Travail and Triumph

“Rachel travailed, and she had hard labor… And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin” (Genesis 35:16-18).  “Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” (Proverbs 20:9).  “In [Christ] are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge…  And you, being dead in your sins… hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.  And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:2-15). 

As Rachel died in her travail

She named her son who came to birth,

And in this name we should not fail

To see our Lord who came to earth. 

Benoni was his name at first,

The “son” begotten “of my sorrow,”

Reflecting Christ for sinners cursed

For blessings none could buy or borrow.

His father called him Benjamin,

Which means “the son of my right hand,”

For Christ, who took away our sin,

Would rise and in His triumph stand. 

Now only those who trust in Christ

Can thus be cleansed by His salvation,

For He alone was sacrificed

To rescue us from condemnation.

He bore our curse upon His cross

Where all our sins were by Him nailed.

To save our souls from endless loss,

He triumphed after He travailed.

He spoiled principalities

Who fought against Him all the way.

He conquered all our enemies

And put His triumph on display! 

O Lord, we contemplate Your pain,

Yet celebrate Your triumph too!

The treasures that we thereby gain

Are altogether found in You! 

Lord, thank You for Your love for us

Enduring sorrow in this place

That we might dwell with You above

And triumph in Your saving grace!