Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 35:16-21.
“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. When she was in severe labor the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for now you have another son.” It came about as her soul was departing (for she died), that she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). Jacob set up a pillar over her grave; that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day. Then Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.” Genesis 35:16-21.
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As sad as the death of Rachel is to us who read about it, we should not dwell on it too long; we trust God. We start by accepting the brevity of life.
“As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away.” Psalm 90:10.
“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,” Hebrews 9:27.
Even Rachel’s husband, Jacob a/k/a Israel, did not dwell on her death too long. He buried her and set up a pillar over her grave, but he then “journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.”
But, we also recognize what God has given us.
Regarding the significance of Benjamin’s birth, we read the following Scripture. “Then God remembered Rachel, and God gave heed to her and opened her womb. So she conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach.” She named him Joseph, saying, “May the LORD give me another son.” Genesis 30:22-24. Rachel’s only request was that the LORD give her another son which God in fact did for her and for others. We later see how much Israel loved Benjamin!
But, there is even more hope!
The biggest hope is in the verse following the verse (“it is appointed for men to die once”), Hebrews 9:27, quoted above. “so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” Hebrews 9:28.
Thus, our joy and peace are not reserved by thinking, or leading others to think, that we will never die. But rather, we live out our days joyfully and peacefully trusting God, and teaching others to trust God, that God fulfills all of His promises to us, including but not limited to: salvation and eternal life.
“So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12.
“Now behold, today I (Joshua) am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed.” Joshua 23:14.
“Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” Psalm 103:1-5.
“11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
The LORD gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!” Psalm 84:11-12.
“This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.” 1 John 2:25.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 