is what Satan wants, and this is what God wants us to conquer.

Many who would shrink with horror from some great transgression, are led to look upon sin in little matters as of trifling consequence. But these little sins eat out the life of godliness in the soul. {Ibid.}

These trifling things eat out godliness.

The feet which enter upon a path diverging from the right way are tending toward the broad road that ends in death. {2BC 1017.3}

This is what happened to Saul. And I often marvel at Saul in contrast to David. How did Saul’s sins compare with David’s? David did something far more serious; but Saul’s “small” sins were eating out his godliness, so that ultimately, he lost his kingdom and his life.

We will conclude with another Saul from the tribe of Benjamin who demonstrates how these natural characteristic of cruelty, smartness, and ability can be conquered. Here we have a Benjamite possessed with Benjamin cruelty.

Saul of Tarsus

Acts 8:3  - As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and hauling men and women committing [them] to prison. 

This was Saul.

Acts 9:1 - 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.

He was out there to get the Christians at Damascus, but as he journeyed, he came face to face with Jesus.

Acts 9:4 -  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.

Here is this cruel man, full of himself, full of pride and aiming to destroy the church. Let us see what God did with him through the power of the gospel. This can happen to us as well. Note the change that took place in this Benjamite:

Philippians 3:3 - For we. . .  which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, have no confidence in the flesh.

For Paul, it was a gradual weaning process from self-dependence to dependence upon Christ. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil 4:13).

Philippians 3:4 - Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

Here is the Benjamin speaking: “I’m the best.”

Philippians 3:5 - 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; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

A Benjamite indeed, full of arrogance and cruel passions, but what happens to him?

Philippians 3:7  - But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.

1 Corinthians 9:26, 27 - I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air.  But I keep under my body under and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

This Benjamite had a battle to fight. According to the flesh he was the greatest, but by the power of the Holy Spirit he brought into subjection those strong passions of the flesh. At the end of his life, he could confidently claim, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day” (2 Tim 4:7-8).

Can a Benjamite with such powerful passions striving for the mastery be among the 144,000? Yes, indeed!

Deuteronomy 33:12 -  Of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by Him; who shelters him all the day long, and he shall dwell between His shoulders.

The promise given was that Benjamin would be supported by God as a son who is carried by his father (compare Deu_1:31). Benjamin was especially beloved of his father, Gen_44:20. Moses now promises no less love to him from God Himself.

Revelation 7:8 - Of the tribe of Benjamin [were] sealed twelve thousand.

May God give us courage as we study the experiences of the twelve tribes who make up the 144,000, and  whose names are enshrined upon the pearly gates of the New Jerusalem.

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph 3:21).