Chapter 35 | Pastor Daniel & Caitlyn

Israel (used to be Jacob) and his family are finally back at Bethel. If you haven’t listened to this past Sunday’s message, now would be a good time to get up to speed. Check us out on Facebook or YouTube to listen. Our passage for today is Genesis 35:16-29. Go ahead and read it now. You will quickly see that four major things happen:

-       Rachel gives Jacob another son (Making the 12th boy)

-       Rachel dies

-       Reuben has sex with Zilpah, one of Jacob’s baby mommas

-       Isaac dies at 180 years old

Since last week’s message, Israel has turned a new leaf. That second encounter at Bethel seemed to push Jacob into walking as Israel. We see this as Rachel, his love, is passing away. As she is taking her last few breaths, Rachel names her son, Benoni. At first glance, this might seem like a good name, but the meaning is terrible. It means “Son of my sorrow”. Jacob, no longer passively leading his family, steps in and says, “We are going to name him Benjamin.” Benjamin means “Son of my right hand.” We are seeing a firsthand account of sanctification in the Old Testament. As time moves on, Israel begins walking in his new name. We, too, can be certain that while we aren’t perfect, we do have a promise that God will finish the work he has started in us.[1]

While Israel is steadily changing, we see Reuben commit a heinous sin against his father and his entire family by having sex with Zilpah. The passage tells us that Israel finds out about it, but we don’t fully know the result of his finding out. Whoever came up with the perfect, idealistic family did not read the Bible. We see this time and time again. No family is without its issues, yet God still uses broken families to fulfill his purposes.

Through the mistakes. Through the struggles, the trials, and the name change, Israel is steadily walking towards the promises that God has promised it. As Isaac takes his last breath, we see the passing of a generation, and we see the emergence of the twelve tribes of Israel. We are reminded yet again that of all the patriarchs, none of them were able to live that perfect life and get it all right. But, one day, from the lineage of Israel, just as God promised, would emerge a Messiah who would live a perfect life. He would be the ultimate fulfillment. So much so that when we have Him, we have everything.

This is the Bible. Every word on every page whispers the name Jesus.

By Pastor Daniel & Ciatlyn Weeks

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[1] Philippians 1:6. ESV.