Genesis 35 Commentary
Jacob’s early years are characterized by self-ambition. His later years are intense with God’s presence and interaction. So detailed is God’s involvement in Jacob’s life that the LORD God even directs him to relocate to Bethel.
Jacob should connect to the God of Bethel – a place where the LORD God met him. He must build an altar at Bethel.
Chapter 35 announces three funerals. Deborah is no mere nurse. She must have been a mother figure to Jacob. She dies. The much-loved Rachel also dies. Isaac should be the last of the “super” old folks recorded in the holy script. He dies aged 180 – a full life and also a straight one.
It’s one line but an important one. Reuben commits incest with Bilhah – one of the four wives of Jacob. Of course, Jacob hears about it but the holy script won’t spend any more pages on this case, regardless of its gravity. But the LORD God has taken note.
We can commentate on Jacob’s misfortunes arising from his polygamous marriage. While Jacob looks at his twelve boys as sons with equal status, the sons don’t look at their mothers equally. Some are objects of hate while others are potential girlfriends. Strange and unpredictable things happen when humanity transgresses God’s commands.
Without justifying Bilhah’s wickedness in consenting to the wicked relationship, you understand her trouble. She was an object used to produce children. She was starved of affection. She came into the picture because of her ability to bear children. Nothing more to it. Sad. Inhuman and very sad!
If Rachel kept Jacob even from her elder sister who was legally married to Jacob, you guess Bilhah and Zilpah didn’t stand any chance. An environment of unfaithfulness and infidelity thrived, and so did hatred and animosity – all needless if only humanity goes by the rules.
Bethel is a place of reconnection. You don’t get there with excess baggage. So Jacob orders his family to get rid of all foreign gods.
We are getting somewhere. We have 12 sons! Multitudes like sand out of a barren and old Sarah was always a joke never to repeat anywhere. It was insanity. No one would ever take you seriously if you showed up with this kind of ambition – building from a dead situation.
A lone son – yes, a miracle but one Isaac still. But the joke is better now, at least one. We have all the eggs in one basket. The 180 years for Isaac is meant to shame our fears. Yes, the LORD can work with one basket!
In His own time, 12 sons show up – the 12 tribes of Israel. Their story runs from Simeon and Levi’s indiscretions, and Reuben’s wickedness, through to Judah and Joseph’s experiences. It shall be an interesting journey, but keep in mind the mandate that these sons carry on their shoulders – the Abrahamic blessing.
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 