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January 1, 2014 This second half of Genesis 35 and all of chapter 36 are often overlooked because they dont seem to have a lot of content. As I studied this week I had a terrible time and was tempted more than once to skip over them to get to the good stuff in chapter 37. But we know that all these words are here for our learning and none of them are unnecessary. We couldnt say weve studied to show ourselves approved if we dont even try. And so were going to have a look. Now, there are a couple basic rules we need to follow for this to be right: 1. We need to try and understand how this might have been interpreted by the original hearer. These were the great-grandchildren of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They were very close to entering into the Promised Land, which means they were very close to going into battle. They needed to see that God had not only made a promise but also that He would make sure that that promise was fulfilled. So whatever conclusions we draw, they have to make sense from that perspective. 2. We need to try and understand the spiritual message that points to Christ and His promise to His Bride. This passage does teach a little history and does satisfy some curiosity and there is a little to do application, but the primary purpose is to reveal Gods plan for His people. To understand this well have to identify the main point and then compare that theme with the New Testament. To do this were going to start by looking at the context. Jacob settled in Shechem where his daughter, Dinah, was defiled by the prince. Simeon and Levi killed him and the rest of the men of his city and Jacob feared retribution. But God told Jacob in 35:1 to go to Bethel and an emphasis is put on the fact that it was the place where God had answered Jacob when he was afraid of Esau. Jacob went there and built an altar, but then Deborah, Rebekahs nurse, died and was buried. The occasion was sad enough that the place was named oak of weeping. Well, in verses 9-15 God appeared to Jacob again and blessed him: And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel. 11And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; 12And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land. 13And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him. 14And
Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon. 15And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel. This is a promise by God Almighty. He can and will keep His promise. Be fruitful and multiply is how Abraham will have more descendants than there are stars in the sky. Nations and kings would come through him and the Israelites will inherit all this land. So Jacob sets up a pillar as a way to remember and hes going to need it: And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. 17And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. 18And 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. 19And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. 20And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachels grave unto this day. 21And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar. 22And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his fathers concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: 23The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacobs firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun: 24The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin: 25And the sons of Bilhah, Rachels handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali: 26And the sons of Zilpah, Leahs handmaid: Gad, and Asher: these are the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padanaram. 27And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned. 28And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years. 29 And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him. Its sort of a strange telling of Jacobs life at this point. Were told in great detail about how he tricked Esau and Isaac. We know that he shaved sticks to get more animals from Laban. He removed a stone from a well to meet Rachel. And then boom, boom, boom: there are three huge things that barely get mentioned. The next chapter is about Esau and then theres another tragedy for Jacob when Joseph supposedly dies. And then Benjamin gets taken by some Egyptian tyrant. What a strange way to follow up being blessed by God Almighty!
But this is something useful for the early reader, is it not? Jacob was in the land; he was right where God wanted him, and yet he still continued to suffer. The Israelites who came after him would also suffer many tragedies. Those who truly walked in the same faith as Abraham would have to know that there was more to the Promised Land than what they could see at the time. They too would have to wait in hope for the permanent city made by God. Until then they would no doubt suffer all the consequences brought on by Adams fall. But even in all this hardship there would be comfort: Jacob loses his wife but gains a son. She names him son of my sorrow but he changes his name to son of my right hand. And indeed, Benjamin is a source of comfort to him in the years to come. Isaac dies but only after being old and full of days. Reubens betrayal must have been heartbreaking, but consider that God stopped Pharaoh and Abimelech and He could have stopped Reuben. All their trials were according to the plan of God and He would see them through. We know today that Reubens loss was Judahs and Josephs gain. Together they portray Christ and the church (which well discuss when we get to chapter 49). Clearly, this also applies to us today. These all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect (Heb. 11:39-40). We too know that there will be pain as long as we live in these tents. We too know that suffering doesnt mean were out of Gods will. We know that He is in control and that whatever happens, it really is for our good. And so, like the true Israelites before us, we know not to get too attached to this world. We too know that we have to wait on all Gods people before well be made complete. In the meantime the Esaus of the world will rise in power and mix together (Genesis 36) but we remain separate as those called out. Their hope is in their strength and possessions but ours is in our God: Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: 2Both low and high, rich and poor, together. 3My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. 4I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp. 5Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about? 6They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; 7None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: 8(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) 9That he should
still live for ever, and not see corruption. 10For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. 11Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. 12Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. 13This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah. 14Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. 15But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. 16Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; 17For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. 18Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. 19He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. 20Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish (Ps. 49:1-20). newgracebaptistchurch.wordpress.com