Tag: Rachel

The Dreamer

January 25, 2020

Jacob and his family return to Bethel after God tells him to in Genesis chapter thirty-five. Jehovah once again reminds him that his new name is Israel and that he will produce nations and kings and populate this land as promised to his father and grandfather.

Rachel dies as her second son is born. The name she gives him is the son of my trouble while his father calls him Benjamin which means son of my right hand. This gives us the fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel.

The chapter ends with the death of Isaac and his burial by both of his sons. The path of this people group is beginning.

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Genesis 36 is another of those genealogies that can be boring reading.  Keep in mind that these are some of the people that will become enemies of the Israelites.  These are other kingdoms that came from Abraham and Isaac.  Verses 31 to 39 give a list of the kings.  These names will appear again as we get into Joshua, Judges, and other books.

We begin the story of Joseph in Genesis chapter 37 when we first read of his dreams.  As a younger brother even, I was smart enough not to tell my brothers something that would make them hate me.  It was probably this story that gave me that wisdom.

Both dreams indicate where Joseph will eventually be.  He will be a leader.  Currently, it seems unlikely.  When they can, they plot his death but settle for selling him as a slave.  The story that Israel believes about his death is better than admitting they sold him.  Tomorrow we read about his time with Potiphar.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

When a woman can’t get pregnant

January 23, 2020

A question to ask about Genesis 30 is, “Does God determine whether a couple can or cannot have a child?” If He does, what criteria does He use?  I know it can’t be whether you will be a good parent or have a healthy marriage.

Twelve children are born into Jacob’s family through the four women.  Leah stays in the lead by number, but not by love.  One daughter is mentioned, and the rest are sons.  Only Joseph is by Rachel.  This will play a factor later.

The last of our selection tells how Jacob deceived his father-in-law and increased his flocks while decreasing Laban’s.  Human nature is very active in the soon to be the Hebrew nation.

If Jacob is to be the son that carries the promise of possessing the land Abraham and Isaac were promised Genesis 31 tells us that God instructs him to return.  The animosity between Laban and his men and his son-in-law has grown to a dangerous pitch.  In justifying the move to his wives God’s chosen one does not explain the reason why spotted and striped animals outnumbered light colors.

We are not told why Rachel stole her Father’s idols.  They may have been valuable, or it might be spite or sentimental value.  We don’t know.  Jacob makes a dangerous statement about killing the thief if there is one.  Rachel has learned from her Father and Husband and moves the stolen goods while the search is on.

When nothing is found a truce is arranged and the two go their own ways.  Laban refers not only to Jehovah as the God of Abraham but also of Naho, Abraham’s father who was the first to start for Canaan.  He is the common ancestor of the two clans.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger