Would You Rather?: Fatherly Treatment

Would you rather is a fun game to play, particularly when getting to know someone. A person is asked to choose betwen two things of equal desiring—making it hard to decide and opening dialouge as to why the person chooses the option they choose. Recently I stumbled accross several versions of "Would You Rather?: Bible Edition" and found the questions quite intriguing. I've decided to answer one every Sabbath. Let me know your answer to today's "Would You Rather?" in the comment section.

Would you rather deceive you dad to receive a blessing or have your dad think you have been killed?

Answer: Deceive my dad for a blessing

Backstory

Jacob Deceives Isaac

Jacob and his twin brother Esau had a rocky relationship to say the least. Esau sold his birthright to Jacob (Genesis 25), however, I'm not sure if included the blessing or not (technically the blessing was the right of eldest, so a birthright). Regardless, when the time came for their father to deliver the blessing, Esau was notified and made plans to receive his blessing. Meanwhile Jacob went in to action to deceive the father into thinking he was his brother Esau—he even received the help from his mother. In the end Jacob receives the blessing through deceit, since his father believes him to be Esau during the bestowing process.[1]

Joseph's Death Faked

Joseph also had a poor relationship with his brothers. Joseph is the favored son by Jacob, and by telling on his brothers when they do wrong, he cements his elder brothers' dislike for him. The relationship becomes so strained that the brothers decide to sell him into slavery. After getting rid of Joseph, they need something to tell their father, so they concot a story about him being killed by animals. They even shred his coat as evidence of the attack.[2]

Rationale

This would you rather is hard; I'm not really sure which scenario is worse. Jacob is an active participant in what happens, but Joseph's situation is more painful for the father.

One thing to consider about Jacob's actions is that he deceived both his brother and his father. I am of the mindset that in selling his birthright, Esau technically sold the blessing and God's instructions told Isaac to bless Jacob (the younger son), which means Jacob with "right." Still, I think there is something to be said in how you handle these types of deception. Despite Esau verbally accepting Jacob's apology, the ramifications of this brotherly fued lasted through their descendents leading to the rift between the Israelites (descended from Jacob) and the Edomites (descended from Esau). We do not see how it affects Jacob's relationship with his father other than the fact that he is sent away to save his life.

And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. Genesis 25:23 KJV

Joseph, on the other hand, is almost blameless in his situation—I say almost because perhaps he could have been more self aware of the favoritism he was shown and sympathetic to his brothers' feelings, which may have kept them from getting quite as angry with him. Regardless, the concoted lie and Joseph's absence were all the fault of Joseph's brothers.

³¹And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; ³²And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no. Genesis 37:31-32 KJV

From a self-responsibility standpoint, I would want to be Joseph. However, from a consequence standpoint, things get much trickier.

While Jacob's action did lead to him fleeing for his life, there doesn't appear to be an distress placed upon Isaac as a result. If Jacob hadn't fled, he wouldn't have met his wives, so something good did come from the event. The worst consequence is the fighting between Israel and Edom, but God prophesied that before the twins were born. Esau sold his birthright, so Jacob was always going to come out on top. I think Edom would have been at odds with Israel even if Jacob had gone about collecting the blessing in a more acceptable manner.

Joseph's situation had much larger consequences (for better and for worse). No parent wants to bury their child. I can only imagine the anguish Jacob felt upon being led to beleive that his second-youngest son, the miracle child of his most beloved wife, was dead. While the brothers may have been in less trouble than if they had outright confessed to selling him into slavery, I imagine Jacob lit into them for not protecting their little brother. Thus, the brothers had to live with the guilt of knowing what they did and still didn't gain favor in the father's eyes. Meanwhile, Joseph was enslaved. It may have worked out for the better in the end, but he spent a considerable time as a slave and a prisoner! Of course, if Joseph hadn't been sold into slavery, no one would have survived the famine, including his family.

I don't have siblings to steal from, but if I'm being honest, I probably have already misled my parents about sometihng to get what I wanted. I can't think of anything, but I definitely went behind my mom's back and convinced my grandmother to buy me a set of pens I wanted. It seems likely I would have said I needed something for school when I didn't or inferred I would do more chores if they bought something I wanted only to never do said chores. So, since I've probably already done that, I think I'm going to say I'd rather deceive my dad, even though Joseph's situation is the more noble of the two. (I asked my dad the inverse of this question after writing my response, and he said he would rather be deceived that to think his child was dead, so we're on the same page!)

Which would you rather do?

References and Footnotes

1. Genesis 27
2. Genesis 37
3. I found many versions of "Whould You Rather?: Scripture Edition"; this question was found in a version made by Megan Briggs of Church Leaders

Speak Life feat. Sam

This episode is about the importance of how we talk about people (and ourselves. When I was in graduate school, I was appalled to see caregivers constantly tell small children how "bad" they were—especially when the kids were not doing anything outside of normal child behavior. In the Bible, patriarchs of families took the time to speak prophecies of greatness (or disaster) over their children and each of these prophecies came true. These parents understood the power of the tongue and wielded it to lift up the children they saw potential in and tear down those they saw on a path of destruction. I see a lot of the latter in our society today, but not as much as the first. Sam and I discussed the general apathy people have for what they're saying and have come to the conclusion that we should be much more precise in how we speak about others.

No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 CSB

Examples of Patriarchs speaking blessings and curses over their children:

• Noah curses Canaan, blesses Shem (Genesis 9:24-27)
• Isaac blesses Jacob, lowkey curses Esau (Genesis 27)
• Jacob blesses/curses his sons (Genesis 49)

People often express their disdain for a person's decisions by condemning the child and set low expectations/standards from the onset due to their experience with the parent.

²⁰From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is filled with the product of his lips.

²¹Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:20-21 CSB

Have you ever seen parents speak blessings on their children the way the patriarchs did?

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Ephesians 4:29 NKJV

The Power of the Tongue

• Ephesians 4:29
• James 1:19-26-8
• James 3:5-12
• Matthew 12:24
• Matthew 15:11
• 1 Peter 3:10
• Proverbs 10:19
• Proverbs 15:4
• Proverbs 15:8
• Proverbs 17:9
• Proverbs 17:27-28
• Proverbs 12:6-7
• Proverbs 12:13-14
• Proverbs 12:18-19
• Proverbs 15:1-2
• Proverbs 18:6
• Proverbs 18:20-21
• Proverbs 21:23
• Psalm 34:13
• Psalm 52:2-9
• Titus 3:1-2

I used to say I felt bad and then I actually felt bad. There is actually evidence that you can make yourself sick that![1]

The verses Sam mentions about "speaking life" and "dry bones" are in Ezekiel 37

Nehemiah & Clearing Debt

In the episode we veered off topic a bit to talk about unity and the tendency for opposition to come from the inside. I mentioned the podcast I did on Nehemiah and how he dealt with a situation where the rich Israelites were taking advantage of and abusing the poor Israelites. That episode is linked below;[3] the verse I mentioned in reference to debt being cleared after 7 years is found in Deuteronomy 15:1.

The Law of Attraction is Not Christian

It's really hard to wrap our around this concept with veering to "the Law of Attraction" and saying things like "speak it into existence" and "name it and claim it." The danger of most New Age teachings is that they get somethings, maybe even most things right—but a little leaven leavens the whole lump (Galatians 5:9)! The missing piece is God. There is power in The Word, not my word. I can only speak something into existence if I have surrendered my voice to God and it is actually the Holy Spirit speaking. We must keep this in perspective.[2]

¹³By rebellious speech an evil person is trapped,
but a righteous person escapes from trouble.

