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GENESIS 34–36; PSALM 20

Week 3, Day 3

If you believe that the Bible is the story of God’s dealings with our human race, as I do, you may wonder why Chapter 34 is included. It is a primitive story, full of violence. It makes clear, however, that Israel was already committed to a higher level of sexual morality than the other nations, and that at least to a degree, there was more respect for women.

But it’s also clear that they expressed their convictions in crude fashion, leaving Jacob in a perilous position. In this crisis Jacob returns to Bethel, with instructions to build an altar. It is as if the bad prospects were forcing him to re-examine his past, remembering his two major encounters with God, and to renew his vows. He remembers that God sustained him in other difficult times, and he turns to God again. It’s good to be able to call back some experiences of mercy to carry one through a current crisis.

Now Benjamin is born, and the family of Israel is complete. Here are the twelve tribes around which the nation’s history will revolve for centuries.

The long list of Esau’s family, constituting the nation of Edom, is not our favorite form of reading, but Genesis considers it essential to the story. As time goes by, the Edomites will appear again and again, generally in strife with Israel. So although Esau and Jacob are at peace (35:29), their descendants will dwell with the sword.

PRAYER: Grant me the grace, I pray, to hold deep convictions with a kindly spirit; to your praise. Amen.

What significance do you find in Jacob’s being called, at this point in his life, to build an altar at Bethel?