Genesis 49:27 (ESV)
Jacob Blesses His Sons
27
“Benjamin is a ravenous wolf,
in the morning devouring the prey
and at evening dividing the spoil.”
So, why is Benjamin called a ravenous wolf? The tribe of Benjamin were fierce fighters who kill by the day and count the spoil at night. The Lutheran Study Bible summarizes the last few days by stating:
“The blessing (testament) of Jacob is a prophecy about each son and his tribe. All 12 sons are blessed as participants in the promise that began with Abraham, emphasizing return to the land. Jacob concentrates
on Reuben, Simeon, Judah, and Joseph—the first two negatively, the latter two positively. Jacob’s testament promises great blessings, including the height of God’s goodness: messianic kingship for Judah’s line. Jacob’s predictions
are not uniformly happy. The reality of sin includes judgment (Simeon and Levi), oppression (Issachar), warfare (Gad, Benjamin), and other distress. Though Joseph will prosper in many ways, the greatest gift to Jacob’s descendants is Judah’s scepter.
The Seed of Abraham culminates in an eternal kingdom for Judah’s descendants, fulfilled in the Messiah, Jesus (Shiloh).”
I pray:
O Lord, “I wait for Your salvation, O Lord” (v 18). Amen.
Engelbrecht, E. A. (2009). The
Lutheran Study Bible (p. 92). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.