¹⁴A person will be satisfied with good
by the fruit of his mouth,
and the work of a person’s hands will reward him.
Proverbs 12:13-14 CSB

Pineapple Fried Rice -- Not Burned!

Update on the Rice Situation

I started cooking rice right before I started recording the podcast with Sam and totally forgot! For those who are curious, once I went back and cooked rice while I wasn't distracted, this is how it turned out.

References

1. Melissa Malamut. "Can You Think Yourself Sick?". Boston Magazine. April 4, 2013
2. Philia Ministries -T he King is Coming. Christians & The Law of Attraction Deception". YouTube. February 20, 2017
3. Ree Hughes. Most Likely To Be a Revolutionary". PSALMS to God. February 18, 2019
4. Malala. Malala Fund; visited March 3, 2020

Most Likely To Betray You

Season 1 Episode 35

³Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, was full of remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. ⁴“I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said.

“What’s that to us?” they said. “See to it yourself!” ⁵So he threw the silver into the temple and departed. Then he went and hanged himself. Matthew 27:3-5 CSB

Betrayal is always unexpected, and it always hurts. The Bible has many instances of betrayal, from sibling rivalries to Judas betraying Jesus. We spend a lot of time talking about the person who was betrayed and vilifying the betrayer, but what happens when we realize we have plenty in common the betrayer? The root cause of betrayal is always selfishness and we all fall prey to the temptation of selfishness. In this episode, let's talk about how we can avoid the pitfalls that lead to betrayal.

References and Footnotes

Another example of betrayal in the Bible is David's betrayal of Uriah (sleeping with Bathsheba then having Uriah killed).

Most Likely to Be Forgotten

A book, and even a mini-series has been made about this Biblical person, but most people won’t recognize her name. Her story is brief, but powerful. It deserves all our attention, but like so many women, her story is rarely brought to the forefront. Today we're talking about 3 Biblical women who would stand for #MeToo and #TimesUp. Do you know who they are?

Season 1 Episode 2

Sarah / Sarai

Sarah is the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac. Like many women today, Sarah struggled with infertility. In her old age, God promised to give her a son. Initially, she didn't believe it was possible—she even laughed—but God proved her wrong by blessing her with a son at the age of 90.

Introduction

Sarah, born Sarai, is the mother of Isaac and the wife of Abraham. She is a pivotal figure of the old testament. Abraham is often called the father of many nations, thus as his wife and the mother of the son that produced God's chosen nation, she is the mother of His chosen nations.
Top

Bible Verses

¹⁵And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. ¹⁶And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.Genesis 17:15-16 KJV

And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.Genesis 23:2 KJV

Other Verses on Sarah

• Genesis 11:29-31; 12:5,11,17; 16:1-8; 17:15-21; 18:6-15; 20:14-18; 21:1-12; 23
• Isaiah 51:2

Top

Character

Disclaimer: Liberty taken with the depiction of Sarah.
Please remember the Bible does not
specify a description for most individuals.

Sarah is one of the most spotlighted women in the book of Genesis. We are given a whole chapter on Abraham dealing with her death and preparing her gravesite. The first trait we glean from the pages about Sarah, is eagerness to provide Abraham a child; so much so that she gives her handmaid, Hagar, to Abraham as a wife. When Hagar gives birth to Ismael, Abraham's first and only son at time, Hagar feel "above" Sarah leading to tension between the two. Sarah confronts Abraham about Hagar's treatment of her and having more allegiance to Sarah than to Hagar, Abraham demotes Hagar back to handmaid status, allowing Sarah to deal with the situation as she pleased. We are told that Hagar is so distraught from Sarah's wrath that she flees. Thus we must conclude that Sarah was both a loving wife and a bit of a hot head.

Being "barren" during that time period would have been very difficult for a woman, as their worth was often determined by their ability to produce male heirs. People would have likely talked about her and may have suggested that she was cursed. Yet this seems to be a trend amongst God's chosen women. Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel all have "trouble" conceiving. God promised Sarah that she would have a child, but neither Sarah nor Abraham believed Him. When Sarah does have a child at 90 years old, she once again has Hagar removed so that Ishmael cannot continue to taunt Isaac. Sarah was given much power in terms of decision making by both Abraham, and God (who agreed that Abraham should listen to Sarah the second time she asked to send Hagar away).

Aside from Sarah laughing at God's promise to grant her a son, we don't see much of Sarah's relationship with God. However, her action of giving her handmaid to Abraham to provide him with children suggests that she at least believed God meant great things for his descendants. Also, the fact that we are told so much about both Abraham and Isaac mourning her death suggests that she was a very beloved person.
Top

Descendants

Sarah is the mother of Isaac. She is the grandmother of Jacob (Israel), and thus the Israelite nation.
Top

Isaac

Isaac is the promised son of Abraham and Sarah, and the younger half-brother of Ishmael. The second patriarch on the path to the Israelite nation, he and his wife have two sons: Jacob and Esau. Isaac is one of the first people of the Bible for whom we get to see details of his emotions (Genesis 24:67).

Introduction

Isaac is the second son of Abraham, and the first son between Abraham and Sarah. As the promised son of Abraham, Isaac inherits the covenant given to Abraham by God. As a child, God tests Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham does as God commands, but God intervenes to save Isaac and provides a lamb for sacrifice instead. Can you imagine how Isaac, who was old enough to understand what was happening, felt when this occurred? The Bible does not record Isaac's reaction, but since he continued to have faith in God, He must have recognized God when He intervened and understood not to question God.
Top

Bible Verses

But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.Genesis 17:21 KJV

And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.Genesis 25:20 KJV

Other Verses on Isaac

• Genesis 17:19; 21:1-10; 22:1-18, 24; 25:6,9,19-28; 26; 27; 28:1-8; 31:18,42,53; 32:9; 35:12, 27-29; 46:1; 48:15-16; 49:31; 50:24
• Exodus 2:24; 3:6,15-16; 4:5; 6:3,8
• Leviticus 26:42
• Numbers 32:11
• Romans 9:7
• Galatians 4:28
• Hebrews 11:17

Top

Character

Disclaimer: Liberty taken with the depiction of Isaac.
Please remember the Bible does not
specify a description for most individuals.

Isaac is the first man in the Bible to be described as loving his wife (see Genesis 24:67). This tells us that Isaac was loving husband who valued his wife (though it doesn't necessarily mean that the other men of the Bible were not). We are also left to assume that Isaac was very close with his mother Sarah, since the effect of her death on him is mentioned (and still present) years later when he marries.

Isaac visits Gerar, just like his father, and uses the same lie his father used on the king there. Throughout Isaac's story, we see that he inherited both the negative (lying) and positive (faith) genes his father Abraham possessed. It is my understanding that the strong faith is what God desired to be inherited by His people.
Top

Descendants

Isaac's wife Rebekah gives birth to twins Jacob and Esau. Isaac favors Esau while Rebekah favors Jacob, but it is Jacob who inherits the covenant from God. Through Jacob, Isaac is the father of Israel and through Esau, Isaac is the father of Edom.
Top

Jacob / Israel

Jacob is son of Isaac and Rebekah and the founding father of the nation of Israel. After an encounter with God, his name is changed to Israel. Jacob steals the birthright and blessing of his older brother Esau. Referred to as both Israel and Jacob in the Bible, he is one of the more frequently mentioned people of the Bible.

