Genesis 35 recounts Jacob's transformative journey to Bethel, marked by redemption, covenant reaffirmation, and a divine encounter.
Genesis 35 unfolds a pivotal chapter in the life of Jacob, marked by a journey of renewal, reconciliation, and divine encounter. After the tumultuous events in Genesis 34, including the violation of Dinah and the subsequent retribution, Jacob receives a divine call to return to Bethel. This chapter delves into themes of repentance, restoration, and the reaffirmation of God's covenant promises. As we explore the verses of Genesis 35, we witness the transformative power of God's grace in the midst of human frailty and failure.
Divine Instruction to Return to Bethel
Genesis 35:1-4 (KJV): "And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother. Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went. And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem."
Following the events in Genesis 34, God instructs Jacob to return to Bethel, the place of his earlier encounter with God. Jacob responds by commanding his household to put away their foreign gods and purify themselves. The act of putting away foreign gods symbolizes a turning away from idolatry and a renewed commitment to the one true God.
Journey and Fear of the Lord
Genesis 35:5-7 (KJV): "And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob. So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, that is, Bethel, he and all the people that were with him. And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother."
As Jacob and his household embark on the journey to Bethel, the terror of God falls upon the surrounding cities, preventing pursuit. Arriving in Bethel, Jacob builds an altar and names the place Elbethel, signifying God's appearance to him at this location during a moment of great distress. This renaming underscores the significance of the encounter and marks a renewed commitment to the God of Bethel.
Renewal of the Covenant
Genesis 35:8-15 (KJV): "But Deborah, Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth. And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him. And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel. And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land. And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him. And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon. And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel."
During this sacred moment at Bethel, God blesses Jacob and reaffirms the covenant with him. God changes Jacob's name to Israel, signifying a transformation in his identity and role in the divine plan. The promise of land and descendants, initially given to Abraham and Isaac, is now confirmed to Jacob, who sets up a pillar, pours offerings, and names the place Bethel, emphasizing its significance as a house of God.
Rachel's Death and Benjamin's Birth
Genesis 35:16-20 (KJV): "And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day."
As Jacob and his household journey from Bethel, tragedy strikes as Rachel goes into labor. Despite the difficult childbirth, she gives birth to a son. In her final moments, Rachel names him Benoni, meaning "son of my sorrow," but Jacob changes it to Benjamin, meaning "son of the right hand." Rachel dies and is buried near Bethlehem, and Jacob erects a pillar at her grave, marking a poignant moment in their journey.
Jacob's Twelve Sons
Genesis 35:21-26 (KJV): "And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar. And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it."
Jacob continues his journey, setting up his tent near the tower of Edar. However, a distressing incident occurs when Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, commits a grievous act by lying with Bilhah, his father's concubine. This sinful act disrupts the family dynamics and foreshadows future challenges within the family of Israel.
Jacob's Return to Isaac
Genesis 35:27-29 (KJV): "And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned. And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years. And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him."
The narrative concludes with Jacob's return to Hebron, reuniting with his father Isaac, who lives to the age of 180. Isaac passes away, and both Esau and Jacob bury him, symbolizing a moment of familial unity despite past conflicts.
Conclusion
Genesis 35 presents a transformative chapter in Jacob's life, marked by a divine call to return to Bethel. In this journey of renewal, Jacob experiences the forgiveness of God, a reaffirmation of the covenant, and a change in identity. The significance of Bethel as a place of encounter with the divine underscores the theme of repentance, restoration, and the ever-present grace of God.
The renaming of Jacob to Israel signifies a profound shift in his relationship with God and his role in the divine plan. The establishment of the covenant, the birth of Benjamin, and the death of Rachel add layers of complexity to the narrative, portraying the intricate interplay of joy and sorrow in the human experience.
The sinful act of Reuben serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles within the family of Israel, highlighting the imperfections and vulnerabilities of individuals. However, the narrative also offers hope through the theme of reconciliation and the unity displayed in the burial of Isaac.
As we reflect on Genesis 35, may we be inspired by Jacob's journey of redemption and renewal. May we recognize the transformative power of God's grace, the importance of repentance, and the enduring nature of God's covenant promises. Just as Jacob returned to Bethel to seek God's presence, may we, too, seek moments of encounter with the divine, allowing God to renew and transform our lives.
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