AMONG all the blessings bestowed upon the tribes of Israel in this wonderful chapter Benjamin’s shines as one of the brightest.
“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.”
How comforting and cheering these words have been to many since that day, for, like Benjamin, we are “the beloved of the Lord.” Benjamin was the son of his mother Rachel’s sorrow, for she passed away at his birth. None of us are very long in this world bore we experience what sorrow is.
It is wonderful to have someone to love, but more wonderful to be loved. And how very comforting and precious to know that we are “beloved of the Lord.” And this is our refuge — not our love for Him but His love for us. Poor Peter had to learn this through bitter experience. His boasted love for the Lord failed him in the trial. What kept Peter was the Lord’s love for him.
He shall “dwell in safety by Him.” Amidst dangers and foes on every hand the beloved of the Lord experiences the safety of His presence. Sheltered by the blood, “kept by the power of God,” how happy and blest is he who dwells “by Him,” near Him — not far off. The Father has brought us near to Himself and wants us to abide there.
“The Lord shall cover him all the day long.” What a wonderful Defender and Protector we have! “If God be for us, who can be against us?” “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.... He shall cover thee with His feathers and under His wings shalt thou trust.” Psa. 91:1,41He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1)
4He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. (Psalm 91:4). Feathers and wings are used in Scripture as symbols of covering and protection. The Lord will protect and preserve His people Israel through all the fearful dangers and sorrows of the coming great tribulation. “He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” Psa. 121:44Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:4).
“All the day long” tells of His care for us not only day by day, but the whole time of our sojourn here on earth. “Behold, I am with you all the days.” Matt. 28:2020Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20). J.N.D. Trans.
“And he shall dwell between His shoulders.” The shoulders speak of strength, and in this we are reminded of the high priest of old who carried the names of the children of Israel engraved in the stones upon his shoulders. Our dwelling place then as the beloved of the Lord is between His shoulders of strength. Thus we are ever carried upon His bosom, near to His heart, in the place of love, and also in the place of strength.
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:38,3938For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38‑39).
Oh that we might dwell more in the hiding-place of His love until that moment when suddenly faith shall give place to sight and we shall be at home in His presence forever.
ML-07/25/1976