Introduction

Disclaimer: Liberty taken with the depiction of Jacob.
Please remember the Bible does not
specify a description for most individuals.

Jacob is the youngest son of Isaac and Rebekah. His twin brother is Esau, whom he shares a bitter rivalry with during his youth. God eventually changes Jacob's name to Israel and it is his sons who father the 12 tribes of Israel. Throughout the blog I refer to him as Jacob to avoid confusion between Israel the person and Israel the nation. Upon his death in Egypt, Jacob's remains are carried back to Canaan where he is buried in the cave of Machpelah with the rest of his ancestors.
Top

Bible Verses

1. Genesis 25:22-34
2. Genesis 27:6-29
3. Genesis 27:41-46
4. Genesis 28
5. Genesis 29
6. Genesis 30
7. Genesis 31
8. Genesis 32
9. Genesis 33
10. Genesis 34:5,30
11. Genesis 35:1-27
12. Genesis 37:31-35
13. Genesis 42:1-2
14. Genesis 42:29,36-38
15. Genesis 43:11
16. Genesis 45:9,13,18,23,25-28
17. Genesis 46:1-8,25-27
18. Genesis 46:29-30
19. Genesis 47:7-12
20. Genesis 47:27-31
21. Genesis 48
22. Genesis 49
23. Genesis 50:1-14
24. Exodus 1:1,5
25. Exodus 2:24
26. Exodus 3:6,15-16
27. Exodus 4:5
28. Exodus 6:3,8
29. Exodus 19:3
30. Exodus 33:1

Top

Character

When we are first introduced to Jacob, he is not the most likable character. He tricks his older brother into selling his brithright, then proceeds to trick his father into giving him his brother's blessing. He is forced to flee at the threat of his brother killing him. During his journey to Rebekah's family, he is approached by God. This is when he has his famous vision of the ladder to heaven (the source material of the song "Jacob's Ladder:). Following this, his character shifts. He meets and falls in love with Rachel, daughter of his uncle Laban. Laban agrees that they may marry is Jacob works 7 years for him. When the 7 years are up, Laban tricks him into marrying Leah. Jacob works an addition 7 years to marry Rachel. While experiencing a period of barrenness, both Leah and Rachel give Jacob their handmaids to wife, leaving him with a total of 4 wives. When Jacob finally returns to Canaan, he comes back with humility (and fear), sending a multitude of gifts for his brother. The two patch things up, though they part ways shortly after. Through Jacob's narrative, we get to witness his growth as he walks with God and grows from a trickster to a man of God.
Top

Descendants

Jacob's first wife, Leah, has 6 sons and a daughter: Rueben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah. His second wife, Rachel, has 2 sons: Joseph and Benjamin. His wife Bilhah has 2 sons: Dan and Napthali. His last wife, Zilphah, has 2 sons: Gad and Asher. His sons are the namesakes of the 12 tribes of Israel.
Top

References

Genesis 37-50: The 12 Tribes of Israel

A look at the story of Joseph and more on the 12 tribes of Israel and how they came to be.

Introduction

The information in these chapters set up two major parts of Israelite history: the origin of the tribes of Israel, and how the Israelites came to be in Egypt. Here we discover some of the consequences of their previous actions, as well as learn about what prompted the Israelites to move to Egypt in the first place.
Top

Joseph

Joseph's story begins in Genesis 37 when Joseph is 17 years old. Our introduction to him includes the narative of him feeding the flock with his brothers—Bilhah and Zilpah's sons—and bringing back a bad report on them to their father. We learn that Jacob loves Joseph more than the other because he had him at an old age. This probably also had a lot to do with Jacob's love for Rachel as well. Rachel was Jacob's favorite wife, therefore it makes sense that her firstborn son would be Jacob's favorite child. To show his love for Joseph, Jacob makes him a special coat of many colors. The combination of this favoritism and Joseph's willingness to rat out the brothers' bad behavior, Joseph's brothers grow to hate him.
Top

Joseph's Dream

Joseph is given two dreams, both of which concern his family. In his first dream, Joseph and his brothers are binding sheaves when his brothers' sheaves make obeisance to his sheaf. The second dream features the sun, moon, and eleven stars. The sun, moon, and stars also make obeisance to Joseph in this dream. The stars clearly represent his 11 brethern, the sun and moon are thought to mean Joseph's mother and father. I also wonder if its possible that the sun and moon represent Israel and Egypt considering the people from all over the world come to him during the famine.
Top

Sold Into Slavery

One day, Jacob sends Joseph to check on is brothers, who despise him even more now that he's shared his dreams with them. When he gets to the field where they are supposed to feed the flock, his brothers are no where to be found. A man there informs Joseph that the brothers have moved so Joseph continues north to their new location. When his brothers see him approaching, they conspire against him. Reuben tells them not to kill him, suggesting they put in the pit instead. They take Joseph's coat and force him into the pit. As they feast at their triumph, they see Ishmeelites whom they think to sell Joseph to. Reuben, who is obviously not there when the brothers decide to sell Joseph, comes to the pit and is shocked to find it empty. Reuben questions the others and tears Joseph's coat in grief. When they take the torn coat back to Jacob, he assumes an animal has attacked and killed Joseph. Jacob is distraught and mourns for many days. Meanwhile the Ishmeelites sell Joseph to Potiphar, and officer of the pharaoh in Egypt.
Top

Joseph's Days as a Slave

God is with Joseph in Egypt so he prospers and is successful in all that he does as a slave. Potiphar (his master) takes note of this and promotes Joseph to overseer. Potiphar's wife also takes note of Joseph. She desire him and tells him to lie with her. Joseph refuses to betray his master and rebuffs her advances. However, Potiphar's wife does not give up. She gets Joseph alone, grabs his clothes and commands he sleep with her. Still unwilling to cross his master (and commit adultery), Joseph flees and is forced to leave behind his clothes. Angered at Joseph's refusal, Potiphar's wife tells the other slaves and eventually Potiphar, that Joseph has tried to rape her. She shows Joseph's clothes as proof. Potiphar has Joseph imprisoned to the same prison Pharaoh has his prisoners sent. God remains with Joseph in prison and he gains favor from the prison guard.
Top

Interpreting Dreams

While in prison, Joseph is joined by at least two other men. One served as the chief butler to the Pharaoh before being imprisoned and the other served as the chief baker for the Pharaoh before being imprisoned. Joseph overhears these two men talking about dreams they have been plagued by and wishing for the magicians of the land to divine the meanings of the dreams. Joseph tells the men that the interpretation of dreams belongs to God alone. He offers to hear and discern the meaning of their dreams, and eventually they oblige.
Top

The Butler's Dream

The butler is the first to seek Joseph's help in discerning the meaning of the dream. The butler tells Joseph that in the dream there are 3 branches which bud and bring forth grapes. The butler then presses the grapes into wine in the Pharaoh's cup and gives it to him. Joseph tells the butler that the branches represent 3 days. The dreams is interpreted to mean that in 3 days, Pharaoh will reinstate him. Joseph asks of the butler to remember him and tell Pharaoh about his circumstance (being wrongfully accused and locked away).
Top

The Baker's Dream

Hearing the positive outcome of the butler's dream, the baker decides to let Joseph hear his dream as well. In the baker's dream, there are 3 white baskets. Each basket is full of baked food and birds swoop to eat the food. Joseph explains that the baskets, like the branches, represent 3 days. However, the interpretation of the baker's dream is not as rosy as that of the butler's. Joseph predicts that the baker will be killed and the birds will eat his flesh.
Top

The Butler and Baker's Dreams Fulfilled

After 3 days, just as Joseph predicted, the butler and baker are summoned by the Pharaoh. The baker is killed and the birds feast on his flesh, while the butler is restored to his position. However, in all the excitement, the butler forgets to mention Joseph to Pharaoh, so Joseph is left in prison for 2 more years.
Top

The Pharaoh's Dream

Two years after Joseph's correct interpretations, Pharaoh himself is plagued with dreams and no one in the kingdom is able to discern the meaning of the dreams. It is at this time that butler remembers Joseph and tells Pharaoh of his gift. Pharaoh had Joseph summoned from prison and brought before him to interpret the dream.

