Benjamin

"Benjamin is behind you among your peoples" (v. 14). Benjamin was the smallest tribe numerically. They are, in fact, called "little Benjamin" (Ps 68:27). The account of how they were reduced to such a small number is shameful (Judg. 19-21). The incident to which I am referring happened at some point during the course of events in this book, so it could very well have occurred at this time. I do not know. The thing that is so praiseworthy about Benjamin is that, despite being small, they showed up for battle and did what they could.

We can fall into a smallness syndrome and think that just because we do not have a specific gift, we cannot be of help to the Lord's people and therefore should not even try to be. I have heard people say, "I am nothing, I have nothing to contribute. I could not be of help in the Lord's work." That sounds like an excuse to me. Friends, God can and does use small people. Scripture is full of examples of God using small and seemingly insignificant people in His service. In fact, He delights in doing so, because it makes His grace and power greater when something is accomplished. Is that not the lesson we should learn from Gideon and his men? (Judg. 6-7) In 2 Kings 5, do we not read about a "little girl" who was a help? In John 6 we read of the "boy" who had five loaves and two fish. He was willing to place those things in the Lord's hands, and the Lord used them to feed His people.

The lesson here is to make ourselves available to the Lord, and He will use us as He pleases.