Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might; come and save us. – Psalm 80:1-2

Today’s Scripture Reading (May 28, 2016): Psalm 80

Parents aren’t supposed to have favorite children. And if we do, we absolutely do not let the children know. At least, that is what is supposed to happen if we want well-adjusted families. The problem with most families is not that they love one child more than another, but that our children are often so very different, and our reactions also have to be very different. I know that that is what it is like in my family. I have two wonderful kids who I love more than words can describe. And now I have three grandchildren, each one different and each one treasured, and each one desiring a different reaction from me. I don’t love any of them more or less, but I must love them differently.

But it is evident that Jacob never got that memo. Jacob had twelve sons and at least one daughter from his two wives and their two handmaidens. But to Jacob, only two of them really mattered. Jacob’s first love was Rachel. And the truth was that no one else really mattered. But at least at first, Rachel was barren. The children of Jacob were all coming from the other three women in Jacob’s life. Until Rachel became pregnant with Joseph. Joseph was a game changer. Of the thirteen children that we know were born to Jacob, Joseph was the twelfth. And Joseph, the only son of Rachel, was loved more than any of the rest. Then Rachel became pregnant again with Jacob’s thirteenth child - Benjamin. And Rachel died in childbirth with Benjamin. Her memory was cemented in the memory of Jacob. And her sons were a memory in the mind of Jacob of the only woman that he had ever really loved.

Scholars have wondered about the mention of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin in this Psalm. Among the answers that have been suggested are that it was these three tribes who marched behind the Ark of the Covenant. The solution fits well with the mention of God sitting “enthroned between the cherubim,” which is an obvious allusion to the Ark. But the problem is that it seems to be more likely that it was the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun that marched behind the Ark of the Covenant. Others have pointed to the fact that it was Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin who were encamped on the West side of the Ark when Israel was camped in the desert. And although that is true, the significance of why this fact is important seems to be lacking.

But there are two things that are significant about the mention of these three tribes. First, the three tribes are on both sides of the eventual divide of the nation. Manasseh and Ephraim would find themselves siding with the Northern tribes while the tribe of Benjamin would side with Judah. But the second pertinent fact is that these are the children of Rachel. Manasseh and Ephraim were the sons of Joseph, and Benjamin was their full uncle. God was the God of Joseph and Benjamin, and together they symbolized all of the sons of Jacob. Israel was the favorite nation of God and he led them like a shepherd – and he loved protected them just like Jacob had loved and protected his favorite sons. He loved all of Israel and both sides of the eventual divide.   

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 81 & 82

Personal Note: Happy Birthday to my wife, Nelda.