Pharaoh tells Joseph that he has been having 2 dreams consecutively. In the first dream 7 healthy and fat cows are grazing, but 7 unhealthy cows come up from the water to destroy the healthy cows. Pharaoh wakes, then falls asleep and dreams the second dream. In the second dream there are 7 ears of corn grow tall, producing full ears of corn until 7 thin ears of corn sprout up and devour the 7 full ears.

First, Joseph reminds Pharaoh that it is not him that interprets the dream, but God (this is an important thing to note as we see many of the patriarchs reminding those around them that they are simply instruments of God who is in control). Joseph informs the Pharaoh that he is having one dream, given twice to indicate the finality of God's decision (Joseph's 2 dreams were another example of God giving the same dream twice with different symbols). Joseph identifies the 7 healthy cows and full ears of corn as 7 years of plenty. The 7 unhealthy cows and thin ears of corn are 7 years of famine. Joseph determines that there will 7 years of great harvest and plenty in the land, followed by 7 years of famine. He suggests that Pharaoh choose officers across the land to store 1/5 of the harvest each year, to be used during the 7 years of famine.
Top

Joseph Appoint 2^nd in Command of All Eygpt

Pleased with Joseph's interpretation and plan, Pharaoh makes Joseph 2^nd in command, noting that only he (Pharaoh) will be higher than Joseph. With this power, Pharaoh also bestows a new name upon Joseph: Zaphnath-paaneah. The translation of this name is debated, ranging from "the man to whom mysteries are revealed" to "Then God Said Let Him Live."^[1] Along with his new name and position, Joseph is given Asenath, daughter of Potipherah, priest of On as a wife. Evidence of Joseph, the 7 years of plenty, and the 7 years of famine are thought to be found through Egyptian records of a man named Imhotep who shares many similarities with Joseph^[2][3]. Note Joseph is 30 years old when he goes before the pharaoh and becomes the second in command.
Top

Joseph Descendants

Joseph and Asenath have two sons. Their eldest son is named Manasseh and the youngest, Ephraim. Both sons are born before the famine begins.
Top

Family Reunion

The First Trip to Egypt

When the 7 years of famine roll in, the famine doesn't just effect Egypt. The famine spreads across the whole earth and other countries come to Joseph to buy supplies. Hearing that there is food in Egypt, Jacob sends his eldest sons to buy some, keeping Benjamin with him. He fears something terrible would happen to Benjamin and cannot bear the thought of losing Rachel's only other son. When the brothers arrive in Egypt Joseph recognizes them but they are unable to recognize him. Before they are able to decipher his identity, he disguises his face and voice. After pleading their case, Joseph accuses them of being spies come to scope out Egypt's reserves.

Joseph tells the brothers that he will detain nine of them brothers in Pharaoh's prison and allow one brother to go back to get Benjamin and provide proof of their story. He keeps them all in prison for three days, then softens the requirement to one brother staying imprisoned and the other nine returning for Benjamin. Before the brothers travel back they discuss amongst themselves their guilt for selling Joseph, believing Joseph to be an Egyptian unable to understand Hebrew. Possibly softened by their words, Joseph sends them off with full sacks of corn and their money (unbeknownst to the brothers).

On arrival to Canaan, they report the events to Jacob, confiding that Simeon is being held hostage until they return with Benjamin. Jacob maintains his stance that Benjamin cannot go to Egypt. Finding the money in their sacks only heightens their fears about returning. Pleading to go back to Egypt to get Simeon back, Reuben tells Jacob that he may slay Reuben's own two sons if they do not return with Benjamin. Jacob still says no.
Top

The Second Trip to Egypt

Time passes and Jacob's family have eaten all the corn they bought in Egypt but the famine is still worsening. Jacob discusses the possibility of them returning for more. The brothers remind Jacob that they cannot return without Benjamin. Judah stands to take responsibility for Benjamin. He tells Jacob he will bear the blame forever if Benjamin does no return to Canaan. This time, Jacob agrees and sends the to Egypt with gifts for the man they will face, not knowing he is sending these gifts to his own son. Jacob also has them take double the payment to repay the debt from the last trip.

Back in Egypt, Joseph sees Benjamin with them and decrees that they will all feast together. The brothers fear this is a trap to punish them for not paying the first time they visited. When they bring up the matter to the steward, he assures them everything is OK, suggesting the extra money to God. When Joseph arrives to the dinner, the brothers present him with the gifts and bow to him (as in the dream). Joseph inquires about their welfare and the welfare of Jacob. Seeing his brother touches him so deeply he has to go to his chambers so that he can weep alone. He then returns to the feast. We are told that the Egyptians do not join in the feast because they are against sitting at the table with Hebrews.

Joseph then brings about the final test for his brothers; he stashes his silver cup in Benjamin's bag. When they leave to return to Canaan, he sends the steward to catch them. When the steward catches up to the brothers, they are seized and searched. Upon finding the cup, they escort the brothers back to Egypt where Joseph confronts them. It is Judah who speaks for the group. Judah explains to Joseph how Jacob feels about Benjamin and offers to take Benjamin's punishment. This is the moment Joseph's heart is changed toward his brothers.
Top

Joseph Reveals Himself

Joseph sends the Egyptians away so that he may talk to his brothers in private. Once they are alone, he tells them that he is their brother Joseph. He goes on to state that selling him into slavery was God's will, that it was good, because it allowed him to prepare for their arrival. He also tells them he wishes them all to move to Egypt. Joseph is insistent that they feel no guilt for their actions and bring their flocks along with Jacob to live in Egypt. When he tells Pharaoh of his plan to move his family there, he agrees. Pharaoh sends wagons and provisions for the journey to Canaan and back.
Top

Israel in Egypt

Hearing the wonderful news that Joseph is alive, Jacob agree to go to Egypt. God tells him that He will go into Egypt with him and the Israelites will prosper. So Jacob, his sons, and their families all go to Egypt The total number of Israelites that make the journey is 70.

Jacob sends Judah ahead of them to tell Joseph they have reached Goshen, outside of Egypt. Joseph meets them by chariot and tells them they will have to meet with Pharaoh. He tells them when Pharaoh asks their profession, to say shepherding. Egyptians believe shepherding to an abomination, so the brothers should ask to settle in Goshen (also referred to as the best land in Egypt).

