Rachel, wife of Jacob, named the little baby as she was dying. And she knew she was dying, apparently.
The divinely inspired historian carefully says: “And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni.” Genesis 35:18. And that name means “son of my sorrow!” Indeed that’s what this child was to those around him.
Yet, immediately, his father named him “Benjamin!” The text, same verse: “But his father called him Benjamin.” With Benjamin meaning ” son of my right hand.”
Wherein is a “parable” of sorts … not literally a parable but a symbolic teaching … a Picture of Jesus!
Jesus our Saviour!
Jesus Who is a Jew! Born out of the Sons of Jacob, Judah to be exact. The Royal Tribe, the Kingly Line!
Jesus Who was the true “Son of Sorrow.” Isaiah specifically terms Him “a Man of Sorrows,” Isaiah 53:3 is the Source. Wow!
But to the Father, His Father … Jesus is (gloriously) a Literal Benjamin! The “Son of God’s Right hand!” In the Old Testament we are told this: “The LORD (God the Father) said unto my Lord (Jesus Christ), Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” Psalm 110:1
In the New Testament, too … repeatedly … “Which he (God the Father) wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 1:20
Colossians 3:1 … “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”
Hebrews 1:3 … “Who (Jesus) being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Hebrews 10:12 … “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.” Hallelujah!
Hebrews 12:2 … “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Yes, Jesus!
Once (especially on Calvary) the “Man of Sorrows!”
But Jesus, now, the “Son of God’s Right Hand!”
Humiliated on the Cross!
Glorified in His Father’s Presence!
And I might add … coming again as well!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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