Genesis 35:16-29

I need to confess something! I have been having the hardest time getting back to this study!! Have you ever noticed that when we get out of the habit of daily Bible study or if we skip church for a couple of weeks, it is SO hard to get back! I was thinking that the reason I was having a hard time was because I just wasn’t feeling any inspiration from this chapter – or that I was just having trouble finding time with Don being home all of the time.

But yesterday it struck me that it wasn’t a matter of inspiration – it was a matter of OBEDIENCE! God wants to speak to us DAILY – He is not looking for weekly check-ups or quarterlies or annual reports on how we’re doing. He wants a DAILY, minute-by-minute, present tense relationship with us. And the way He speaks to us is through His timeless Word! I have missed it! So rather than wait for any “inspiration,” I’m going to plow ahead, trusting that He will give me whatever He wants me to glean from this chapter!

Genesis 35 is filled with sorrowful events. In verse 8, we read of the death of Rebekah’s nurse, Deborah. Now Deborah had most likely been with Rebekah since she was a child and had come with her when she married Isaac. This meant she would have been something like a surrogate grandmother to Jacob as he was growing up, so surely this was a huge personal loss to him.

Then soon after Jacob suffers a worse, unexpected loss, when Rachel dies in childbirth. In Genesis 30:1, Rachel pleaded with Jacob, “Give me children or I’ll die!” Indeed, it was in bearing her second son that she DID die:

Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty. And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, “Don’t be afraid, for you have another son.” As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin. So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day that pillar marks Rachel’s tomb. (Gen 35:16-20)

Rachel, the love of Jacob’s life, was gone. With her last breath, she gave her new baby the name Ben-Oni, which means son of my trouble. Jacob (deceiver, conniver, heel-grabber) knew only too well the power of a name to shape a child in negative ways, so he immediately renamed the baby Benjamin, meaning son of my right hand. Good thinking, Jacob! We are given few details, but certainly, Jacob mourned the loss of Rachel!

Just when you think it can’t get any worse, we read of a vile act by Jacob’s firstborn, Reuben:

Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder. While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it. (vs. 21-22)

Are you kidding me? Doesn’t this sound like an episode of Days of Our Lives ?? Now, we aren’t told what motivated Reuben’s act of incest, but Beth Moore speculates that it could have been an act of rebellion and defiance toward Jacob. Possibly Reuben was challenging his father’s authority. Or maybe it was just an impulsive act of lust. It’s interesting to note that Jacob is referred to as Israel in these verses – possibly because he does not react in his old nature. This is not to say that Reuben did not suffer consequences. When the dying Jacob is handing out the patriarchal blessings on his sons (Gen 49:3-4), Reuben is told he would no longer “excel” because of this event.

Finally, with sorrow upon sorrow, Jacob loses his father, Isaac:

Jacob came home to his father Isaac in Mamre, near Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed. Isaac lived a hundred and eighty years. Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him. (vs. 27-29).

I’m struck by the fact that these losses come on the heels of each other, one right after another. It seems like more than one man can bear. Talk about having your life shaken! Yet, we saw at the beginning of this chapter (verses 9-15) that because God knew what was up ahead for Jacob, He appeared to him to encourage him and strengthen him. Note that after each one, we are told that Jacob “moved on.” That is the task of those who mourn, isn’t it?

The other thing that stood out was the fact that so little is said about the details of the death of the patriarch, Isaac. There’s no lengthy obituary or eulogy – no details about the mourning. “…he breathed his last and died…” That’s it! And that reminded me of a treasure of a verse:

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. (Psalm 116:15)

As each of these special loved ones died, leaving Jacob in a heap of sorrow, God was on the other side welcoming them with a “Woo-hoo! You are home at last!” (I don’t know that God would shout “Woo-hoo!”, but I’m certain He is excited to see His own) That is great encouragement when we are grieving. Next Saturday I will be attending the fifth funeral I’ve been to since March. All of these dear people died too young in my mind (29, 35, 58, 63, and 70), and I’m numb with the shock of it all. But I KNOW that God rejoiced to usher them into eternity.

It feels great to be back in God’s Word!!!

