I love the name Benjamin. In fact, one of my sons has this name. Genesis 43:34 tells us that when the brothers of Joseph were fed at his table, special favour was granted to Benjamin.
In fact, his portion was 5 times as much.
I have been dwelling on the significance of this today.
Why would five times as much be appropriate for the youngest (and, presumably) smallest son?

Strongs Dictionary defines the word “portion” as coming from the Hebrew word “maseth” which can mean any of the following things: an uprising, utterance, burden or portion.

I find this interesting.
Benjamin’s portion was a clear sign of Joseph’s favour over him as the youngest son – the son he himself had once been, but was it also something else?

Did it mark him and his future tribe out in some way? Look at the words
‘uprising, utterance, burden and portion’ again.
With that portion came not just favour but perhaps a sense of responsibility too.

Benjamin was the only one of the twelve sons of Jacob that was FULLY his brother, having the same father and the same mother. Joseph and Benjamin were the only two sons of Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob.
As she was dying, Rachel named her son Benoni, “Son of my sorrow or pain.” Poor kid!! That’s not a name to shout out in the playground is it?!
But Jacob stepped in. He renamed his son “Benjamin,” which means “Son of my right hand.”
What is the significance of this phrase in scripture?

The right hand is referred to in the following ways:

1. It is the hand of strength and righteousness:

Psalm 48:10
According to Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness.

2. It is the hand that signified victory over the enemies of God.

Exodus 15:6
Your right hand, O Yahweh, is glorious in power,
Your right hand, O Yahweh, shatters the enemy.

3. It is the hand that typifies the loving-kindness and faithfulness of God.

Psalms 17:7
Show Your marvellous loving kindness by Your right hand, You who save those who trust in You.

Psalms 18:35
You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.

When Jacob renamed his son he gave him a different destiny. He was no longer called a ‘child of pain’ but a ‘son of authority.’
For all of us who are Christians, there is an abundant portion from God and a renaming. We are given more than we can ever ask for or imagine by a Father who longs to give good gifts to us. We are renamed from ‘sinner’ to ‘forgiven!’ From hopeless to “full of hope!”

God’s style is to give to his children lavishly, fully and running over. His heart is for us to conquer the things that bind us and to live in victory over the big and the little things of life that seek to weigh us down.

Like Benjamin, we are TRUE sons and heirs with Christ.

Praise God today for that inheritance and truth and realise afresh your importance and standing before God – the God of five portions.