Genesis Part 056
Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife, dies while giving birth to her second son. A moment that is meant to be exciting and a blessing is so terribly marked by the enemy, death.
The Biblical narratives contain stories of triumph and tragedy. To know God and obey Him does not pardon one from life’s challenges, difficulties, and moments of sorrow. God shares that we will suffer as we obey Him, yet we learn that there is meaning in our suffering and that God gives us learning opportunities. We might even get to the place described in James 1:2, where we
“count it all joy when [we] fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of [our] faith produces patience.”
Patience is part of the holy righteous character that God is developing in His sons and daughters.
In Genesis 35:18, we read about a tragedy in the life of Jacob. Rachael is giving birth to her second son. It was a hard labor, and the complications are leading to her death. As Rachel is dying, she names her son Benoni, meaning “son of my sorrow,” but Jacob calls him Benjamin, meaning “son of the right hand.” Adam Clarke’s commentary says that the intended meaning of “son of the right hand” is “the son peculiarly dear to me” and signifies someone who is very loved and regarded.
The UCG commentary adds this as well: “We are also told in chapter 35 of the death of Rachel in giving birth to Benjamin and her burial at Bethlehem. This tragic event is followed by the shameful incident in which Reuben defiles his father’s bed by sleeping with Bilhah, the mother of his brothers, Dan and Naphtali. Reuben was Jacob’s firstborn by Leah, which bestowed on him the double-portion birthright inheritance. Yet as just mentioned, the birthright would actually pass to the sons of Joseph. According to 1 Chronicles 5:1–2, this sin of Reuben is what caused Israel to give the birthright to Joseph instead. So not only was this a sin of defilement and adultery, but it also had long-lasting consequences on future events, determining the ultimate recipients of the promises of wealth God made to Abraham.”
In verses 23–26, we see that with the birth of Benjamin, Jacob had 12 sons and 1 daughter. Jacob then reunites with his father in verse 27. His father Isaac would live another 15 years or so before dying at the age of 180.
When Isaac died, Esau and Jacob came together again to bury him with his father, mother, and wife—that is, Abraham, Sarah, and Rebekah—at the cave of Machpelah (compare Genesis 49:31). Leah and Jacob would later be buried there also (49:29–50:13).
These biblical characters had lives filled with difficulties, trials, and triumphs. God worked through these events and the natural strengths and weaknesses of the individuals involved to shape and develop them. We can learn to trust God as He does the same with us and others in our lives.
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships, and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
