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Genesis 36: 31-43: The ultimate statistic.

^“31 These were the kings who reigned in Edom before any Israelite king reigned:³² Bela son of Beor became king of Edom. His city was named Dinhabah.³³ When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah succeeded him as king.³⁴ When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites succeeded him as king.³⁵ When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, succeeded him as king. His city was named Avith.³⁶ When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah succeeded him as king.³⁷ When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the river succeeded him as king.³⁸ When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan son of Akbor succeeded him as king. ³⁹ When Baal-Hanan son of Akbor died, Hadad  succeeded him as king. His city was named Pau, and his wife’s name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-Zahab. ⁴⁰ These were the chiefs descended from Esau, by name, according to their clans and regions: Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, ⁴¹ Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, ⁴² Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, ⁴³ Magdiel and Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom, according to their settlements in the land they occupied. This is the family line of Esau, the father of the Edomites.” NIV

‘Death lays its icy hand on kings;

Sceptre and crown must tumble down,

And in the dust be equal made

With the poor crooked scythe and spade.’

Someone said that death is the ultimate statistic – one out of one dies! I heard a preacher say that God remembers we are dust, but we don’t always remember. At any moment He can say, ‘’Return to dust, O sons of men’’ (Psalm 90:3). But when we feel fit and strong and healthy we are prone to forget this.

There is a sobering thought repeated throughout the passage concerning the rulers of Edom: it is that when one king dies, another succeeds him. Again and again we read that someone who is in authority is replaced by another. All leaders are eventually replaced.

But this doesn’t apply only to leaders. Sooner or later, we will all die. Someone else will live in the house we regarded as ours; someone else will use (or waste!) the money we so carefully gathered; someone else will do the work we did. We don’t need to be morbid, but it is foolish to not live with a sobering sense of our own mortality. We are only ready to live when we are ready to die.

Just one other thought about this chapter before we move on, and it comes from Warren Wiersbe: ‘Esau’s family tree is much more imposing than Jacob’s, but this is the last we hear of it. Despite their failures, the sons of Israel are the chosen instruments to accomplish God’s will on earth.’ ‘With the Word’, p.40.

Genesis 36: Who do you think you are?

“This is the account of the family line of Esau (that is, Edom). ² Esau took his wives from the women of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite – ³ also Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth. ⁴ Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, Basemath bore Reuel, ⁵ and Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam and Korah. These were the sons of Esau, who were born to him in Canaan. ⁶ Esau took his wives and sons and daughters and all the members of his household, as well as his livestock and all his other animals and all the goods he had acquired in Canaan, and moved to a land some distance from his brother Jacob. ⁷ Their possessions were too great for them to remain together; the land where they were staying could not support them both because of their livestock. ⁸ So Esau (that is, Edom) settled in the hill country of Seir…………………….    ³¹ These were the kings who reigned in Edom before any Israelite king reigned:³² Bela son of Beor became king of Edom. His city was named Dinhabah.³³ When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah succeeded him as king.³⁴ When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites succeeded him as king. ³⁵ When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, succeeded him as king. His city was named Avith. ³⁶ When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah succeeded him as king. ³⁷ When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the river succeeded him as king. ³⁸ When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan son of Akbor succeeded him as king. ³⁹ When Baal-Hanan son of Akbor died, Hadad succeeded him as king. His city was named Pau, and his wife’s name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-Zahab. ⁴⁰ These were the chiefs descended from Esau, by name, according to their clans and regions: Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, ⁴¹ Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, ⁴² Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, ⁴³ Magdiel and Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom, according to their settlements in the land they occupied. This is the family line of Esau, the father of the Edomites.” NIV (36 abridged)

Genealogies were regarded as extremely important in the ancient world. That said, there has been a modern resurgence of interest in the whole subject of lineage. Whenever we find a long list such as this one in the Bible, we should remember that God knows people by name and they all matter to Him. He loves them, and Christ died for them.

‘Who do you think you are?’ However you answer this question, positively or negatively, the truth is you are a person of great worth, created in the image of God.

Genesis 35:21-26: Jacob and sons.

^“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.”NIV

Jacob was blessed with ‘’twelve sons’’, but at times they were a cause of grief to him. Mind you, he was not always a good example to them. But how he must have been wounded by what ‘’Reuben’’ did (22). It was an insult to his father, ‘’and Israel heard of it.’’ They say ‘truth will out.’ It has a tendency of doing so. We may sin in private, but we cannot sin secretly, for God knows, and there is a good chance other people will find out too.

