DO YOU FEEL INSIGNIFICANT?
Imagine a procession of famous Bible characters parading Israel’s good and best. Who would you expect to see as the flag bearer? Well, undoubtedly, Jesus would be out in front. Closely following Jesus might be Moses, Elijah, Joshua, Gideon, Samson, David, Elisha, Peter, Paul ……………. All well-known personalities. The second-best “also-rans” from the Bible you would try to keep at the back, right…… or maybe wrong?
In Psalm 68 we read of a procession, similar to that of the Olympics: Your procession has come into view, O God, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary. In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the maidens playing tambourines. Praise God in the great congregation; praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel. There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them, there the great throng of Judah’s princes, and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali. Summon your power, O God; show us your strength, O God, as you have done before. (v24 – 28)
Yes, you can imagine the fanfare and music preceding the great procession of the great congregation, but how and why was little Benjamin out in front, leading Israel? The tribe was called little, partly because he was Jacob’s youngest son, and partly because the tribe became small following 50,000 men who were slain due to sin (see Judges 19 and 20 for the sad story). Surely, they would be “scraping the barrel” to have Benjamin lead any procession, especially considering the great leaders in other tribes who might be far better qualified. So how did Benjamin end up leading the great procession? Before Moses’ death, he blessed each of the tribes of Israel:
About Benjamin, Moses said: “Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.” (Deuteronomy 33:12)
Little Benjamin leads the other tribes in the Lord’s procession, because the Lord is out in front….with Benjamin on His shoulders. What a remarkable image! What grace and favour that is shown to Benjamin! It reminds me of the upside-down rules of the kingdom of God, “He who is least among you all - is the greatest” (Luke 9:48); Elsewhere, God’s word says, He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honour. (1 Samuel 2:8).
And what a great place of honour it is, to be seated on the Lord’s shoulders! It is a place of 1) prominence; 2) protection; 3) rest; 4) guidance and direction; 5) continuous dialogue with the Lord.
So, don’t think that you are insignificant today. Like Benjamin, you are special, unique, valued and anointed for service by our Father in heaven, and He has seated you on His Son’s shoulders, in the place of honour at the head of the procession with Him………..