Joseph takes only five of his brothers to meet Pharaoh—possibly to conceal their true number and to seem less threatening. Joseph tells Pharaoh that his family are shepherds, and when, just as Joseph prediction, Pharaoh asks the brothers what their occupation is, they confirm Joseph's statements. The family asks to live in Goshen and Pharaoh agrees. Pharaoh appoints them to oversee the cattle of Egypt. The clan patriarch, Jacob, gets a special audience with Pharaoh. During their conversation, Jacob blesses him and the two discuss Jacob's old age. This is part of the fulfillment of God's promise that other families and nations would be blessed because of the Israelites.
Top

The Bread Famine

Soon, they begin to run out of bread and people clamor to buy Joseph's supply. When people run out of money, Joseph establishes a barter system in which he sells them breath for cattle, horse, and other animals. This goes on for a year, and when the run out of livestock, they begin to sell their land. Once they have absolutely nothing, they sell themselves into slavery for food. It is pointed out that all but the priests, who are given special provisions by Pharaoh, are effected by this. Joseph establishes tenant laws similar to sharecropping, in which the slaves are able to stay on their land, but must give one fifth of their crops to Pharaoh.
Top

Judah

Judah is the 4^th son of Jacob; he becomes Jacob's most trusted son after Reuben, Simeon, and Levi commit heinous acts.
Top

Judah's Descendants

Judah marries a Canaanite woman who is the daughter of Shuah. He has 3 sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. His eldest son, Er, marries a woman named Tamar. Er is said to be a very wicked man, so wicked that God smites him. During this time period, it was customary for the widower's brother to marry the widow if she had not born children. The children produced from the widower's brother and the widow would be considered descendants of the widower. Since this was the case with Tamar, Judah has his second oldest son, Onan, marry Tamar. Onan does not want to have a child with Tamar because it would be seen as Er's child. We are told that he "spilled his seed on the ground" instead, to this day the name for this is onanism. Onan's selfish acts angered God and so He killed Onan too.
Top

Deception of Judah and Tamar

With two sons dead, Judah feared sending his youngest son to marry Tamar. Instead he tells Tamar that Shelah is too young to marry her and bids her to return to her father's house until Shelah is of age. When Judah's wife dies, Tamar hears the news and goes to Timnath, where Judah goes for comfort. When Tamar sees that Shelah is a grown man, she changes out of her window's clothes, places a vail over her face, and sits out where Judah will pass alone. Seeing a woman with a covered face, Judah perceives her to be a prostitute. Judah asks to sleep with her, promising to send a kid from his flock for payment. Tamar tells Judah she needs some form of insurance, so she takes his signet, bracelet, and staff as a pledge that he will send the kid from the flock. Judah sends his servant to pay the unknown prostitute, but Tamar has put her widow's clothes back on and the prostitute cannot be found. Three months later, news of Tamar's pregnancy spreads to Judah. He is furious that she has strayed instead of waiting for his son, so he tries to have her punished by death. Tamar interrupts to tell them that the father of the baby is the man who owns the signet, staff, and bracelet. Recognizing his own possessions, Judah acknowledges his fault in the matter. Judah admits his wrong doing and professes saying Tamar was more righteous than he.
Top

Tamar and Judah's Sons

Tamar gives birth to the second set of twins mentioned in the Bible. Like Jacob and Esau, these twins also have an interesting birth story. When Tamar goes into labor, one baby begins coming out hand first. The midwife places a red ribbon around his arm, just before the baby takes his arm back into the womb. However, the other baby actually comes out first. Tamar names the first born son Pharez and the second Zarah. Matthew 1:3 tells us that Pharez is part of Jesus' lineage (note Matthew uses the Greek spellings of the names as opposed to the Hebrew spellings of Genesis).
Top

Jacob's Final Prophecies & Blessings

Jacob lives 17 more years after they move to Egypt. Near the end of his life, he asks to be buried with Isaac and Abraham in Canaan. Joseph promises that he will take him back for burial. Jacob then decides to bestow blessings upon his sons, he also prophesies on the fates of each son. Having adopted Manasseh and Ephraim at the time he meets them, they are also included in Jacob's blessing. Not only does he include them, but they receive their blessings first and replace Jacob's eldest sons in rank.
Top

Ephraim

Even though Ephraim is the younger of Joseph's sons, Jacob blesses him to be greater than Manasseh. Jacob pronounces the name of Abraham and Isaac upon them, guaranteeing the two Egyptian born Hebrews grow in Israelite culture instead of Egyptian.
Top

Manasseh

Manasseh is blessed second, even though he is the older brother. Joseph tries to correct his father's mistake, but Jacob says he knows what he is doing. It is possible he does this as he himself was the younger son.
Top

Reuben

Jacob blasts Reuben for defiling his father's bed. Reuben sleeps with Bilhah, one of Jacob's wives, which is not only a sin but angers Jacob.
Top

Simeon

Simeon is condemned for his part in the deaths of the men in Shechem after Dinah's rape. Jacob says he will be divided and scattered because of his cruelty. Jacob also tells him that his anger is cursed.
Top

Levi

Levi is given the same condemnation for his part in the deaths of the men in Shechem as his brother. Jacob says he will be divided and scattered because of his cruelty. Jacob also tells him that his anger is cursed.
Top

Judah

Jacob tells Judah that he is the one the brothers will praise, they will bow before him, and he will be stronger than his enemies. Judah is compared to a lion's cub. Judah is given told that the sceptre and lawgiving will not depart from the house of Judah until "Shiloh" come. Shiloh translates to "him to whom it belongs"^[4]. This is considered a messianic prophecy with the identity of Shiloh being the Messiah or Jesus Christ.
Top

Dan

Jacob tells Dan that he will judge the people of the tribes of Israel, but he will also be a serpent that causes trouble.
Top

Naphtali

Naphtali is compared to dear that has just been set free. He is predicted to give good words
Top

Gad

Gad is predicted to be overcome by some group, but Jacob assures him that in the end, Gad will overcome.
Top

Asher

Asher is prophesied to have fat bread and yield royal dainties—this is probably symbolic of wealth.
Top

Issachar

Issachar is compared to a donkey; Jacob says that he is crouched between two burdens. Issachar's land will be good, but he will become a servant.
Top

Zebulun

Zabulun is told that he will dwell in a haven of the sea and a haven for ships. The border of his land is to be unto Zidon.
Top

Joseph

Joseph is said to be a fruitful bough and said to be the stone of Israel. Jacob states that the blessing on Joseph are greatest that the are as a crown on his head.
Top

Benjamin

The youngest son of Joseph is compared to a wolf. He is to devour his prey then divide the spoil; this is symbolic of being warriors of whom the others would benefit from due to their protection.
Top

Deaths

Jacob's Death

After blessing his sons, Jacob repeats that he wishes to be buried in Canaan in the cave of Machpelah with his ancestors. Joseph has the Egyptians embalm Jacob which took 40 days. The period of mourning for the Egyptians is 70 days after the Jacob is embalmed. Once this passes, Joseph asks Pharaoh for permission to take Jacob back to Canaan as he promised. Pharaoh obliges and even sends his servants to accompany Joseph and his brothers. Joseph and his family mourn for 7 days out of Egypt, then returned to Egypt.