This quote from Warren Wiersbe sheds further light on a sad episode:

‘For a son to take a father’s wife in this manner was a declaration that he was now the head of the family. When Abner took King Saul’s concubine, Saul’s son and heir Ishbosheth protested because it meant Abner was usurping the crown (2 Sam. 3:6-11). When David succeeded Saul as king, he was given Saul’s wives as his own (2 Sam. 12:8). Rebellious Absalom declared himself ruler by taking his father’s concubines (2 Sam. 16:20-23), and Adonijah’s request to have Abishag as his wife was the same as challenging Solomon’s rights to the throne (1 Kings 2:13-25). It would appear, then, that Reuben’s purpose was to take over the leadership of the family, which made his deed only that much more vile…………………………………………………………………………………………

Jacob did nothing immediately, but surely his heart was broken by what his son had done. Reuben showed some character in protecting Joseph from death, but he wasn’t able to save him from slavery (Gen. 37:20-30). Though Reuben was the firstborn, his brothers didn’t seem to respect his leadership. In his old age, Jacob exposed Reuben’s sin and deprived him of the rights of the firstborn, giving them to Joseph (48:1-14; 49:3-4; 1 Chron. 5:1-2).

Those who teach that our dedication to the Lord automatically protects us from troubles and tears need to read this chapter carefully. Certainly God had forgiven Jacob, and certainly Jacob was walking with the Lord in faith and obedience. Nevertheless, he still had his share of trials.’

Genesis 35:11-15: God talks

¹¹ And God said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants. ¹² The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.’ ¹³ Then God went up from him at the place where he had talked with him.¹⁴ Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. ¹⁵ Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel.” NIV

It is a precious thing to make time each day to speak with God. Selwyn Hughes observed that if we want to meet the Lord everywhere we must meet Him somewhere, and if we want to find Him all the time we must find Him some time. That’s a point well made.

But I would add that it is even more wonderful when God talks to you (13,15). As I have got older, I have found it essential (for me) to begin the day with a time of silence. It isn’t a long period – not as long as I might like it to be. But I get out of bed, make a cup of tea, sit in a familiar chair and say, ‘Speak Lord in the stillness, while I wait on you’, (or something similar). Please understand, I’m not trying to make my pattern a template for anyone else. I do, though, want to emphasis the importance of listening to God.

 ‘There is hardly ever a complete silence in our soul. God is whispering to us wellnigh incessantly. Whenever the sounds of the world die out in the soul, or sink low, then we hear these whisperings of God. He is always whispering to us, only we do not always hear, because of the noise, hurry, and distraction which life causes as it rushes on.’ F.W.Faber.

Genesis 35:9-10/21: God’s decrees.

^“9 After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. ¹⁰ God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel. ” So he named him Israel.”……….^“21 Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder.”

God is Sovereign. What He decrees must come to pass. If He says ‘’Let there be light’’ there will be light; if He says Jacob should be re-named ‘’Israel’’ then that’s what he will be called. God’s Word is His work and this understanding should encourage every preacher.

‘’He confirmed the change of his name, Gen. 35:10. It was done before by the angel that wrestled with him (Gen. 32:28), and here it was ratified by the divine Majesty, or Shechinah, that appeared to him. There it was to encourage him against the fear of Esau, here against the fear of the Canaanites. Who can be too hard for Israel, a prince with God? It is below those who are thus dignified to droop and despond.’’ Matthew Henry.

It has been suggested that Jacob is called ‘’Israel’’ in (21) because, in the loss of his beloved Rachel, he showed himself to be ‘a prince with God’. He had such dignity – such governance, rule over his own spirit. Whether or not it is a correct interpretation, it is an engaging thought.

Genesis 35:16-19/27-28: Loss.

“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).”

“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. ” NIV

‘Human life begins with sorrow, and the roses of its joy are surrounded with thorns.’ Matthew Henry.

Walking in the will of God, as it seems Jacob was now doing, may bring blessings of many kinds, and most of all a wonderful experience with God. But it will not prevent the inevitable brushes with death, grief and loss. We all must face these at some time or other. Bereavement comes to us all. ‘Death is the ultimate statistic,’ someone said. ‘One out of one dies.’ There is a time to be born and a time to die. God does not promise to shield us from these harsh realities, but we know that He will walk with us through them. In a chapter which is full of blessings, we note these significant losses for Jacob: the deaths of Deborah, Rachel and Isaac.

