Genesis 35:16-29
Benjamin Born, Rachel Dies
Later, they set out from Bethel, and while they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult. During her severe labor, the midwife said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you are having another son.”
And with her last breath—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni. (Ben-oni could mean son of my sorrow or son of my strength.) But his father called him Benjamin. (Benjamin means son of my right hand.) So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). Jacob set up a pillar on her grave; it marks Rachel’s tomb to this day.
The Sons of Jacob (1 Chronicles 2:1-2)
Israel again set out and pitched his tent beyond the Tower of Eder. While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it.
Jacob had twelve sons:
The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin.
The sons of Rachel’s maidservant Bilhah were Dan and Naphtali.
And the sons of Leah’s maidservant Zilpah were Gad and Asher.
These are the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan-aram.
The Death of Isaac
Jacob returned to his father Isaac at Mamre, near Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed. And Isaac lived 180 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.”
Remember when Israel and his company left Haran and Rachel stole the household gods and then lied about it? At that time, Israel was so certain that nobody in his group would have done such a thing that he said anyone found with those gods should die. Now that curse is coming true, and Rachel is dying in childbirth. By the time Jacob/Israel left Haran, he had been married to Rachel and Leah for several years and had eleven sons; yet there is no evidence that he has ever taught any of his family members about the One True Living God. As far as Israel’s family is concerned, Elohim is Israel’s thing, not theirs. That’s why Rachel feels the need to steal the family household gods.
Rachel names her last son Ben-oni meaning, “Son of my sorrow, or Son of my strength,: perhaps because she is giving all her strength for him to live as she dies. But Israel names him Benjamin, meaning “Son of my right hand,” possibly indicating the place Benjamin will have in the family and in Jacob’s heart.
Shortly after Rachel’s death, there is another family tragedy; Reuben, Leah’s first-born, rapes Bilhah, Rachel’s maidservant and Israel’s concubine and the mother of two of his half-brothers. Why should Reuben do such a thing? Is this horrible act a reaction to Israel’s grief over Rachel’s death or to the loving name Israel has given to Benjamin? After all, as the eldest son, Reuben has great expectations of paternal blessings and wealth far above those of his other brothers. Perhaps Reuben fears that Israel will favor Benjamin and that he will lose out. Perhaps Reuben is trying to get his father’s attention. Certainly, Reuben has no respect for either Bilhah or his father; otherwise, he wouldn’t do such a horrible thing. This family’s interpersonal relationships don’t augur well for the future.
Why are these family relationships so messed up? Everything goes back to Jacob/Israel and his lifetime of trickery. Evidently, Israel has never taught his family members any of the lessons he has gained from the results of either his trickery or that of his uncle Laban. Israel has never renounced all the deceit he has practiced; instead, he has kept it to himself in hopes that others have not noticed. Israel has never taught his family anything about the One True Living God. Perhaps Israel has tried to leave all the child rearing to his wives and concubines, not realizing that boys learn their behavioral patterns from their fathers and that he has set a terrible example.
The practice of deceit has blighted this family. Both Abraham and Isaac were willing to sacrifice their wives to save themselves. Then there’s Rebekah, who was willing to deceive Isaac so Jacob could steal Esau’s blessing. And we mustn’t forget tricky Uncle Laban, Rebekah’s brother in Haran, who systematically cheated Jacob changing his wages ten times. Finally there’s Jacob/Israel, who has not only stolen his twin brother’s blessing and his birthright but has also manipulated his sons into wiping out the city of Shechem to avenge the rape of his daughter.
The amazing thing about God’s relationships with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is that He has continued to work in their lives despite their glaring failures. God knows each of us and He knows our weaknesses and our shortcomings; yet, He still loves us anyway. Divine love is truly a miracle and a mystery. At the same time, we must notice that Jacob/Israel’s failings as a husband and father have warped his family’s relationships emotionally and spiritually. If you want peace, don’t deceive!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to walk in Your Truth and not to descend to deceit or manipulation. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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