11The first lot came up for the tribe of Benjamin according to its clans. Their allotted territory lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph: - P80
21The tribe of Benjamin, according to its clans, had the following towns: Jericho, Beth Hoglah, Emek Keziz,
22Beth Arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel,
23Avvim, Parah, Ophrah,
24Kephar Ammoni, Ophni and Geba—twelve towns and their villages.
25Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth,
26Mizpah, Kephirah, Mozah,
27Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah,
28Zelah, Haeleph, the Jebusite city (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah and Kiriath—fourteen towns and their villages. This was the inheritance of Benjamin for its clans.
- P81
Benjamin is the first of the seven tribes to receive an inheritance. The allotted land is between Judah in the south and Joseph in the north. This isnot a coincidence. This position becomes a critical buffer between the twoareas when the nation later splits into the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. This passage reminds us that God is working in our lives even in areas thatseem random or accidental. - P82
Although we may not always understand thedetails of what is happening, God can work through our families, churches, workplaces, and communities in glorious ways) His plans may be myste-rious and hidden from us, but we can trust that God can use anything tofulfill His good purposes. - P82
Sometimes we are tempted to doubt or compareour situations with others‘, but rather than fretting over what we think welack, we can embrace what God has given to us and be thankful for theopportunities to be faithful there. - P82
Dear Jesus, thank you for our family and relatives. Help us to bless oneanother with Your love and grace-even those we find hard to get alongwith. Give us Your heart for each family member. In Your name, amen. - P83
|