The Scattered Tribes of Israel
There once was a man named Jacob Israel. Jacob was the father of three tribes, and a wealthy shepherd with a strong flock. Jacob often took long wandering journeys, and one day he went off on one, leaving his flock in the care of the tribes of his three sons. For a time the tribes lived together, but before long they were divided.
First Jephthah, the eldest son, grew tired of herding his sheep and cursed his father Jacob for leaving him with the duties of a shepherd. Selling his portion of the flock, he took his inheritance and went to the city, living without responsibility for a time. When he had his fill of city life, Jephthah saw what he had done and was filled with regret. Returning to his empty field, he built a hovel of dirt and squatted inside, mourning his loss.
Benjamin, Jacob's second son, took the onus of the firstborn after Jephthah left for the city. While he behaved as was fitting for a firstborn, amicably and with a strong hand, Benjamin was afraid for the loss of his flock. Wolves were not uncommon in Jacob's fields, and Jephthah had weakened the fences during his departure. Benjamin was determined to keep them from the sheep, so he built walls and high fences, working on them from sunup to sundown. Meanwhile, the flock grew fewer and fewer. Benjamin sat with his small flock within his high fence and saw it good. "A small flock is good," he thought, "I will be better able to defend them against the wolves waiting outside the fence."
This left Jacob's youngest son, Harim. Harim was full of life and excited to take care of his father's sheep, but inexperienced. He made sure his sheep were fed and happy, but they were also weakened - some of them went without shearing and grew heavy with wool, while others escaped through Harim's makeshift fences. Seeing that his brother Benjamin had strong walls and fences, Harim went to him to ask how to build his own stronger. When he arrived at his brother's fence, Benjamin came to the fence and spoke amicably with him across it, but would not let Harim inside.
"Why must I remain outside your fence?" Harim asked.
"My flock is inside, and I must guard them against wolves," answered Benjamin, "many wolves have come already, and my flock has grown small."
"But I am not a wolf. I am your brother, and I have come for advice," said Harim.
"How do I know you are not a wolf?" asked Benjamin. "You have dark hair and white teeth like a wolf. You eat meat like a wolf. I believe you are a wolf. So I will talk kindly with you, brother, but you may not come inside." Disappointed, Harim went back to his flock and took care of them as best he could without help.
At last, Jacob returned to his estate, and built a large celebration tent in the field of one of his sons. He sent word to each of them, proclaiming his return and inviting them to a celebration feast. Yet, none of them came. So he went to each of them, asking, "Why have you not come to see me? I have set out a wondrous feast, with singing, and dancing, and invited each of your brothers." Once again each of them turned him away, saying, "You are our father and we honor your name, yet we are no longer family. Our hearts were wounded, and have scarred over and become hard. Instead, come into each of our tents and dine with us separately, so that we may honor you."
First Jephthah, the eldest son, grew tired of herding his sheep and cursed his father Jacob for leaving him with the duties of a shepherd. Selling his portion of the flock, he took his inheritance and went to the city, living without responsibility for a time. When he had his fill of city life, Jephthah saw what he had done and was filled with regret. Returning to his empty field, he built a hovel of dirt and squatted inside, mourning his loss.
Benjamin, Jacob's second son, took the onus of the firstborn after Jephthah left for the city. While he behaved as was fitting for a firstborn, amicably and with a strong hand, Benjamin was afraid for the loss of his flock. Wolves were not uncommon in Jacob's fields, and Jephthah had weakened the fences during his departure. Benjamin was determined to keep them from the sheep, so he built walls and high fences, working on them from sunup to sundown. Meanwhile, the flock grew fewer and fewer. Benjamin sat with his small flock within his high fence and saw it good. "A small flock is good," he thought, "I will be better able to defend them against the wolves waiting outside the fence."
This left Jacob's youngest son, Harim. Harim was full of life and excited to take care of his father's sheep, but inexperienced. He made sure his sheep were fed and happy, but they were also weakened - some of them went without shearing and grew heavy with wool, while others escaped through Harim's makeshift fences. Seeing that his brother Benjamin had strong walls and fences, Harim went to him to ask how to build his own stronger. When he arrived at his brother's fence, Benjamin came to the fence and spoke amicably with him across it, but would not let Harim inside.
"Why must I remain outside your fence?" Harim asked.
"My flock is inside, and I must guard them against wolves," answered Benjamin, "many wolves have come already, and my flock has grown small."
"But I am not a wolf. I am your brother, and I have come for advice," said Harim.
"How do I know you are not a wolf?" asked Benjamin. "You have dark hair and white teeth like a wolf. You eat meat like a wolf. I believe you are a wolf. So I will talk kindly with you, brother, but you may not come inside." Disappointed, Harim went back to his flock and took care of them as best he could without help.
At last, Jacob returned to his estate, and built a large celebration tent in the field of one of his sons. He sent word to each of them, proclaiming his return and inviting them to a celebration feast. Yet, none of them came. So he went to each of them, asking, "Why have you not come to see me? I have set out a wondrous feast, with singing, and dancing, and invited each of your brothers." Once again each of them turned him away, saying, "You are our father and we honor your name, yet we are no longer family. Our hearts were wounded, and have scarred over and become hard. Instead, come into each of our tents and dine with us separately, so that we may honor you."