Village Schools of the Bible

Genesis: A Devotional Study
by Max Frazier, Jr

This time we want to return to the continuing saga of the patriarch Jacob and follow him as he completes his journey home after living in Haran for twenty years. During that time he has married two sisters, gained two concubines, and had 11 sons and 1 daughter. He has had an encounter with God that dramatically changed his life, and even his name. He has met his estranged brother Esau and what had been feared for over 20 years never came to pass. God was at work.

Now, as we conclude the journey in Genesis 35, we see Jacob returning to Bethel, the place where God had promised him the blessings 20 years previous, and then struggle as he witnesses the birth of his last son and the death of his beloved wife Rachel.

Genesis 35

Key Words: "God blessed him"; "Bethel"

Key Verse: In verse 3 we again see Jacob acknowledging the presence of God in his life.

Purpose Statement: This chapter reaffirms the covenant with Jacob. It includes the promise of people and the land. The cycle of Jacob is now complete as he returns to Bethel.

Outline: Jacob's Return Home

I. Jacob at Bethel (vs. 1-15)
A. God's command to return to Bethel (vs. 1)
B. Renewal in Jacob's camp - getting rid of the idols (vs. 2-5)
C. Journey to Bethel (vs. 6-8)
D. Jacob's name changed to Israel (vs. 9-10)
E. God's promises to Jacob (vs. 11-13)
F. Jacob builds an altar (vs. 14-15)
II. Death of Rachel (vs. 16-20)
III. Sin of Reuben (vs. 21-22)
IV. Jacob's family (vs. 23-26)
V. Death of Isaac (vs. 27-29)

Thoughts to Ponder: How wonderful to return to Bethel, the place of God's promises. Throughout Scripture we read of men and women of God returning to those places where God had intervened in their lives in a very special way. The return to Bethel was a source of encouragement to Jacob as God reaffirmed to him the precious promises. Praise God for the "Bethels" in my life.

Only God can change a man from being a deceiver into a prince of God. Had Jacob done anything to earn this change in name? No! It was all of God's grace. But is that not true for us as well. God may not literally change our names, as he did Jacob's, but He changes our lives. And it is based on nothing that we deserve. It is all of God's grace. Praise God for this priceless gift.

Study Notes: Jacob and Esau were 120 when their father died (Genesis 25:26). Isaac lived five years longer than did his father Abraham (Genesis 25:7)

What a difference a name makes. Rachel, in her dying moments, named her newborn son, Ben-Oni, meaning "son of my trouble." However, his father renamed him Benjamin, "son of my right hand." This chapter also tells of God changing Jacob's name to Israel. Praise God that He has given us a new name as we have come to know Him.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: When you let your dreams die, something dies within you. (Denson Franklin)

Genesis 34 Return to Table of Contents Genesis 36-37