LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF JACOB #85 : BENJAMIN #7
written by Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3586
LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF JACOB #85
JACOB'S PROPHECIES ABOUT THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL #20
BENJAMIN #7
BENJAMIN AND JUDAH #3
These two prominent tribes return to biblical history when a remnant of them returned from Babylon with Ezra and Nehemiah to rebuild their fallen temple.
The Book of Ezra is devoted to events occurring in the land of Israel at the time of the return from the Babylonian captivity and subsequent years, covering a period of approximately one century, beginning in 538 B.C.
When the Israelites were taken into captivity in Egypt, God delivered His remnant and took them to the Promised Land.
Now in Ezra's time, some fifty thousand people return to the land of Judea in Ezra 2:64-67, and yet, as they compare themselves with the numbers in Israel during its prosperous days under King David, their comment is, “We are left this day as a remnant.”
The remnant theme is carried into the New Testament where Paul tells us that “at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace” (Romans 11:5). Although most people of Jesus’ day rejected Him, there remained a set of people whom God had reserved and preserved in his Son, and in the covenant of His grace.
Throughout all generations since Christ, there is the remnant of the faithful whose feet are on the narrow road that leads to eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14). This remnant will be preserved through the power of the Holy Spirit who has sealed them and who will deliver them safely at the last day (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 4:30).
What is today's lesson all about?
The return of the Israelites to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple are repeated in the life of every Christian who returns from the captivity of sin and rebellion against God and finds in Him a loving welcome home.
No matter how long we have been away, He is ready to forgive us and receive us back into His family. He is willing to show us how to rebuild our lives and resurrect our hearts, wherein is the temple of the Holy Spirit. As with the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, God superintends the work of renovating and rededicating our lives to His service.
Benjamin and Judah are our role models who returned as God's glory bearers and as God's people of praise to worship Him in spirit and truth.
Are we walking on the same path of righteousness after our Lord's namesake? ( Psalm 23:3 ).
