On his deathbed, Jacob blessed his twelve sons, telling each what would happen in the days to come. Asher’s future looks pleasant – his food will be rich and he will provide delicacies fit for a king. His brother Zebulon will live by the sea and provide safe harbor for ships.

But I’m riveted by the future predicted for Benjamin – a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder.

This stark image of a vicious predator underscores the strength of Benjamin’s future victories. Like those opposing the Lion of Judah, his enemies face certain defeat.

Maybe it’s just latent aggression buried in my heart, but as I think through the options – a chef, or shipping & receiving, or spending my evenings dividing plunder – I’ll take the way of the wolf.

Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash

Genesis 49 in Week four of reading the Bible cover to cover.