Deuteronomy 33:12 - Moses' Blessing.

The blessing on Benjamin; or, safety in the sheltering care of Divine love.

Though not without difficulty in some points of detail, the general tenor of this blessing on Benjamin is tolerably clear. It is well known that Benjamin was the object of his father's special love. The expiring lawgiver seems to see in that a reflection of a tenderer and mightier, yea, a Divine love, which, as it had been manifest to the head of his tribe in time past, would also be manifest to the tribe itself in the ages yet to come. Benjamin had been and would be "the beloved of the Lord." The words, "he shall dwell between his shoulders," are variously interpreted (see the Exposition; also Keil, Calvin, Jameson, the 'Speaker's Commentary,' et al . in loc .). We prefer the simpler meaning accepted by Calvin, that the figure is that of a father carrying on his shoulders a young and feeble child (see Deuteronomy 1:31 ). During all the changes of Israel's history, a special luster shone forth from this tribe. From hence its first king was chosen. On or by its territory was God's "foundation" in the holy mountains. And as far on as the time of the first century of the Christian era, Paul reckoned it as one of his points of native glorying that he was of the tribe of Benjamin (see Romans 11:1 ; Philippians 3:5 ). Our topic for meditation is —Safety it , the sheltering care of Divine love , an inestimable blessing .

I. THERE ARE THOSE WHOM GOD LOVES WITH A SPECIAL LOVE . They are, in a degree to which others are not, "the beloved of the Lord." No doubt there is a sense in which it is true that God loves all mankind. His love to our race is such that he has given us the noblest gift which even Heaven itself could bestow ( John 3:16 ; Romans 5:8 ; Ephesians 2:4 ). This is a love of benevolence. But our Lord speaks of something further in John 14:21 , John 14:23 ; John 16:27 . And Paul the apostle, in describing the blessings of a justified life, speaks of the "love of God" being "shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost," i . e . a pervading sense of that love.

But who are they who are thus specially loved of God? They do not belong, as such, to any nation, tribe, or tongue. They may be found in all of them. Those who are "in Christ," pardoned, renewed, accepted, justified, sanctified,—these, these are "beloved of God, called to be saints."

II. THEY CAN REJOICE " ALL THE DAY LONG " IN THAT NEW RELATIONSHIP WHICH IS THE CREATION OF REDEEMING LOVE . In the figure used in the text, and in a not dissimilar verse in Deuteronomy 1:1-46 :81, there is the underlying thought of a gracious fatherly relation. That is also disclosed in the gospel; and in both cases it has its reciprocal that of " son " (see Romans 8:14-17 ). This is not that general relation to God indicated in Acts 17:28 ; that is common to man as man. This is peculiar to those who are born again. The former may be and is marred by sin. The latter will never be; it is roads possible through a propitiation for sin by the blood of Christ, and made actual through the destruction of sin by the power of the Holy Ghost ( 1 John 3:9 ). Hence in the perpetuity of this relationship there is matter of constant joy ( Romans 8:38 , Romans 8:39 ).

III. IN CONNECTION WITH THIS RELATION THERE IS A CORRESPONDING CARE ON THE PART OF JEHOVAH . The father carries the child "between his shoulders," not only because the child is too young or too weak to go alone—true enough though that may be—but because he feels that the child's safety is its father's care. And the parent would feel it a reproach to himself if the weal of the child were not the care of his heart. Now, we know how our Lord permits, yea, teaches us to look up from human tenderness to the Divine, as if the lower were but the reflection (and consequently the image) of the higher ( Matthew 7:9-11 ). And St. Peter directly' teaches the positive truth, "he careth for you" ( 1 Peter 5:7 ). And so does Peter's Lord, in Luke 12:6 , Luke 12:7 , Luke 12:22-30 ; Matthew 21:32 , Matthew 21:33 . How much of loving care is indicated in John 6:38-40 ; John 10:1-29 , words would fail to tell. The believer may meditate thereon to his heart's delight, but he will find no words adequately to express the glories revealed to his faith in the infinite care for him of God the Father and the Son.

IV. HENCE THE BELOVED OF THE LORD ARE IN PERPETUAL SAFETY . "The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him"—" upon him " the word is: God bears him up; he rests safely on God. God is his " Shelterer " all the day long, without let or pause. The Old Testament saints felt this, or they could never have penned Psalms 23:1-6 ; Psalms 91:1-16 ; and 121.

1. They are safe in Divine love. None can wrest them thence.

2. They are safe at all hours. "He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."

3. They are safe from all plots, snares, and fiery darts.

4. They are safe under all circumstances of duty, care, trial, affliction, bereavement, death. They may be tossed about on the Rock, but never from it .

IN CONCLUSION .

1. Let the believer rejoice in the Lord; yea, let him shout aloud for joy ( Psalms 33:1 ; Philippians 3:1 ; Philippians 4:1 ).

2. If any ask us this question—"If the believer is so safe, how is it that one like Paul can write as he does in 1 Corinthians 9:23-27 ?"—the answer is, This is one way in which God secures the safety of loyal souls, by giving them to see the danger they are in from themselves, that they may look ever to the Rock that is higher than they are. For:

3. No such security is ever enjoyed as to warrant any departure from duty's path, or any presuming on God's providence. To a temptation in this direction, even our dear Lord was exposed, and his followers must not expect to be free therefrom yet awhile (see Matthew 4:5-7 ).

4. The great reason why God takes our cares on himself is that he may set us free for the one business of life, which is in loyalty and love to do the work of the day in the day, and to leave all else in his hands. Let us say—

"I have no cares, O Blessed Will;

My cares thou makest thine.

I live in triumph, Lord, for thou

Hast made thy triumphs mine!"

And sooner shall heaven and earth pass than one such beloved one of the Lord shall ever he put to shame.