Wednesday, February 3, 2010

In Genesis 35, Jacob moves his family to Bethel as God had directed him and tells everyone to destroy all their idols. God appeared to him again, reminding him that he will now be called 'Israel' (=one who struggles with God), and that he is to multiply and become great nations, and will receive the land given to Abraham and Isaac. Leaving Bethel, they traveled on to Bethlehem, but before they arrived Rachel gave birth to another son, Benjamin. Jacob now had twelve sons in all. Rachel died soon after the delivery of Benjamin. Jacob moved back to the home of his father Isaac, near Hebron, where Abraham also had lived. The chapter ends with Esau and Jacob burying their father, Isaac, who lived 180 years.