Slices
Prepare
Invite God to renew his call on your life.
Bible passage
The deaths of Rachel and Isaac
16 Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty. 17 And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, ‘Don’t despair, for you have another son.’ 18 As she breathed her last – for she was dying – she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin.
19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 20 Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day that pillar marks Rachel’s tomb.
21 Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder. 22 While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it.
Jacob had twelve sons:
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 The sons 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 in Paddan Aram.
27 Jacob came home to his father Isaac in Mamre, near Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed. 28 Isaac lived a hundred and eighty years. 29 Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
Explore
Here’s a glimpse into the future. We have met these names before and have noted that they will become familiar as the tribes of Israel who will later enter the Promised Land and from whom will come the Saviour not just of Israel but of the whole world. (It’s worth noting that when the land is divided, Levi, having become the priestly tribe, has no land allotted while Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh both receive land.) The promise to Abraham, renewed to Jacob, is fulfilled in the people of Israel but receives its ultimate fulfilment in Jesus (Galatians 3:16), through whose death and resurrection the whole world is blessed.
There is pain. Rachel the beloved wife dies. Benjamin has a special place in his father’s heart – Jacob too readily has favourites, an attitude which leads to trouble (37:4). Reuben has sex with Bilhah – an action which will have far‑reaching consequences (49:3,4). Isaac dies, but his death brings about a further reconciliation between Jacob and Esau. The brokenness of the world is evident.
We are invited to see our place in God’s ongoing plan for the world. Although separated from Jacob by hundreds of years, we stand in the same purpose of God – to redeem fallen humanity, restore a broken world and form a new community of people who will bear witness to his deeds.
Respond
Thank God that in Jesus, he is making all things new. Ask what you can do to share this good news.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Proverbs 17,18; Psalm 91
Pray for Scripture Union
Give thanks for the news that many of the youngest generations are seeking more of God and his Word, and even turning up at churches.
