Bible Scripture and Hymn for Tuesday 1 March 2011

"Greetings Everyone in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on this the 1st of March"

Today's Blog Title: "The Death of Rachel and Isaac"
Today's Scripture Reading: Genesis 35:16-29
Today's Key Verse: "So Isaac breathed his last and died, and was gathered together to his people, being old and full of days.  And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him."

Before I start, I am full of Praise for the Lord's working with this Blog.  Yesterday's Blog readings by you, pushed the number of those who have been to this site over 500, which not only includes the United States but 10 other Countries.  It is my prayer that this Blog continues to be a blessing to you, and that you pass the word of God on to your family and friends, so that they might come to know the blessings and peace which Jesus provides to those who believe and trust in Him.
   
Today we conclude Genesis Chapter 35, with the death of Rachel and Isaac.  As verse 16 opens, we find that Rachel was in hard labor.  Rachel's sorrow and fearfulness was that her second son would be stillborn.  It would became a symbol for all mothers who fear for there child's life.  As she gave birth she died, and Jacob named his new son Benjamin which indicated his youngest sons special place in the family, at Jacobs's right hand.  It is interesting to note that Rachel was the only one of the principle characters in our study in Abraham's family of promise that was not buried in the cave of Machpelah.

You will remember that Jacob had set up pillars to mark the Lord's great works in his life, and to mark the agreement with his with Laban.  This time, he erected a pillar to mark his sorrow at the lost of his beloved wife Rachel.

In verse 22 we read that Reuben, Jacob's firstborn sleep with Bilhah his fathers concubine.  Maybe he was asserting his right to be the principle heir, or he felt slighted by Jacob's making Benjamin the son of his right hand.  By sleeping with his fathers concubine, he was asserting that he would succeed his father.  But we will see later in Genesis, this very action would cause him to lose the very blessing that he desired.

In verse 27 we see that Jacob after more than 20 years of being away finally visits his father Isaac.  Since Jacob was Rebekah's favorite son, and that fact that she was not mentioned  on his visit to his father, we would assume that she was was probably dead.  We now see how deceit and lies can hurt.  Jacob's and Rebekah's deceit of Isaac to get his blessing for Jacob, had caused Esau to become so angry that he wanted to kill Jacob, that caused Rebekah to sent him off to her family and she never saw her favorite son again. 

In the close of this Chapter, we see Isaac's sons, Esau and Jacob, who once were feuding now get together and bury Jacob in the cave at Machpelah where Abraham and Sarah were buried, and we will later see that Leah and Jacob would be buried.   

Today's Closing Question and  Comment: "Does knowing God in your life give your life meaning even when you experience tragedies?"  At times those that who are  most committed to the Lord seem to be severely tested.  Yet every life knows just such pain.  How gracious God is to us that believe in Him, to give us the strength that our commitment to Him brings, before permitting suffering and sorrow in our life's, but with the suffering also brings, peace, understanding and joy.  Always give the Almighty God the praise and glory.  There is no one like Him who in your suffering and pain will wrap His loving arms around you and comfort you through whatever crisis there may be in your life.  "Praise God"  

Oh well, I'm tired and so weary, But I must go alone
Till the Lord comes and calls me home, calls me away, oh yes
Well the morning's so bright, and the lamp is alight
And the night, night is as black as the sea, oh yes.
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow, No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me.

Heavenly Father, How thankful we are for Your loving grace that even when we are suffering or in sorrow, You are there to be with us and comfort us.  Lord help us to to always come to You and seek Your help and guidance in all that we do.
                                                                                                                Amen

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord with Gladness. Love God More Today and always remember, when you have a spiritual defeat that yells "I Can't", God  whispers "BUT I CAN".

Yours In Christ
Cindi