Genesis 35:16–22

Genesis 35:16–22

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Death of Rachel

16 Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor. 17 Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, “Do not fear; you will have this son also.” 18 And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin. 19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 20 And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day.

21 Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder. 22 And it happened, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine; and Israel heard about it..

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Ge 35:16–22

• Transcript

  Almost there. Perfect. Well, good morning afternoon. Good afternoon. Welcome to Coffee and devotions. This is where every weekday morning you and I are supposed to get together. We're supposed to have coffee. We're supposed to get into God's word. And we've grown our love for the Lord together. But yesterday I had to go to Atlanta. And I didn't get so I was off at 3am out the door, and I just got home at about 8am this morning and was busy busy working this morning. So I'm sorry that I'm just getting on here now. But I'm glad to be with you. Let's get into well, I don't even have coffee. But I'm glad we have our Bibles. Let's pray and we'll get into God's Word. Lord, we thank you so much for this day. We thank You for Your Word. And we pray God that as we read your word that you would care for us we pray that you would let us understand this part of the history of redemption, and that you would let us know who you are. In Jesus's name, Amen. All right, so we are at Genesis chapter 35, beginning at verse 16, as a shorter one today let's go ahead and get into God's word. Then they journeyed from Bethel and when there was been a little distance to go to F thrugh, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor Now it came to pass when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her Do not fear you will have this son also. And so it was as her soul was departing, for she died that she called his name been owning by his father called him Binyomin. So Rachel died and was buried on the way to F thrugh. That is Bethlehem and Jacob set a pillar on her grave which is a pillar of Rachel's grave to this day. Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of editor. And it happened when Israel dwelt in that land that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine in Israel heard about it. We have to two very sad stories. Right, we've, we've that we've come to a new point in Jacob's life, like maybe things were turning a corner, like things are gonna get better, like he's gonna get better and his life is gonna get better. He's wrestled with God and He's gotten the blessing. He's come face to face with his brother and it seems like he's gonna get to go home. And then his wife, the wife, whom Jacob loved the wife whom he worked 14 years to marry. She dies giving birth to her second son. her firstborn son was Joseph now she has another son and as they are in the land of Canaan. As they're traveling, she has a son. Her midwife tries to encourage her Do not fear for you will also have this son. But she knows her souls departing and then they're in verse 18. She calls him Ben only son of my sorrow. But Jacob jumps in here and he says, no, no, no, no, she's not son of your sorrow, love. He's going to be Binyomin son of the right hand. It's gonna be my right hand, man. He's gonna have a place. He's not son of your sorrow, but he's the son of your strength. I'm gonna love him and take care. Of him. She gives heart is torn. He sets up a pillar, a tombstone, if you will, a memorial to her to the woman that he worked for for seven years, but it was as but a day because he loved her. Death is real. Sin is real. He loved Rachel. And now she's gone. God made them into a great nation. But yeah, they're still a pain and they're still sorrow and then something devastating happens. Reuben, his firstborn, then Israel. Israel, by the way, is his new name. Notice it's no longer calling God is no longer calling him Jacob But Israel. And then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of etre. And it happened when Israel dwelt in that tent that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine. And Ezreal heard about it. Ruben, his firstborn son goes and he sleeps with his father's woman he goes any to files his father's bed in this land of Canaan Israel's life is turned upside down. his firstborn son the trees the files himself the files his family to files his father to files his father's concubine. And the wife whom he dearly loves, is gone. Why would God Why would God give us a story well, part of it we're gonna talk about tomorrow. Because death and sin are real. It's not it's not just Jacob, who's sinful. It's not just Jayco who has who has somehow you know? swindled and tricked his brother and then God interacts with him God, guilt still gives them the blessing and like also, everything is just okay. That's not how the story goes. If somebody tries to sell you that bill of goods that if you become a Christian, somehow you're not going to have any sorrow. You're not going to have any pain. People aren't gonna sit against you. Everything's gonna be great in your life. You're gonna be healthy, you're gonna be happy, you're gonna be wealthy, you're gonna be wise. They're lying to you. And I love you. I love especially the Christians of this congregation. Too much to tell you a lie. Sometimes, the Lord is going to fulfill his promises. But you're also going to face and taste the sting of death. And sometimes, you might even see your offspring succumb to sin and even sin against you. Your own flesh and bone. harm you hurt you turn from you. Because we live in a sinful world. See, the story of redemption isn't in a vacuum dealing with perfect people, but the story of redemption is the book opens up into real life. This is one of the things that I have a love hate relationship with the Bible. I love God's word. Oh, how I love your word. It is my meditation all the day, right? I love it. But yet the content sometimes is hard because if it was anybody other than God who wrote this, it would be worse than a Russian depressive novel. Tells us stories that aren't easy for us to hear. Because it's writing about real life, that God is accomplishing His plan of redemption in real history. He is going to keep his promises to Abraham. But Satan is still going to buy his heel. But the Lord will crush his head. This is this constant story. So what's the best verse to underline this? Well, I think in my Bible I have verse 18. That I would underline and I would also underline verse 22. Those are really kind of two different stories but they're both his welcome. Oh, he's got Levi and Simeon who've done this to the to shampoo Shamgar and his dad and now now we got this the story. It's not really going so great. In the land of Canaan, so far is it it's God's appearing to him and God's talking to him, but temporarily things are pretty tough. Well, I think we've already had see calling, right don't be surprised when life is still hard for you. I'm sure that you are struggling with things even now even today in your own life. Don't think that somehow God's forgotten the promises somehow everything is wrong and you should question your whole life or your whole faith. No, God gives us true stories. Right in a point of the redemptive story here to show us that he is still at work even though it seems like we live in the flow and in the air bus history that's Well, it's kind of like driving down a road with potholes all the time. You're gonna eventually get there but it might be a bumpy ride. Claim to faith, keep your eyes ahead. Stay on the straight and narrow. Focus on Christ. care for one another. And you'll get to the final destination. Let's pray. Father we know that you are the one who cares for us. You are the one who keeps us you are the one who is working in history in both creation and Providence. Lord, we pray that you would please work in our hearts to trust you. even when there's turbulence As we go through this passive path of life, In Jesus's name, Amen. Well made that great shepherd of the sheep. keep watch over your soul, and I'll see you tomorrow. Bye. Transcribed by https://otter.ai