Bragging Rights

O. T, #480  "Bragging Rights"
Joshua 18-Part 2
March 16, 2015
...of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  Philippians 3:5,7

LET IT GLOW


Are there any famous people in your background? Are there any presidents or kings as your descendants? Probably a lot of us either have an English or Indian heritage. I have both. Nothing to brag about, though. We figure one of our kin deserted the army in the Civil War time. No bragging rights here in this family. (However a Presbyterian preacher is on our family tree, though.)

We know Jesus was of the tribe of Judah and Paul was of the tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin could have had some bragging rights with the cities who developed in his land, had he been alive during that time. (Having Paul as a relative would be something to brag about.)

The lots were cast for the land of the remaining seven tribes of the children of Israel.

Life Application Study Bible explains:

Little is known about the actual method used in Joshua's day. A type of dice may have been used. another possibility is that two urns were used: one containing tribal names; the others, the divisions of the land. Drawing one name from each urn matched a tribe to a region. The Urim and Thummim may also have been used. No matter how it was done, the process removed human choice from the decision making process and allowed God to match tribes and lands as He saw fit.

The smallest tribe, Benjamin, who was Joseph's little brother and both had the same mother, Rachael. This tribe was given a narrow strip of land between Judah and Ephraim, who became the dominate tribes later. (verse 11)

This portion of land given to the tribe of Benjamin was not large, but it was centrally located and  very important.  There are 26 cities named that were located in this territory. (verses 21-28)
The most notable cities are:

• Jericho, which was the first to be conquered, forbidden to be rebuilt as a city with gates and walls;
• Gilgal, where Israel first encamped and where Saul was made king (1 Sam.11:14)
• Beth-el, though Benjamin adhered to the house of David, yet Beth-el, it seems, was in the possession of the house of Joseph (Judges 1:23-25); Ephraim and Manasseh tribes conquered this city since the tribe of Benjamin did not;
• Gibeon, where the altar was in the beginning of Solomon's time;
• Gibeah, where the Levite's concubine was abused;
• Mizpeh and Eben-ezer and Ramah (Samuel's cities);
• Anathoth, Jeremiah's city;
• Jebusi, which is Jerusalem.

Let us not forget that the apostle Paul was of the tribe of Benjamin, however, he sought a better country. (Romans 11:1 and Philippians 3:5)

[Resource: Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible]

Are we conquering our city and region for Jesus?
Are we proud of our heritage ? Although he had bragging rights,  Paul considered the only thing to brag about was Christ.


LET IT GROW

Another place located in the land of Benjamin was the Hinnom Valley. It became associated with the worship of Molech (the Ammonite god) in Jeremiah's time. These terrible rites involved the sacrifice of children. Later the valley was used for burning garbage and the corpses of criminals and animals. Thus, the name became a synonym for hell. (Life Application Study Bible)

Just as there was good and bad in the land of Benjamin, there good and bad in all of us.

LET IT GO

Help my city become known fir its faith in Jesus.

Stand against the evil practices around me.

Honor Jesus everywhere I go.