JOY AND TRAGEDY IN JACOB'S FAMILY

Passage: Genesis 35:16-29

Key verse: 18b

NIV

The Deaths of Rachel and Isaac(A)

16 Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath,(B) Rachel(C) began to give birth and had great difficulty. 17 And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife(D) said to her, “Don’t despair, for you have another son.”(E) 18 As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni.[a](F) But his father named him Benjamin.[b](G)

19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath(H) (that is, Bethlehem(I)). 20 Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day(J) that pillar marks Rachel’s tomb.(K)

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

Jacob had twelve sons:

23 The sons of Leah:(O)

Reuben the firstborn(P) of Jacob,

Simeon, Levi, Judah,(Q) Issachar and Zebulun.(R)

24 The sons of Rachel:

Joseph(S) and Benjamin.(T)

25 The sons of Rachel’s servant Bilhah:(U)

Dan and Naphtali.(V)

26 The sons of Leah’s servant Zilpah:(W)

Gad(X) and Asher.(Y)

These were the sons of Jacob,(Z) who were born to him in Paddan Aram.(AA)

27 Jacob came home to his father Isaac(AB) in Mamre,(AC) near Kiriath Arba(AD) (that is, Hebron),(AE) where Abraham and Isaac had stayed.(AF) 28 Isaac lived a hundred and eighty years.(AG) 29 Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people,(AH) old and full of years.(AI) And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.(AJ)

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Footnotes
  1. Genesis 35:18 Ben-Oni means son of my trouble.
  2. Genesis 35:18 Benjamin means son of my right hand.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Deaths of Rachel and Isaac

16 Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance[a] from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor. 17 And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for (A)you have another son.” 18 And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni;[b] (B)but his father called him Benjamin.[c] 19 So (C)Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to (D)Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), 20 and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is (E)the pillar of Rachel's tomb, which is there to this day. 21 Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

22 While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and (F)lay with Bilhah his father's concubine. And Israel heard of it.

Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. 23 The sons of Leah: (G)Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. 24 The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. 25 The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant: Dan and Naphtali. 26 The sons of Zilpah, Leah's servant: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram.

27 And Jacob came to his father Isaac at (H)Mamre, or (I)Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had sojourned. 28 Now the days of Isaac were 180 years. 29 And Isaac breathed his last, and he died (J)and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. And (K)his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

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Footnotes
  1. Genesis 35:16 Or about two hours' distance
  2. Genesis 35:18 Ben-oni could mean son of my sorrow, or son of my strength
  3. Genesis 35:18 Benjamin means son of the right hand
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Benjamin's birth--Rachel's death (16-19)

A commitment to God does not guarantee an easy, trouble-free life. Jacob was changed to Israel, but the seeds sown during his life of struggle with men were still there to bear bitter fruit. Rachel was not satisfied with one son; she wanted another (3

:24). God granted her desire, and Benjamin was born. But her ambition cost her life. With her dying breath she named her son, 'trouble.' But Jacob accepted him and called him, 'son of my right hand.'

2. Reuben's sin; Isaac's death (22-29)

Jacob was sad when Simeon and Levi acted in violence. Now, Jacob's firstborn Reuben committed a grave sin that cost him his birthright as the eldest son (Ge 49:1-7). The three oldest sons were disqualified, so the birthright went to Judah. Jacob and Esau made peace as they buried their father together. Isaac's death and Esau's genealogy (36) marked the end of a period of history.

Prayer: Lord, help me to remember your grace in times of joy and sorrow.

One Word: The God of history is our God