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Text: Genesis 35
There is a song we sing with the refrain, I’ve a home beyond the river. This chapter is littered with reminders in Jacob’s life that there is so much more planned for him and his family.
God says to go back home (vss 1-5)
- Put away your gods – 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. 9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
- Be clean
- Change your garments
Deborah’s death (vss 6-8)
- Rebekah, Jacob’s mom, loved Jacob more than Esau. She sent her nurse to be with Jacob, not Esau.
- Some of mom’s beloved friends die and it’s a reminder of this present evil world.
Jacob is reminded of his new name (vss 9-15)
- Promises renewed
- Israel is the new name given to Jacob
Benjamin’s birth/Rachel’s death (vss 16-20)
- Rachel must’ve been very young when she died. At most in her 40s?
- This explains why Jacob treated Joseph the way he did as he was the firstborn son between him and the woman that he originally loved, Rachel.
Reuben is disqualified from carrying the seed (vss 21-26)
- This is mentioned because Simeon and Levi have already been disqualified from carrying the seed. So now you’re told why Ruben will not carry the seed.
- This one instance is a characteristic of his life that defines his unstable ways.
Isaac’s death (vss 27-29)
- Isaac is 180 years old when he dies. He’s lived a long time. He’s been very blessed.
- Now, Jacob is the only living patriarch. His life is a deep mixture of wonderful hope and grief.
