Genesis 49:27

“Benjamin is a ravenous wolf.
In the morning he will devour the prey.
At evening he will divide the plunder.”

I don’t claim to know the specific application that God intends for this prophesy to Benjamin. I do know that later this tribe was to become very strong militarily even though it wasn’t always used for good. This may also be a prophesy about Jesus and His future kingdom on earth.

One of the things that is commonly overlooked about Jesus is that, as the Messiah, He is a warrior. He isn’t meek and mild, even though He is gentle to his own sheep like a shepherd is. When it comes to wolves and lions, He tears them apart. If you know about the history of David in the Bible, you know that he lived this out. He would be very tender toward the sheep, but he killed a lion and bear with his own hands while protecting them. David was a vicious warrior.

One thing that is often overlooked about war is the fact that it is necessary in order to maintain a healthy family. The family is almost always under attack in some way or another. Satan is called “the god of this world.” The Bible tells us that he seeks to devour Christians. He is also against the purposes of God. God’s purposes in this world are often promoted through the physical human family. After all, every human being is made in the image of God and Satan is only an angel. It isn’t a big surprise that He would want to attack every instance of that image that he can.

My point is that Satan stands to gain far more from a passive man than God does. If men are passive, they will allow Satan to come in and destroy their families without putting up a fight. When Jesus said to turn the other cheek, He didn’t intend for us to allow Satan to come in and destroy our families. God expects us to fight for them just as He fights for us.

Our war in the world today is not usually a physical one. We are usually fighting against spiritual forces that war against the minds of our families and ourselves. We fight human nature in the family which is actually an internal enemy as well. God may also call us to physically defend our families against those who desire to harm them.

Fortunately, Jesus knows about war and He will be the strength behind our battles. Someday, Jesus the Jewish Messiah will personally subdue His enemies and set up a kingdom on earth in order to protect the entire human family.

Revelation 19:11-16 :

I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself. He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called “The Word of God.” The armies which are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen. Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the wine press of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written,

“KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”