I believe C.S. Lewis said something like this: ‘The pain of grief we feel after losing someone is a part of the price we pay for loving.’ We want to know the joy, but not the sorrow. This is understandable, but the truth is that however abundantly we are blessed by God, death will intrude into our lives at some point. We will lose loved ones; we ourselves must die. However, we can take heart from knowing that Jesus died and rose again. In and through Him we conquer death, and, finally, all will be well.

‘Lest Jacob should be lifted up with the visions of the Almighty with which he was honoured, this was sent as a thorn in the flesh to humble him. Those that enjoy the favours peculiar to the children of God must yet expect the troubles that are common to the children of men.’ Matthew Henry

Genesis 35: 9-14: Blessing in obedience.

^“9 After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. ¹⁰ God said to him, “Your name is Jacob,but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel. ” So he named him Israel. ¹¹ And God said to him, “I am God Almighty ; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants. ¹² The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.” ¹³ Then God went up from himat the place where he had talked with him. ¹⁴ Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it.” NIV

After Jacob responded to God’s Word, and went to ‘Bethel’, he had another special encounter with the Lord, and heard wonderful promises from Him. There was blessing in obedience. There always will be – for you and me too. I’m not saying your experience will be identical to Jacob’s, but do not hesitate to go where God directs, to follow where He leads.

‘’As he had done years before at Bethel, Jacob set up a pillar and dedicated it to the Lord (28:18). He not only poured oil on the pillar, but he also poured out a drink offering of wine. The drink offering was a supplement to the regular sacrifices and was poured out on the altar as the sacrifice was burning (Ex. 29:40-41; Num. 6:17; 15:5-10, 24; 29:22-38). It was a symbol of dedication, the worshipper’s life poured out for the Lord (2 Sam. 23:16; Phil. 2:17.’’ Warren Wiersbe

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to put myself in a place to meet you and hear your voice; and when you speak, enable me to respond with whole-hearted obedience.

Genesis 35:1-8: Get back!

“Then God said to Jacob, “Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altarthere to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau.” ² So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes.³ Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.” ⁴ So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem. ⁵ Then they set out, and the terror of God fell on the towns all around them so that no one pursued them. ⁶ Jacob and all the people with him came to Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan. ⁷ There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother. ⁸ Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died and was buried under the oak outside Bethel. So it was named Allon Bakuth.” NIV

There can come a time where you recognise that you need to ‘get back to where you once belonged.’ You once had an experience of God which was real, meaningful and unmistakable. He spoke to you; you know it. Furthermore, you spoke to Him in response and made certain promises. But somehow you have lost your way; you have ‘backslidden’ from that high point. You haven’t walked as closely with the Lord as you intended. Like Jacob, you too can get back. But the process will not be without pain. It will entail real repentance – the jettisoning of some things which ought not to be in your world. You cannot worship God and idols at the same time. Jacob showed strong spiritual leadership in his household. The ceremonies they went through expressed a change of heart.  You will not regret coming back to God. His blessing will be upon you. But there are no guarantees that you will not face sadness. Loss is an inevitable part of life in this world. There is more to come in this chapter.

PRAYER: Holy Lord, help me to return to you with all my heart.

Genesis 35:1:1: A new beginning.

“Then God said to Jacob, “Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altarthere to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau.” NIV

This is what we didn’t see when Jacob went to live near Shechem. There was no clear direction from God on that occasion, as far as we can see. But now there was. (By the way, this word from God came immediately after an episode which was not Jacob’s finest hour. Such manifestations of God’s presence do not come because we deserve them. They don’t mean we are especially good people-or that we are spiritual giants. They do show the graciousness of God).

As I read this today my heart says anew, ‘Lord, please guide my steps. Don’t let me take a decision out of your will.’

Of course, in life we have to think things through. We regularly must choose, make decisions. But I want to go into each day committing my way to God; telling Him that I want Him to rule, and overrule, in all my decisions. Otherwise I may find myself living near Shechem, causing all kinds of problems for others, as well as for myself.

God was reminding Jacob of his experience at Bethel and the promises he had made at the time (28:10-22). ‘As many as God loves he will remind of neglected duties, one way or other, by conscience or by providences.’  Matthew Henry