Today’s Scripture Reading (July 25,
2014): Nehemiah 11
One of the
features of the 20th century seems to have been the continual
redrawing of the maps, borders and names of countries. Ancient kingdoms were
absorbed or recombined with other kingdoms during this century of change. But
other ancient kingdoms also re-emerged as kingdoms in their own right once
again. An example of this century of change might be the nation of Georgia, a
nation that exits on the border between Eastern Europe and Western Europe.
Georgia is
an ancient nation. We have evidence of the area being inhabited since
prehistory. But change for the kingdom actually began in the late 18th
century. The nation, fearing for its own security, signed a protection pact
with their neighbor Russia in 1783. The pact recognized the Orthodox Christian
ideals and bond held by both nations. But when the Turks and the Persians
attacked Georgia in 1785 and again in 1795, Russia was nowhere to be found. But
that did not stop Russia from violating the treaty and annexing Georgia in
1801. And as the 20th century dawned, it began with the ancient
kingdom as a part of the Russian Empire.
But then the
century of change began. Following the Russian Revolution and in the midst of
the Russian Civil War, Georgia declared its independence once again on May 26,
1918. But the independence didn’t last long. In 1921, the Red Army of the newly
formed Soviet Union marched into Georgia annexing the small country once again,
this time into the ranks of the Soviet Union. In spite of Georgia’s new status,
some nations (Britain among them) refused to recognize the right of the Soviet
Union rule in Georgia and recognized a leader of an independent Georgian State
into the 1930’s.
But at the
end of the 20th century, opportunity was available for Georgian
independence once again, and Georgia took it just before the dissolution of the
Soviet Union. Since then Georgia was involved in its own civil war and in a
lengthy conflict once again with Russia. But at this point in time Georgia
remains fiercely independent.
The story of
Benjamin and Judah is a bit more peaceful than the story of Georgia and Russia,
but there are some similarities and it still was involved a considerable amount
of map redrawing. The Tribe of Benjamin received its inheritance at the very
beginning of the foundation of Israel. During the time of the judges, Benjamin
came into conflict with the other tribes of Israel and was just about totally
eliminated by war. But Benjamin did survive, and as the Kings of Israel began
their rule, Benjamin was a proud partner. In fact, Saul, the first King of
Israel, was of the tribe of Benjamin.
At the death
of Saul and the beginning of the reign of David (of the tribe of Judah), Benjamin
maintained it independence question the right of David to Rule. For Benjamin,
the rightful ruler was the son of Saul, a man named Ish-bosheth. But eventually
Benjamin and the other tribes were brought back into the fold that was now
dominated by the Judean Kings of David and the Solomon. But after the reign of
Solomon, the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern kingdom of Judah
separated once more. And it was at this time that the Tribe of Benjamin was the
only tribe to support the cause of Judah. So from that point on, Benjamin’s
fortunes began to be tied with the fortunes of their Judean partners – and Judean
kings. As a partner with Judah, Benjamin avoided the destruction that befell
the Northern Tribes because of the attack of the Assyrians, but they did go
into exile with Judah at the time of the Southern Kingdoms conflict with
Babylon.
But when the
two tribes emerged from the exile, we begin to see more of reunification. Both
tribes set themselves on a course to just becoming Israel, and a singular
identity. But even at the time of Jesus there were those who proudly proclaimed
that they were of the tribe of Benjamin. And among those proud Benjamites was a
certain Pharisee by the name of Saul (and later called Paul).
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:
Nehemiah 12
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