Joseph's brothers fear Joseph once again when their father dies. They repent again and bow for Joseph professing that they are servants of his—this is the second time they have fulfilled his dream of them bowing to him. Joseph, however, tells them not to fear. He reminds them again that they meant to cause evil, God created a situation of gain for their family.He promises to take care of his brothers as well as their families. Most importantly when the brothers offer themselves as servants, Joseph refuses stating that he will not take the place of God.
Top

Joseph's Death

At 110 years old, Joseph dies. He lived long enough to meet his great-grandchildren; we are also told that Joseph adopted some of his son's children. Joseph reminds everyone that God will come to call them back to Canaan eventually. Like Jacob, Joseph wants to be carried to Canaan, though he tells them to wait to transport his body until they are called back. Until then, they embalm him—an Egyptian custom—and place him in a coffin.Joseph and Jacob are the only people in the Bible to be embalmed.
Top

References

1. "Zaphnath-paaneah". Jewish Encyclopedia. 1906
2. Wyatt, Mary Nell and Wyatt, Ron. "Joseph was Imhotep of Egypt". 2015
3. Sweeny, Emmet. "Were Joseph and Imhotep of Egypt The Same Man?". The Genesis of Israel and Egypt. 2^nd Edition. 2001
4. Holman Publishers. The Holman Study Bible. pg 92. 2014

Genesis 27-36: Jacob & Esau, Two Nations

Jacob and Esau are the first twins mentioned in the Bible. The children of Isaac, Jacob and Esau become the nations of Israel and Edom, respectively. Their story is very important to the history of the both the Israelites as well as the Arabs living in that region.

Introduction

Photocredit: gulizars

Jacob and Esau are the first set of twins mentioned in the Bible.In Genesis 25, their mother (Rebekah) is told that she has two nations in her womb. She is also told that the elder son will serve the younger—something that would have been unheard of at the time. Esau was born first, and Jacob, born second, grabs his heel when he come out.
Top

Jacob & Esau’s Rivalry

As prophesied to Rebekah while the twins are in her womb, Jacob was cunning and able to manipulate Esau.

The Birthright

In Genesis 25, we learn that Jacob has convinced Esau to sell his birthright. When Esau, who has been working all day and overcome with fatigue and hunger, sees that Jacob has made red pottage (or stew), he desires to have some. Jacob will only give the stew to Esau if he swears Jacob can have his birthright, to which Esau obliges.

The birthright was a big deal in the Bible. The first born son was the inheritor of the father's estate. Not only did the first born son receive a larger share of the father's wealth but he also received his title and his authority. Receiving the birthright meant that you were the clan leader or the patriarch of the family when your father died^[2]. Esau sold his rights to this for a measly pot of stew; I believe the details Jacob and Esau's exchange are meant for us to learn from. We should not be so easy to give up future rights, wealth, power, etc. for temporary satisfaction. Giving up you inheritance seems like a obvious bad choice, but the choices we face today are not always so obvious. Today, we may ignore gifts and commands from God to fit in with society which can cause us to lose our reward in Heaven. Depending on how far away from God we stray we may even give up our rights to Heaven all together. This passage is definitely a reminder for all of mankind to think rather than act in haste.
Top

The Blessing

When Isaac grows sick and blind, fearing death, he decides to confer his blessings upon his eldest son. This was a common tradition, much like the reading of the will in today's society, at the time.^[1]. Isaac sends Esau to make savory meat, after which he plans to bestow upon Esau his blessing. Rebekah overhears Esau and Isaac, and schemes to ensure Jacob gets the blessing instead. The Bible doesn't tell us whether or not Rebekah knows that Esau has sold his birthright to Jacob, so it is impossible to judge whether she comes up with this idea to ensure Jacob gets what was sworn to him by Esau, because Jacob is her favorite son, or because of the prophecy given to her by God while pregnant with the twins.

Rebekah has Jacob use goat skin to make gloves for his hands; this gives the illusion that his hands are hairy like his brother Esau. While Jacob makes the gloves she uses the goat meat to make the savory meat Isaac has requested. Jacob takes the meat with his gloved hands and blatantly lies to his father to get him to believe he is Esau. Isaac recognizes Jacob's voice but is fooled by the hairy hands and chooses to trust his hands over his ears. Believing Jacob is Esau, Isaac bestows his blessing upon him.

Shortly after Jacob steals Esau's blessing, Esau returns to his father's bedside with the meat he was asked to make. This is when both Esau and Isaac learn that they have been tricked. Esau cries out and asks Isaac to give him a blessing as well. Esau is distraught that Jacob has taken both his birthright and his blessing and thus, continues to ask his father for just one blessing. Isaac caves and tells Esau that he will break the free from Jacob.

And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck. Genesis 27:40 KJV

This does not stop Esau's anger, however. Esau despises Jacob because he has now been tricked and deceived twice. For this reason, he desires to kill Jacob and enact vengeance. His thoughts toward his brother are reminiscent of Cain and Abel, except Jacob is not portrayed as innocent as Abel was. Rebekah, knowing Esau's plan, seeks to save Jacob by sending him to her brother Laban. She tells Isaac he must go to find a wife because it is not right for him to find a wife among the Canaanites as Esau did. Isaac agrees and Jacob is send to stay with Laban.
Top

Esau & His Legacy

Esau marries at the age of 40 (before Isaac is tricked into bestowing Esau's blessing on Jacob). He takes 2 Hittite wives, Judith and Bashemath. Rebekah and Isaac are not pleased with this. After Jacob is blessed to go to Padanaram to find a wife, Esau realizes Isaac and Rebekah's disapproval of his own wives. In an attempt to please his parents and gain favor, he takes a third wife in the daughter of Ishmael, Mahalath.

However, Genesis 36 brings about confusion concerning who Esau actually married. In Genesis 26:34, we are told that Esau marries "Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittie." In Genesis 28:9, Esaus takes a thirs wife in Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael. Genesis 36:2-3 tells us that Esau married "Adah, the daughter of Elon, Aholibamah the daughter of Anah" and "Bashemath Ismael's daughter." So who did Esau marry?

An important note is that neither list claims to be the told number and names of wives Esau had. The listing in Genesis 36 clearly refers to the wives who bore him children. Genesis 26 refers to the wives he has at the time. There are many theories on how many wives Esau has and who they are. A discussion of these theories can be found here. In short, some believe Esau had 6 wives (including two sets of sisters), some believe he married 4 women, and others believe that these are the same 3 women. According to a commenter on the site previously mentioned, the issue is cleared up in the book of Jasher. The book of Jasher is mentioned in 2 Samuel 1:18 and 2 Samuel 1:18. There are two books of Jasher currently in the world, both of which are forgeries and are unlikely related to the book of Jasher mentioned in the Bible^[7].

In my opinion the theory of Esau marrying 6 women makes the most sense. Esau and Jacob had a great rivalry. We see that upon hearing his parents bless the efforts of Jacob to marry one of their kin instead of a Canaanite, Esau immediately goes out and takes another wife from their kin. Just as Abraham was told of Nahor's descendants in Genesis 22, it is likely that Esau would have heard that Jacob had 4 wives 12 sons, and if he hadn't heard, he found out when they meet again in Genesis 33. A common theme in Genesis is the command to be fruitful and multiply along with the idea that increasing one's seed (or having many children) was a sign of success. Esau would have seen Jacob's 12 sons as sign of Jacob out doing him yet again. Given the competitive nature of their relationship and the ideals of the time, it makes sense that Esau would have kept taking wives to gain children. Similar to Rachel and Leah giving their maids to Jacob as wives, Esau's wives may have encouraged him to take more wives as well.

