Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 35:16-29.
“16 Then they journeyed from Bethel; and when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and she suffered severe labor. 17 When she was in severe labor the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for now you have another son.” 18 It came about as her soul was departing (for she died), that she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. 19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 20 Jacob set up a pillar over her grave; that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day. 21 Then Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.
22 It came about while Israel was dwelling in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine, and Israel heard of it.
Now there were twelve sons of Jacob— 23 the sons of Leah: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, then Simeon and Levi and Judah and Issachar and Zebulun; 24 the sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin; 25 and the sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s maid: Dan and Naphtali; 26 and the sons of Zilpah, Leah’s maid: Gad and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram.
27 Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre of Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had sojourned.
28 Now the days of Isaac were one hundred and eighty years. 29 Isaac breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, an old man of ripe age; and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him. Genesis 35:16-29.
—————–
“Then they journeyed … Then they journeyed …” Verses 16 and 21. Today’s relatively short Scripture contains some of the journeys of Israel (Jacob). There was the encouragement by Rachel’s midwife, the birth of Benjamin, the death of Rachel, the immoral action of Reuben (with its sexual and defiant elements), and the death of Isaac. At first thought, it may seem like a random mix of events from different sources: some sad, some joyful, some surprising, some ordinary and expected, some righteous, and some wicked.
But then, we remember Jacob’s confession of faith earlier in the chapter: “God … has been with me wherever I have gone.” Genesis 35:3.
And thus, we gain insight and faith that though our life’s journeys may seem to be filled with a mix of events from different sources, there is one sovereign God in control of everything.
We also think of other Scripture as cross-references and gain encouragement from them.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.
“Even to your old age I will be the same, And even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; And I will bear you and I will deliver you.” Isaiah 46:4.
“… “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” Hebrews 13:5.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 