The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of RachelThis phrase highlights the special status of Rachel as the beloved wife of Jacob. In the Hebrew context, Rachel's role as a matriarch is significant. Her sons, Joseph and Benjamin, are central figures in the narrative of Israel's history. Rachel's deep love for Jacob and her struggle with barrenness, as described in earlier chapters, underscore the miraculous nature of her motherhood. Her sons are not just her offspring but are seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to Jacob, reflecting the divine favor and the continuation of the covenant. Joseph
The name Joseph, derived from the Hebrew "Yosef," means "He will add." This name is prophetic, as Joseph's life is marked by God's providence and blessing. Joseph's account is one of redemption and divine purpose, as he rises from being sold into slavery by his brothers to becoming a powerful leader in Egypt. His life exemplifies themes of forgiveness, divine sovereignty, and the fulfillment of God's promises. Joseph's role in preserving the family during famine is a testament to God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His plan for Israel. and Benjamin
Benjamin, whose name means "Son of the Right Hand" or "Son of the South," is the youngest of Jacob's sons. His birth is bittersweet, as it occurs during Rachel's death. Benjamin's name reflects both the sorrow of Rachel's passing and the hope of a new generation. In the broader biblical narrative, the tribe of Benjamin holds a unique place, producing significant figures such as King Saul and the Apostle Paul. Benjamin's account is intertwined with themes of loyalty, identity, and the complexities of family dynamics within the tribes of Israel. Persons / Places / Events 1. RachelThe beloved wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Her account is marked by her struggle with infertility and her deep love for Jacob. 2. JosephThe first son of Rachel, known for his dreams and his rise to power in Egypt. His life is a testament to God's providence and faithfulness. 3. BenjaminThe second son of Rachel, born under difficult circumstances as Rachel died during his birth. He is the youngest of Jacob's sons and holds a special place in Jacob's heart. 4. JacobAlso known as Israel, he is the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. His life is a journey of transformation and covenant relationship with God. 5. BethelThe place where Jacob had a significant encounter with God, reaffirming the covenant promises given to Abraham and Isaac. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in Family DynamicsThe birth of Joseph and Benjamin illustrates God's hand in the complexities of family life. Despite human struggles and imperfections, God's purposes prevail. The Significance of NamesIn Hebrew culture, names often reflect character or destiny. Joseph ("May He add") and Benjamin ("Son of the right hand") both carry meanings that point to their future roles and God's plans. Endurance Through TrialsRachel's account of longing and eventual blessing encourages believers to trust in God's timing and faithfulness, even amidst personal struggles. The Role of Suffering in God's PlanRachel's death during Benjamin's birth and Joseph's trials in Egypt remind us that suffering can be a part of God's redemptive plan, leading to greater purposes. Legacy and CovenantThe sons of Rachel play crucial roles in the unfolding of God's covenant with Israel, reminding us of the importance of faithfulness to God's promises across generations. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the account of Rachel, Joseph, and Benjamin illustrate God's faithfulness in the midst of human struggles and imperfections? 2. In what ways do the meanings of the names "Joseph" and "Benjamin" reflect their roles in the biblical account and God's plan for Israel? 3. How can Rachel's experience of longing and eventual blessing encourage us in our own times of waiting and uncertainty? 4. What lessons can we learn from the trials and sufferings experienced by Rachel, Joseph, and Benjamin about God's sovereignty and purpose? 5. How do the lives of Joseph and Benjamin contribute to the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and what does this teach us about legacy and faithfulness? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 30:22-24This passage describes the birth of Joseph, highlighting God's intervention in Rachel's life and the significance of Joseph's name, which means "May He add," reflecting Rachel's hope for more children. Genesis 35:16-20This passage details the birth of Benjamin and the death of Rachel, emphasizing the sorrow and joy intertwined in his birth. Genesis 37:3-4These verses describe Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph, setting the stage for the familial conflict that leads to Joseph's eventual journey to Egypt. Genesis 49:22-27Jacob's blessings to Joseph and Benjamin, highlighting their future roles and the fulfillment of God's promises through them. People Allon, Aram, Arba, Asher, Benjamin, Benoni, Bilhah, Dan, Deborah, Eder, Ephrath, Esau, Gad, Isaac, Issachar, Jacob, Joseph, Leah, Levi, Mamre, Naphtali, Rachel, Rebekah, Reuben, Simeon, Zebulun, ZilpahPlaces Allon-bacuth, Bethel, Bethlehem, Canaan, Eder, El-bethel, Ephrath, Hebron, Kiriath-arba, Luz, Mamre, Paddan-aram, ShechemTopics Benjamin, Joseph, Rachel, SonsDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 35:22-26 1654 numbers, 11-99
7266 tribes of Israel Library February the Eighth Revisiting Old Altars
"I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress." --GENESIS xxxv. 1-7. It is a blessed thing to revisit our early altars. It is good to return to the haunts of early vision. Places and things have their sanctifying influences, and can recall us to lost experiences. I know a man to whom the scent of a white, wild rose is always a call to prayer. I know another to whom Grasmere is always the window of holy vision. Sometimes a particular pew in a particular church …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling YearOur Last ChapterConcluded with the Words, "For Childhood and Youth are Vanity"...
Our last chapter concluded with the words, "For childhood and youth are vanity": that is, childhood proves the emptiness of all "beneath the sun," as well as old age. The heart of the child has the same needs--the same capacity in kind--as that of the aged. It needs God. Unless it knows Him, and His love is there, it is empty; and, in its fleeting character, childhood proves its vanity. But this makes us quite sure that if childhood can feel the need, then God has, in His wide grace, met the …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs The Death of Abraham
'Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.'--GENESIS xxv. 8. 'Full of years' does not seem to me to be a mere synonym for longevity. That would be an intolerable tautology, for we should then have the same thing said three times over--'an old man,' 'in a good old age,' 'full of years.' There must be some other idea than that in the words. If you notice that the expression is by no means a usual one, that it is only …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Trials and visions of Devout Youth
'And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The National Oath at Shechem
'And Joshua said unto the people. Ye cannot serve the Lord: for He is an holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that He hath done you good. 21. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. 22. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves, that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve Him. And they said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). In our last chapter we considered at some length the much debated and difficult question of the human will. We have shown that the will of the natural man is neither Sovereign nor free but, instead, a servant and slave. We have argued that a right conception of the sinner's will-its servitude-is essential to a just estimate of his depravity and ruin. The utter corruption and degradation of human nature is something which …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God The Birth of Jesus.
(at Bethlehem of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke II. 1-7. ^c 1 Now it came to pass in those days [the days of the birth of John the Baptist], there went out a decree [a law] from Cæsar Augustus [Octavius, or Augustus, Cæsar was the nephew of and successor to Julius Cæsar. He took the name Augustus in compliment to his own greatness; and our month August is named for him; its old name being Sextilis], that all the world should be enrolled. [This enrollment or census was the first step …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 35:24 NIVGenesis 35:24 NLTGenesis 35:24 ESVGenesis 35:24 NASBGenesis 35:24 KJV
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