Jacob returns to Bethel in obedience to God. He builds an altar andclaims the place in the name of his God. - P88
The Lord appears to Jacob, reminding him
of the promise to his ancestors to make them into a greatnation that will possess the land of Canaan. - P88
God also reminds Jacobof the significant change that has occurred in his life: he is no longerJacob the deceiver, but Israel, the one who wrestles with God. - P88
Similarly,
we have a new life and identity in Christ. We are delivered from thedeceitfulness of sin and called to diligently seek God‘slives and for those whom God has entrusted to our care. - P88
Lord God, whatever sacrifices need to be made, whatever price needs to bepaid, grant me the courage to follow You wherever You lead. - P88
May my heart besteadfast and pure as I seek Your will. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P88
17 And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth,
the midwife said to her, "Don‘t despair, for you haveanother son." - P92
18 As she breathed her last-for she was dying-shenamed her son Ben-Oni. But his father named himBenjamin. 19 So Rachel died and was buried on theway to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).
18 Rachel was about to die, but with her last breath she named the baby Ben-oni (whichmeans "son of my sorrow"). The baby‘s father, however, called him Benjamin (whichmeans "son of my right hand"). 19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath(that is, Bethlehem). - P92
22 While Israel was living in that region, Reuben wentin and slept with his father‘s concubine Bilhah, andIsrael heard of it. Jacob had twelve sons: - P92
23 The sons of Leah: Reuben the firstborn of Jacob,
Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun.
24 The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. 25 Thesons of Rachel‘s servant Bilhah: Dan and Naphtali.
26 The sons of Leah‘s servant Zilpah: Gad and Asher.
These were the sons of Jacob, who were born to him inPaddan Aram.
- P93
Death is a part of life. It is never convenient or pleasant, but just asHe did for Jacob and countless others, God can and does enable us tocontinue our journey of faith even through the valley of the shadow ofdeath. - P94
Jacob‘s beloved wife, Rachel, dies in childbirth. With her dyingbreath, she names the child Ben-Oni, "son of my trouble." - P94
But Jacobrenames him Benjamin, "son of my right hand." Rachel was Jacob‘sright hand, and now Benjamin will serve as a reminder of his oncebarren wife, whom God, in His time and way, blessed with children.
- P95
After Rachel‘s death, Israel journeys on and reunites with Esau to burytheir father, Isaac, who has also died. - P94
Even when beloved people in ourlives die, God is still actively working to lead us to the next chapter of our journey with Him. - P94
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