Esau ends up with 5 sons. Adah gives birth to Eliphaz. Bashemath (Ishmael's daughter) gives birth to Reuel. Aholibamah gives birth to Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah. Esau also has daughters, though we are not told how many. Esau's family is too wealthy to dwell near Jacobs (their herds would compete for resources) so they settle in Seir. This land becomes known as Edom, after Esau. Esau's descendants become the kings and dukes of Edom.
Top

Jacob & His Legacy

After tricking Esau twice, Jacob is forced to flee to Padanaram where he lives with Laban, Rebekah's brother for 20 years before he can return to Canaan.
Top

Jacob's Ladder

We used to sing the song Jacob's Ladder in church all the time, so I knew the lyrics long before I knew the story. The ladder in the song is a reference to a dream Jacob has on his way tho Padanaram. In his dream, there is a ladder that connects Heaven and Earth with Angels ascending and descending the ladder. During this dream, God gives Jacob the same promise he gave to Isaac and Abraham to make a great nation of them.

When Jacob awakes, he anoints a stone in honor of God and names the location Bethel, which means "house of God"^[1]. Jacob vows that if God delivers him from the misfortune he's brought on himself, he will call the Lord his God and give one tenth of everything God gives him back to God. Jacob's quote sound sounds a bit arrogant, as though he is challenging God, however it could also reflect his doubt that he will ever be able to return to Canaan. He's been "thrown out" so to speak, and has no idea if his uncle will even let him stay with him. The Bible doesn't tell us what kind of provisions Jacob left home with, but presumably Isaac didn't send up with much (evidenced by the fact that he had to work 7 years to earn his wife's hand in marriage). Jacob most likely had a lot of doubts when God approached him in this dream. Alas, only God and Jacob know his state of mind as he uttered the words of Genesis 28:20-22.

²⁰And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, ²¹So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: ²²And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee. Genesis 28:20-22 KJV

Notice Jacob says he will give God a tenth of what he has. No where in the passage does God specify this amount. However, this is the same amount Abraham gives to Melchizedek in Genesis 14:20. This will be a standard practice after the law of Moses is given.

Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. Hebrews 7:4 KJV

Top

Jacob's Marriages

Rachel and Leah

With obvious parallels to the servant's encounter with Rebekah in Genesis 24, Jacob meets Rachel at a well. When Jacob meets Rachel she is tending a flock of sheep (side-note: Rachel is the first woman in the Bible to be mentioned as a herdsman, or having a job). Jacob falls in the with Rachel at this time and asks Laban (her father) for her hand in marriage. Laban agrees that Jacob is a suitable man for becoming his daughter's husband but requires Jacob to work 7 years for him to earn Rachel's hand.

After the 7 years, Laban tricks Jacob into marrying his eldest daughter Leah instead. Laban does this because at that time, it was unacceptable for the younger daughter to marry before the elder. Jacob is not happy with the situation as he loves Rachel and wants her for his wife. Laban makes him agree to another 7 years of servitude for Rachel, though he is given Rachel as a wife before completing the 7 years. In total, he works 14 years to gain his brides.
Top

Bilhah and Zilpah

Rachel is unable to conceive for most of their marriage, and when she sees Leah providing Jacob with sons, she becomes jealous. Like Sarah before her (who also had difficulty conceiving) Rachel gives her handmaid, Bilhah, to Jacob as a wife so that she can provide him with children through her maid. When Bilhah begins baring children and Leah is no longer having children, Leah resorts to the same method and offers Jacob her handmaid, Zilpah, to gain children.
Top

Jacob's Descendants

Leah's Sons

God gives blesses Leah with sons when He sees that she is hated by Jacob. She gives birth to 4 sons, then for awhile is unable to have more children. She bargains with Rachel gaining the night with Jacob in exchange for some mandrakes. After this Leah begins conceiving again. She as 2 more sons and a daughter. The children of Leah are as follows (the number in parenthesis indicates the son's birth order for Jacob):

1. Reuben (1)
2. Simeon (2)
3. Levi (3)
4. Judah (4)
5. Issachar (9)
6. Zebulun (10)
7. Dinah

Rachel's Sons

Rachel concieves at a late age in life, life Rebekah and Sarah before her. She gives birth to 2 sons and dies from complications in childbirth shortly after the birth of her second son.

1. Joseph (11)
2. Benjamin (12)

Bilhah's Sons

1. Dan (5)
2. Naphtali (6)

Zilpah's Sons

1. Gad (7)
2. Asher (8)

Top

Jacob Returns to Canaan

Shortly after Rachel has Joseph, Jacob asks to leave the house of Laban (with his wives and children). Jacob and Laban both agree that God has blessed Laban because of Jacob and Laban does not want to lose this blessing. Laban offers Jacob whatever he wants to stay. Jacob requests to continue keeping Laban's flock, but he wants the sheep and goats with speckles or spots. Laban agrees to this, but separates the sheep and goats Jacob has requested and gives them to his own sons. Jacob however continues with the plan. He makes rods out of trees and lays them before the herd and even though these animals are not spotted, they give birth to spotted animals. Jacob uses the rods to get the stronger animals to give birth to spotted offspring, but he refrains from using the rod on the feeble animals so that they produce solid offspring. Per their agreement, this ensures that Laban will get the weaker herd.

Once Jacob has a flock, tension increases between he and Laban. God instructs Jacob to leave Padanaram and return to Canaan. Jacob explains the situation to Rachel and Leah, citing Laban's hostility, deceitfulness, and God's command as reason for his desire. The sisters agree with Jacob and complain that they are treated like strangers in their own home by Laban. Since they are all in agreement, they pack and leave without telling Laban. As they leave, Rachel steals images of Laban's gods without anyones knowledge.
Top

Laban Follows Jacob

Once Laban discovers Jacob and his family are gone, he follows them, eventually catching up to them. When he catches the family, he complains to Jacob that he did not get to kiss his daughters and grandsons goodbye. Jacob explains his actions by admitting that he feared Laban would steal his wives and flock if he told Laban his plan to leave. As they argue, Laban begins searching Jacob's things for the missing idols. This only infuriates Jacob further since he does not know that Rachel has stolen them from Laban. Rachel hides the stolen goods inside a bench she is sitting upon. When her father comes to search the room she says that "the custom of women is upon [her]." Per the law given by Moses in Leviticus, anything a woman sat on during her period was considered unclean, thus kept Laban from touching the bench. Satisfied that Jacob has not stolen from him, Laban is able to discuss the situation more rationally. He and Jacob then make a covenant to part amicably.

It is important to note that the popular benediction (at least it was popular at my church growing up) stems from the words spoken by Laban to Jacob in Genesis 31:49. While many quote this verse absentmindedly assuming it is meant to confer blessing upon people, it is actually more of a warning between to rivals parting. Laban wanted to insure Jacob continued to do right by his daughters and was telling Jacob that even though he would not be there to watch over Jacob, God would. This is one of the many examples why verses should not be read individually and must always be placed in the proper context to avoid misinterpretation. I still remember a lady from my church bringing this to the attention of the congregation one day—though I can't recall if they stopped using that as a benediction.
Top

Preparing to Meet Esau

With Laban out of the way, Jacob is free to continue his journey but he fears that Esau still wants to kill him. When angels of God come to speak to Joseph, he asks them to go before him to Esau. Esau, who is now living in Seir which becomes known as the land of Edom (named for Esau), decides to meet Jacob. The angels return and tell Jacob that his brother will him and is traveling with 400 people. This only worries Jacob more. Jacob prays for mercy from Esau. In his prayer, he admits he is unworthy of mercy for his actions.