Genesis 35:9-15

My goodness, we have a world that is shaking! The stock market is nosediving after the downgrading of U.S. credit; video of rioting and looting and burning in the streets of London and throughout the world is all over the news; we suffered the tragic loss of the 30+ soldiers and Navy Seals this week in Afghanistan; personal friends and family are dealing with catastrophic health issues and the loss of loved ones. Many friends and neighbors are losing their homes to foreclosure. This year we watched in shock as Japan was shaken to its very core by the earthquake and tsunami, political leaders across the Middle East were thrown out, and parts of the U.S. were ripped apart by tornadoes and floods. In Norway we saw scores of people senselessly gunned down by a madman. In Texas they are suffering from a paralyzing drought and excessive, record-setting heat. In Somalia thousands of people are days away from starvation. We just witnessed an appalling lack of political leadership and will as the members of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, once again, refused to do what they need to do - then went on vacation in search of funds for the next election! And Israel stands alone in the middle of enemies who seek to destroy her. What is going on??? Ye gads! LORD, please come quickly!!!

Surely we are in scary times! But this is just what the LORD told us would happen before His return (see Matthew 24 and Luke 21). Could it be far away? One thing is certain: it is closer today than it was yesterday. So, how then do we live? How do we show ourselves to be different from the world? We are to be people of hope. We are to be looking up for our redemption. More than ever we need to claim and demonstrate that peace that passes all understanding. How can we do it? Because our God will never be shaken, therefore, we can remain unshaken! What is it that is currently shaking your world? Is it financial disaster? Marital trouble or even divorce? Cancer? Job loss? The end of a friendship? Take comfort in the following verses:

I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8)

He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken... He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 62:2,6)

And here is the one I love the most:

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10)


Though everything around us is falling apart, He will NEVER be shaken in His love for us! His unfailing love endures forever!!! He does NOT forget His covenants, and in today’s passage from Genesis 35, He reminds Jacob of His covenant with him:

After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” So he named him Israel.


And God said to him, “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will come from your body. The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.” Then God went up from him at the place where he had talked with him.


Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel. (Gen 35:9-15)

Jon Courson points out that in this passage God reminds Jacob that he has been given by God a “personal name,” [going from Jacob, the con man to Israel, the one who struggles with God], he has been promised “personal fame,” [he’ll be fruitful and powerful], and he has been guaranteed the land as a “perpetual claim.” [Don’t you love three-point outlines??? :) ]

Beth Moore notes that Jacob, who has acknowledged at this point that his focus needs to be on the God of the House of God, has been reintroduced in this encounter to God as El Shaddai, or God Almighty. She writes, “A new season is coming in which Jacob would need to know above all things that he was a changed man. He needed to be certain that God was his mighty mountain, and His promises were true. Maybe you need to know the same thing today. No matter what trial rocks your house or what crisis erupts within it, ask the God of your house to stand up and show Himself mighty. He alone builds a house that cannot be moved.” (The Patriarchs, Pg. 162)

Are we in the midst of a new season in our world? It certainly seems so! While it can be scary to see the world as we knew it unravel, we can be completely certain that our God Almighty holds it in His secure hands. He is still in control, He is moving things into place as part of His master plan, and we know that we will not be shaken.

I was looking at a video today of a lone black man in London who was standing up to the looters and calling them out for their hypocrisy. I wondered, would I stand up like that? Then I realized, the time is coming when we will HAVE to stand up. We will have to be courageous - something that is only possible in the strength of the LORD. We need to be preparing our minds and our hearts for the days ahead. We need to put on the whole armor of God DAILY if we are going to be ready, whether for a global crisis or a personal one. 

 

Genesis 35:5-7

I need to take a second to explain why I’ve been so absent this summer! It occurred to me the other day that, since my husband retired in April, this is the FIRST summer in 41 years (when we were dating) that Don and I have both had the summer off together! And it has been so much fun just hanging out together and enjoying a “stay-cation” in beautiful Southern California. Now that he’s retired, there is no money for the fancy vacations, so it’s a good thing we live here! Anyway, we’ve been sailing, kayaking, walking, reading, using gift cards to eat out, watching the sunset from the cliffs at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach, going to the Getty, to the SD Zoo, to baseball games, visiting with family and friends - just having a blast dating again! And we’ve been enjoying the grandkids (pool, circus, beach, sleepovers...)!

I’ve been reminded too many times this year that life is precious and uncertain (just went to a memorial service for a dear friend yesterday - the second memorial service I’ve attended this summer and the fourth this year), so we are not taking a minute for granted. We celebrate our 40th anniversary at the end of the month, and I am amazed that the time has flown by so quickly! Anyway, all this is to say why I have been remiss in my study time with you. Be assured, I am still READING and keeping up with other devotionals - just have not been writing... So sorry!

You’ll be glad to see that I’m only going to focus on three verses today!


Then they set out, and the terror of God fell upon the towns all around them so that no one pursued them.


Jacob and all the people with him came to Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan. There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother. (Gen 35:5-7)

As Jacob and his family moved on and returned to Bethel, the place where he first encountered God in a personal way, note that they were protected on their journey, even though the neighboring people had good reason to attack them. God is our defense! He is our Rock, our Shield, our Fortress - whom shall we fear??? Even if everyone in the world were against us, God is always for us, and that’s all we need!

Now, the thing that jumped out to me about this chapter (thanks to Jon Courson, bless his heart), is what Jacob renames Bethel. He calls it El Bethel, which means The God of Bethel, or, literally, The God of the House of God. As Courson says, this points out a maturing of Jacob’s faith and spiritual understanding. Courson writes, . . .Jacob understands that it’s not the house of God that is important, but the God who dwells therein. So, too, it’s not the worship that’s important, but the God whom we worship. It’s not the Bible that’s important, but the God of the Bible. You see, the Word is not an end in itself. The goal of Bible study is not to try and gain more intellectual or theological understanding. It’s much more than that. The Word of God is simply a door I go through many times a day to meet the God of the Word. (Courson, P.161)

I know we know this intellectually, but so many time we get hung up on the study itself when the purpose of studying should be to get to know God better - not to stuff our heads full of Biblical knowledge. Being somewhat of a Nicodemus myself (see John 3:1-21), I tend to really love the intellectual stimulation of Bible study - for truly it is exciting and challenging and so interesting! And wouldn’t Satan just love it if that’s all it was for me?

It’s not enough to know ABOUT God - even the demons know about Him! That knowledge is NOT what saves us and causes us to grow. It’s the interaction with the God revealed to us in the Bible that matters - getting to know Him more intimately. That is our eternal purpose. In his prayer to His Father, just prior to His arrest, Jesus revealed the key to eternal life:  Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3)  He’s what we need - He’s the Beginning and the End - everything we will ever need and more! He isn’t just the Giver - He’s the Gift!

There is a temptation of losing our focus when we enter the house of God. It’s easy for it to become all about the fellowship with others rather than with God. Or we can be so focused on the worship music that we love (or critique) that we forget about the object of our worship. So, when we go to the House of God, we need to remain focused on the God of the House of God! Jacob had finally learned this! And he built an altar there to worship the God who had made Himself known to Jacob when he was at a moment of great need. I have a new resolve today to come to the study of His Word seeking the Word Himself - and praying that way as I begin. LORD, I don’t just want to know ABOUT You - I want to KNOW YOU!

Genesis 35:1-4

What we saw in chapter 34 was a family catastrophe that Beth Moore describes as a volcanic eruption. She says, and I agree, that the eruption from within was not Dinah’s rape, but the “homicidal rage” of the brothers that made Jacob’s family “stink to high heaven.” This precipitated the need for a move – for a new start in new surroundings. Beth writes, “ All sorts of scenarios can constitute eruption in a seemingly solid family: the sudden exposure of an extramarital affair, a teen pregnancy, or the DUI of a trusted family member. Even a call from a principal’s office informing a parent that a child was caught cheating on a test can feel like an eruption.” (The Partiarchs, P.160)

Indeed, these kinds of things may often lead to some kind of major move. In this case, it’s interesting that the idea for the move seems to come from God:

Then God said to Jacob, “Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau.” (Gen 35:1)

Jon Courson, in his commentary, focuses on God’s response to Jacob. He notes that God does not say to Jacob – “You have blown it! I’m setting you aside and canceling all of my promises!” Nor does He tell Jacob to go through a bunch of religious rituals in order to make atonement. Instead, our God of unlimited mercy and grace calls Jacob to get up and go back to where it all began – to where he first met the God of his fathers – to where he was essentially “saved.” He tells Jacob to go to Bethel.

So Jacob immediately turns to his family and tells them it’s time to clean up their act:

So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.” (vs. 2-3)

Now the thing that Jon Courson points out here, that I just love, is that Jacob doesn’t ask his family to clean up in order to please God. Read what he writes:

Notice God didn’t say to Jacob, “If you deal with the pagan gods in your family, then I might give you a second chance.” No, God said, “Rise and let us go to Bethel.” [KJV] Perhaps it was because Jacob was so amazed by this that he said, “It’s time to clean up – not so God will call us, but because He has called us.” (Old Testament Commentary, Volume 1, P. 160)

That is the appropriate response to grace! We obey not to gain His love, but in response to His love (I John 4:19). It’s not what we give up that causes God to call us, rather His call on our lives causes us to pull away from the world with its distractions and pagan “gods.”

I don’t know about you, but this so excites me! We have just seen Jacob’s family commit genocide on the Shechemites, and yet God still offers this family His love and grace! God is not through with this family; He’s only just beginning His work in them.  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) It never ceases to amaze me!