Benyamin, and Yoseph's test

Shalom,

Who was Benyamin? Why did Yoseph use him as a pawn in an elaborate testing of his brothers honor towards their father?

Something I think many overlook is how Yoseph never tested his brothers feelings about himself, even though they wronged him tremendously. The text tells me it was actually how they had hurt their father, and would they hurt him again, that was Yoseph's focus of interest. I see no selfish intent in Yoseph's actions, only a desire to honor his father and God. I don't see selfish intent in his supposed "squealing" either, for all I know, the only reason he told his father of their deeds was so their father would know and be able to help them improve their behavior. Some might think Yoseph did it to gain favor, only YHWH knows for sure, and I chose to give the benefit of doubt to Yoseph.

Both Yoseph and Benyamin were born of the barren mother Rachel, the wife Yaqob loved. According to all the examples in Torah and the Early Prophets there is a certain significance to this, for it is barren wives who bear the children of promise. Sarah bore Yitzchaq, Rebekah bore Yaqob (and Esau), Manoach's barren wife bore Samson, and Hannah bore the prophet Samuel.

Yishrael had already chosen Yoseph as head of the tribe. Yoseph would receive the blessing and birthright, just as he and his father Yitzchaq before him had. He was the son whom Yishrael most trusted, but now he was gone, and there was only one other son of the barren wife Rachel left, Benyamin. Was Benyamin being groomed to take Yoseph's place? Is this why Yaqob didn't risk Benyamin going down to Egypt the first time the brothers went? Is this why Yaqob is seen being so protective of Benyamin? Was Benyamin now to receive the birthright? How did his brothers feel about that?

So, we enter the story with the brothers standing before Zaphneth Paneach with a difficult decision. Here Yoseph is offering them full pardon, go back to your father, here is your grain. Have you ever wondered what might have been going thru the brothers minds? Could some of them have been thinking; this couldn't have turned out any better! We've already rid ourselves of Yoseph the squealer, and now we can be rid of snot nosed little Benyamin too! He obviously stole the cup, the evidence is clear. We can go home to our father fully justified, with the grain we came for as evidence that we did nothing wrong! It's not our fault that he was fool enough to steal the mans cup. Fortunately Yehuda stepped forward and it was only at that time that Yoseph revealed himself. None of this had anything to do with Yoseph himself, but was all about whether they could go back and face their father without Benyamin. It was all about honoring F/father's choice, and whether we are willing to honor it.

Yoseph had framed him, was Benyamin aware of it? Had Benyamin already started realizing who this Zaphneth Paneach really was? I think yes, but I guess it doesn't really matter either way. The question I have is, is this the beginning of a pattern, a foundation? Is this a common theme that would be built upon and magnified thru the Early Prophets and the rest of the "Bible"? Does this have anything to do with why Yoseph would say:

Ge 43:29 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.

Hmmm, Yoseph asks for God's grace to be placed upon him. Yoseph also gave Benyamin 5 changes of clothing. Would certain decendants of Benyamin be again accused of "stealing a cup" that he was purposely framed with, and due to this he needs a special measure of God's grace? Would they too be used as pawns in an elaborate, yet simple test of our willingness to honor Father?

Well the next significant Benyamite that comes to my mind is Ehud, the man "shut of his right" with a "double mouthed sword" (check the Hebrew):

Jud 3: 15 But when the children of Israel cried unto YHWH, YHWH raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab:

16 But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh.
17 And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man.

He used deceit for a greater good, the destruction of Eglon (Eglon, an interesting word when compared to the egel, the molten calf). I don't want to get into this account too much now, lets move on. I should also point out how before this next account we see how almost the whole tribe of Benyamin was wiped out by their own brothers (Jud 20-21).

We next see what I consider a reproduction of the original, foundational story. The Ephramite prophet Samuel (the Yoseph figure) is rejected due to the tribes unwillingness to have his sons replace him. They want a king like all the other nations. Who do they get? Just as when the brothers rejected Yoseph, Benyamin, the temporary, interrim leader, now played by Saul. Interesting thing about Shaul is that in the Hebrew, his name, minus the added vowel points, is the same exact Hebrew word translated grave, ie, sheol. Again, we see their love of F/father being tested, as Samuel so eloquently put it:

1Sam 12:13 Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, YHWH hath set a king over you.
14 If ye will fear YHWH, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of YHWH, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following YHWH your God:
15 But if ye will not obey the voice of YHWH, but rebel against the commandment of YHWH, then shall the hand of YHWH be against you, as it was against your fathers.

Same test, do we honor F/father's decision? We/they wanted a king, and YHWH chose one, the one whom we ourselves would have chosen.

Shaul, much like Benyamin was "set up". What is interesting is how Dawid treats Shaul. Dawid treats Shaul with utmost respect, even though Shaul is trying to kill him. This may be why some come to the conclusion that Dawid was of Yehuda, for it was Yehuda who stood up for Benyamin when he was "obviously" guilty of stealing the cup, and it was Yehuda who made the pledge to his father. But what they probably don't consider much is how Dawid's "closest allies", the "sons of Zeruiah" were also of Yehuda, and they were constantly egging Dawid on to kill Shaul:

2Sam 16: 10 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because YHWH hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for YHWH hath bidden him.
12 It may be that YHWH will look on mine affliction, and that YHWH will requite me good for his cursing this day.