Jacob splits his group in half, hoping that if Esau decides to kill him, he will not will the other half of the band. Once he has done this, he sets aside 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams, 30 camels with their colts, 40 kine (cows), 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 foals to give to Esau. He divides them into droves and sends them via his servants to Esau. Each servant is instructed to tell Esau the animals are a gift or peace offering from Jacob.
Top

Wrestling with an Angel

With the servants delivering gifts to Esau, Jacob is left alone. An angel appears and wrestle with him throughout the night. The match continues until the angel dislocates Jacob's hip, but Jacob refuses to let go. Jacob tells the angel that he will not concede until the angel blesses him. The angel inquires of Jacob's name and when Jacob gives it, the angel changes his name to Israel. Jacob then inquires of the angel's name, but he does not receive a response. Jacob concludes that he has seen the face of God and was blessed to live. Jacob's injury from this encounter is given as the reason Israelites don't eat sinew.

This battle can be seen repeated throughout Israelite history, from captivity in Egypt to Nazi Germany to present day, the Israelites have struggled and though they did not win these battles, they did not lose either^[3]. Israel, the name given to Jacob after surviving the battle, means "he struggled.^[1]" Israel is the namesake of the Israelite people and nation both in the past and in the present.
Top

Jacob and Esau Meet Again

When Esau and Jacob are finally face to face, Jacob lines up his family with the handmaids and their children first, then Leah and her children, followed by Rachel and Joseph. Jacob then bows before Esau seven times as he approaches his brother. Esau runs to meet Jacob and the two brothers embrace and weep. Esau initially refuses Jacobs gifts, stating that he already has enough—from this we can assume Esau has "broken Jacob's yoke from his neck" as Esau is not only happy to see his brother but doesn't require payment for that which Jacob has taken from him. With some cajoling, Jacob convinces Esau to take the gifts and Esau offers to accompany Jacob on his journey. Esau's 400 companions would have provided ample security for Jacob and his family. However, Jacob politely declines and the two brothers part ways. Esau returns to Seir, and Jacob goes to Succoth in Canaan.
Top

The Tragedy of Dinah

When Jacob reaches Succoth, he buy land from Shechem, the son of Hamor. Jacob's purchase signifies Jacob's intent to shift from the semi-nomadic lifestyle of his fathers to a settle permanently in Canaan. It is while they are settling in here that a tragedy befalls his daughter.

Dinah, the daughter of Leah and Jacob, is born after Zebulun but before Joseph making her the eleventh-born child in the family. Dinah goes out to meet other women in the land, but ends up catching the eye Shechem, the prince of the land. There is debate on whether Shechem raped Dinah, or whether his actions were despised because he did not follow the correct procedure (ask the family for her hand in marriage and marry her first)^[4][5].

And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her. Genesis 34:2

Before we discuss whether or not the act was consensual, let's discuss the aftermath. After Shechem takes Dinah, he falls in love with her and begins to speak kindly to her. He then approaches his father and states that he wants to marry her. When Jacob learns what has happened, his sons are still in the field so he waits for their return. When the sons hear what has happened they are angry. They join Jacob in his meeting with Hamor, Shechem's father, when they return from the field. Hamor asks that Jacob give Dinah to Shechem in marriage and suggests that by intermarrying, they will become part of the local people which make it easier to by, sell, and trade goods. Dinah's brothers tell them that she cannot marry into the house of uncircumcised men. Shechem agrees to this easily and decrees that all the men must circumcised. Three days later, while the men are still in pain, Simeon and Levi go on a killing spree. They steal back their sister, take the flocks, wealth, women, and children of the land, and presumably sell what they have stolen. When Jacob discovers their actions, he condemns his sons and shames them. This action is the reason they do not receive a blessing from Jacob before he dies in Genesis 48.

Now back to the question of whether Shechem raped Dinah, or whether he simply had sex with her out of wedlock. While some of the points made by those supporting the idea that it was consensual are plausible, the actions of Dinah's brothers become inexplicable if Shechem did not rape their sister. During this time period it was common for defiled women (women who had sex out of wedlock) to be shunned. The family could have easily disassociated with Dinah, especially since Shechem requests her hand in marriage after the fact. The fact that she was no longer a virgin would have made it hard for her to find a good husband at the time and would have carried much stigma. The most dignified way to handle consenual defilement would have been to let her marry Shechem and disown her. Instead, her brothers kill all the males, pillage the city, and—most importantly—take Dinah back. Why would they want their defiled sister with them if she had consented to the act? The Red Tent is a a fictional novel attempting to expand the story; the novel follows the idea that it was consensual and that Dinah loved Shechem as well. Note also that the word took in Genesis 34:2 is the same word used when describing Abimelech taking Sarah from Abraham. We know that God did not punish Sarah for this, but punished Abimelech for taking a married woman, thus it is implied that Sarah did not go willingly. That same implication stands for Dinah. Also, the mention of love and speaking kindly do not come until after Shechem has slept with Dinah. For these reasons I believe Dinah was raped. Unfortunately, we do not get to hear her version of the events and no other mention of her is given in the Bible. Another question is this: Moses tells us the Lot's daughters willing tricked their father into sleeping with them, so why wouldn't he be able to tell us Dinah acted impurely?
Top

Jacob Moves

In the aftermath of Simeon and Levi's terror, God tells Jacob to go to Bethel, and to make an altar there. Jacob urges his family to prepare for the trip by removing all idols (such as the ones Rachel stole from her father), getting clean, and changing their garments. The household responds by giving Jacob both their idols and the earrings from their ears, and Jacob hides them under an oak tree. When they leave, the fear of God protects them and their family as they journey and no none sets out to harm them. On arrival, Jacob constructs an altar as God has instructed. It is here that we hear God Himself change Jacob's name to Israel. God also tells Jacob to be fruitful and multiply, just as he commanded the patriarch before him.

It is during this move that Rachel goes into labor with her second child. Rachel experiences complications in childbirth and dies shortly after. Before she dies she names he Benoni, which means son of my sorrow^[1]. Jacob decides to call him Benjamin instead.
Top

The Death of Rachel

Jacob buries Rachel on the way to Ephrath in Bethlehem. He sets a pillar on her grave and we are told by Moses that in his day people are still able to visit her grave. Present day, there is still a marker in this location, as well as synagogue known as Rachel's Tomb. Many people still visit the site and it is considered the 3^rd holiest site in Judaism^[6].
Top

The Death of Isaac

Before Isaac dies, Jacob goes back to his father's house. It is not listed whether he went just before he died or some time before Isaac's death. Either way, he is there when Isaac dies. Isaac lives 140 yeas before he dies. Esau and Jacob come together to bury him in Machpelah.
Top

References

1. Holman Publishers. The Holman KJV Study Bible. pg 54, 57, 64, 69. 2014
2. "Why is the birthright so emphasized in the Bible?". GotQuestions.org. 2015
3. Tauber, Yanki. Wrestling with Angels". Chabad.org. 2015
4. Fletcher, Elizabeth. "Bible Women: Dinah". Women in the Bible. 2006
5. Ford, Mike. "The Rape of Dinah". Church of the Great God. 2012
6. "Rachel's Tomb, Bethlehem". Sacred Destinations. 2015
7. "What is the book of Jasher and should it be in the Bible?". GotQuestions.org. 2015

Top