What Did Benjamin Say About the Coming Messiah?
Have you ever wondered? 
Did you ever wonder what it would be like to read the actual words of people mentioned in the Bible? Some of them are recorded in the Scriptures, but often people are briefly mentioned and we have no idea of what it was really like for them as they lived through events that are spoken of in the Scriptures.
The Dead Sea Scrolls
I always find it fascinating when archaeological discoveries confirm the happenings recorded in the Bible. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls was huge. Ancient documents and fragments of Scriptures in the scrolls confirmed that the Scriptures we have today are accurate.
But what most of us have never heard was that there were many other ancient documents discovered. Some of them are historical documents that actually quote some of the people mentioned in the Old Testament. These were passed down through many generations and came into the care of the Essenes.
Who Were the Essenes?
The Essenes were a group of Jews who did not follow the ways of the Pharisees and Sadducees. They did their best to keep true to the written word of God. The ancient documents of patriarchs of the Old Testament made them aware of details of the coming Messiah that were not as plainly spelled out in the Old Testament.
The Essenes were not taken by surprise when Jesus came on the scene, died through crucifixion, rose again, and ascended into heaven. They had been expecting this, based upon the documents that they were preserving. These documents contained some very detailed prophecies about how the Messiah would be rejected by His own people and would bring salvation to both Jews and Gentiles.
It is believed that around the time when the Romans destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem that the Essenes hid away the scrolls in caves so that these precious documents would not be destroyed.
Translations Reveal Amazing Autobiographies
Ken Johnson is a scholar of the Hebrew language, including ancient Hebrew. He has been translating many of the Dead Sea Scrolls, especially those that reveal writings from or about people mentioned in the Old Testament. His translations are giving us amazing insights into their lives and testimonies, as well as prophecies revealed to them by God and angels. Obviously, we cannot put these writings on the same level as Scriptures, but it’s exciting to see how they confirm Scripture.
Ken has a short book called Ancient Testaments of the Patriarchs: Autobiographies from the Dead Sea Scrolls
I was especially fascinated to read the records of Jacob’s sons. Before each one died, they had revelations from God that it was close to the time of their death. They each called their children together and spoke to them in detail. They told of their own past sins, of God’s mercy and grace to them, and of revelations from God about the future of the people of Israel.
You’ll have to read Ken’s book to get the details, for there is not room here to report everything. I was enthralled with Joseph’s account of his own life. He suffered much, but got through it by fasting and prayer.
An Amazing Prophecy by Benjamin
Just to give you an idea of how these sons of Jacob knew details about Jesus over two thousand years before Jesus came to the earth, I want to quote from what Benjamin, Jacob’s youngest son, said about the coming Messiah.
“For He will take it, and the twelve tribes will be gathered together there, and all the Gentiles, until the Most High will send forth His salvation in the visitation of His only-begotten One. He will enter into the front of the temple, and there will the Lord be treated with outrage, and He will be lifted up on a tree. The veil of the temple will be rent, and the Spirit of God will descend upon the Gentiles as a fire poured forth. He will rise from the grave, and will ascend from earth into heaven. I know how lowly He will be upon the earth, and how glorious in the heaven.” as translated by Ken Johnson, Ancient Testaments of the Patriarchs, Autobiographies from the Dead Sea Scrolls. Pages 140 – 141
Keep in mind that when Benjamin spoke these words to his children, there had never been a temple for the worship of God, and there was no such thing as crucifixion. The testaments of several patriarchs quoted in the scrolls reveal similar understanding of the first coming of Jesus the Messiah and how He would bring salvation to both Jews and Gentiles.
I was really blessed by reading this book – seeing God’s mercy and faithfulness through the ages.
by Karen S.Roberts
Ancient Testaments of the Patriarchs: Autobiographies from the Dead Sea Scrolls