Personally, my studies have caused me to believe Dawid was of Ephramite heritage, and that he is the rightful Yoseph figure, the "chosen one" who would fill out the role of Yoseph, making the previous head's term interrim in nature, and doing much the same things as Yoseph later did for his family and Egypt.

If you notice, the one spoken of in the above account was also a Benyaminy, named Shimei, who curses Dawid, but Dawid leaves him alone, seemingly recognizing there may be more than meets the eye here with this Shimei, maybe YHWH told him to do this?

So, are there any other Benyaminy can we think of? One that comes to mind for me is the "Johnny come lately" of new testament fame, ie Paul, who's name is actually Shaul/Sheol, just like the interrim king long before. And he too seems to be "anointed" and is testing our love of Father. He comes along after the suffering servant, Yosephite figure Jesus is rejected (this time killed though, unlike Yoseph), and may very well be being used in much the same manner as Benyamin and king Shaul, to test our love of Father. Could this be what Paul is really talking about concerning the "thorn in his side"? Did he know he was being used as a pawn?

2Cor 12: 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of the adversary to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

And much like how Yoseph asked God to place his grace upon him:

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

It may even be that like Yoseph, this Jesus/Zaphneth Paneach fellow may still be alive and Paul/Shaul/Sheol may only be interrim in nature, for that would follow the pattern. He may even be providing for them, in some surreal way much like Yoseph did before revealing himself.

When all is said and done, I still don't know what is going on, but what I do know is that it is my duty to honor F/father, and I also know that if there is anything to this new testament stuff, then it isn't about recognizing this Zaphneth Paneach/Jesus fellow for who he is, but to recognize whether or not we will honor Father. If you really think about it, this Zaphenet Paneach figure is "the serpent". He was telling his brothers, don't concern yourselves with your father's desire, leave Benyamin the thief here and take your grain and go. Obey me, for I am god, don't listen to your F/father.

What I also feel I know is how these thoughts make it easier for me to understand such things as Jeremiah 31 and Rachel weeping for HER children (Yoseph and Benyamin), and Ephraim the "untaught heifer" and how they are still YHWH's beloveds:

Jer 31:6 For there shall be a day, that the watchmen (netzerym literally) upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto YHWH our God.

As if to say, Hey Yehuda! How did we get left out of this? Let us too learn of YHWH and His Torah!

9 They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

18 I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art YHWH my God.
19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.
20 Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith YHWH.

And then there is this interesting little passage in Psalms:

Ps 68:26 Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.
27 There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.

Foolish little Benyamin, their ruler. Why? Because they themselves rejected the rightful one, the one first chosen by F/father.

I would be remiss to not point out another interesting parallel. Here was Dawid, on one side a Benyamite trying to kill him, on the other Yonatan (John) whom was a beloved "disciple" and warned Dawid of Shaul's intention to slay him.

In the new testament there is another beloved disciple, his name is also John, and he too, in his letters and Revelation, repeatedly exhorts us to obey the commandments that we have heard from the beginning, the commandments of God. Lets face it, that IS our only "salvation", to honor Father as He tells us to do in both His written Torah, and the direct promptings we sometimes receive (or think we may receive).

When I read Benyamin's blessing (the many different translations of it, especially this verse) I see the "beloveds", the Dawids, confidently resting between the shoulders of Benyamin (Shaul and Jonathan):

De 33:12 And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of YHWH shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.

Is there anything too all of this, and these seeming parallels? Bottom line, I don't know, but I do see the possibility and it really changes nothing in my daily behaviour and attempt to honor Father.

Sincerely,
Tom

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Comment by Tom Moniz on December 12, 2010 at 8:16am: Hi Denise,

I first starting seeing these things in the Hebrew some 10 years ago or so, and to be honest, I still don't quite know what to make of it. I had completely thrown out the new testament and even the prophets and writings and only focused my studies on Torah for a period of 3-5 years. But the more "evidence" (really clues) I ran into in the Hebrew, the more I have found myself believing this possibility.

When I consider that I do believe in a resurrection, I ask myself, well if you believe in such a thing, why is it impossible that it has happened? Could one human have been resurrected, and he be the possessor of the birthright with all the rights and responsibilities that come with it? Why not? If so, when was he resurrected? I would suggest at Mt Sinai and that Yoseph (somehow, someway) was the mouth thru which God spoke mouth to mouth with Moshe. This would also put the paganized birth accounts in the new testament where they belong, in the trash, for he probably just showed up at the Jordan river as John's gospel shows.

Bottom line is, I don't know. I do see a tremendous irony here too though, if there is any validlty to this foolishness. When I first realized there was no "devil" who was trying to get people to sin against God, trying to "win souls" from the One God, YHWH, Creator of ALL things (including the man from Galilee), I used to ask the question of those who do believe in Satan, "if he only does what God allows him to, then doesn't that make him the most obedient of us all"? Well, wouldn't it be interesting if the so called adversary was also the holder of the birthright, and that he was doing much the same Yoseph did with his brothers by offering them the opportunity to turn and get right with their F/father. I dont' know, I'm just a crazy man, lol.

SIncerely,

Tom

Comment by Denise on December 11, 2010 at 5:29pm: Ok, that is a lot to think about, but it certainly did make me think. I, too, have been identifying certain patterns as we read through the Torah portions, haven't been able to put my thoughts together as well as you. Enjoyed reading this and will have to think about it some more.