Joshua 18:11-28
11 Now the lot of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin came up according to their families, and the territory of their lot lay between the sons of Judah and the sons of Joseph.
12 Their border on the north side was from the Jordan, then the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north, and went up through the hill country westward, and it ended at the wilderness of Beth-aven.
13 Then from there the border continued to Luz, to the side of Luz (that is, Bethel) southward; and the border went down to Ataroth-addar, near the hill which lies on the south of lower Beth-horon.
14 And the border changed direction from there and turned around on the west side southward, from the hill which lies opposite Beth-horon southward; and it ended at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a city of the sons of Judah. This was the west side.
15 Then the south side was from the edge of Kiriath-jearim, and the border went westward and went to the fountain of the waters of Nephtoah.
16 Then the border went down to the edge of the hill which is in the Valley of Ben-hinnom, which is in the Valley of Rephaim northward; and it went down to the Valley of Hinnom, to the slope of the Jebusite southward, and went down to En-rogel.
17 Then it turned northward and went to En-shemesh, and went to Geliloth, which is opposite the ascent of Adummim, and it went down to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben.
18 And it continued to the side in front of the Arabah northward, and went down to the Arabah.
19 Then the border continued to the side of Beth-hoglah northward; and the border ended at the north bay of the Salt Sea, at the south end of the Jordan. This was the southern border.
20 Moreover, the Jordan was its border on the east side. This was the inheritance of the sons of Benjamin according to their families, and according to its borders all around.
21 Now the cities of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, Beth-hoglah, and Emek-keziz,
22 Beth-arabah, Zemaraim, and Bethel,
23 Avvim, Parah, and Ophrah,
24 Chephar-ammoni, Ophni, and Geba; twelve cities with their villages.
25 Gibeon, Ramah, and Beeroth,
26 Mizpeh, Chephirah, and Mozah,
27 Rekem, Irpeel, and Taralah,
28 Zelah, Haeleph, the Jebusite city (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah, Kiriath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the sons of Benjamin according to their families.
The Allotment for the Tribe of Benjamin
Territory of the tribe of Benjamin
The first to cast a lot out of the remaining seven tribes was the tribe of Benjamin. The allotment of the tribe of Benjamin was located between the tribe of Joseph (Ephraim) in the north and the tribe of Judah in the south. This indeed was of God’s providence. (1) Benjamin was the youngest child born to Jacob and Rachel, and the younger brother of Joseph. In that respect, it seems natural for Benjamin to be placed next to Joseph. (2) Furthermore, the tribe of Benjamin will form the southern kingdom of Judah with the tribe of Judah. For this reason, Benjamin was placed adjacent to Joseph in the north. (3) Compared to other tribes, the land given to Benjamin was very small, which was because they were smaller in population. (4) However, this land was highly fertile and included significant cities such as Bethel, Jericho, and Jerusalem (before was called Jebusite). Many often think that Jerusalem was located in Judah’s territory, but it actually was a city located in Benjamin. If you look at how narrow the land was, there may be dissatisfaction, but if you look at its significance, you will be filled with gratitude.
Lesson for us
No matter the time, the inheritance of land and distinguishing borderlines are complex matters that can lead to conflicts. In order to avoid such conflicts, God clarified the borders between each tribe. Each tribe was led to be content with what they had been given and respect the portions given to other tribes. Have you ever compared your gifts with the gifts of others and had negative thoughts? If so, let’s remember that God looks at those insignificant and enriches them with gifts. Also, rather than looking at the gifts, let’s lift our eyes up to God, who gives them. Let’s pray that we can use our gifts according to their purposes.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, You have given us the most suitable gifts. Help me to stop comparing myself to others and use the gifts given to me for Your glory. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.