Later, they set out from Bethel, and while they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult. Later, they set out from BethelThe phrase "Later, they set out from Bethel" marks a transition in Jacob's journey. Bethel, meaning "House of God" in Hebrew, was a significant spiritual location for Jacob, where he had previously encountered God ( Genesis 28:19). This departure signifies a movement from a place of divine encounter to the unfolding of God's promises in Jacob's life. It reflects the journey of faith, where believers move from moments of spiritual revelation to the practical outworking of God's plans. and while they were still some distance from Ephrath
"Ephrath" is an ancient name for Bethlehem, a town with profound biblical significance. The phrase "some distance from Ephrath" suggests a journey not yet complete, symbolizing the often incomplete and ongoing nature of our spiritual journeys. Bethlehem, later known as the birthplace of Jesus, is a place of fulfillment and promise, hinting at the future redemption narrative. This geographical reference roots the account in a real, historical context, reminding us of God's unfolding plan through specific locations and events. Rachel began to give birth
Rachel, Jacob's beloved wife, is central to this narrative. Her beginning to give birth signifies the continuation of God's promise to Abraham to make his descendants numerous. The act of childbirth here is both literal and symbolic, representing the birth of a new generation and the continuation of God's covenant. Rachel's role as a matriarch highlights the importance of women in God's redemptive history, emphasizing their integral part in the unfolding of divine promises. and her labor was difficult
The phrase "and her labor was difficult" introduces a moment of struggle and pain, reflecting the often challenging nature of bringing forth new life, both physically and spiritually. In Hebrew, the word for "difficult" can imply hardship and distress, reminding us of the curse of pain in childbirth from Genesis 3:16. Yet, it also points to the hope and joy that can emerge from suffering. This difficulty foreshadows the trials and tribulations that often accompany the fulfillment of God's promises, encouraging believers to persevere through challenges with faith and trust in God's ultimate plan. Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe patriarch of the Israelite tribes, Jacob is traveling with his family from Bethel, a place where he had a significant encounter with God. 2. RachelJacob's beloved wife, who is pregnant and begins to experience difficult labor during their journey. 3. BethelA significant location in Jacob's life, where he had previously built an altar to God and received divine promises. 4. EphrathThe destination towards which Jacob and his family are traveling. It is later known as Bethlehem, a place of great significance in biblical history. 5. JourneyThe act of traveling from Bethel to Ephrath, during which Rachel's labor begins, setting the stage for the events that follow. Teaching Points The Journey of FaithJust as Jacob and his family journeyed from Bethel, our lives are a journey of faith. We must trust God through the difficult and uncertain times, knowing He is with us. The Pain of Labor and Promise of New LifeRachel's difficult labor can symbolize the struggles we face before experiencing God's promises. Pain often precedes new beginnings and blessings. Significance of PlacesEphrath, later Bethlehem, reminds us that God uses specific places for His purposes. Our own "places" can be significant in our spiritual journey. God's Sovereignty in Difficult TimesRachel's labor was difficult, yet it was part of God's sovereign plan. We can trust that God is in control, even when circumstances are challenging. Legacy and FulfillmentThe journey to Ephrath connects to the broader account of God's plan for Israel and the coming of the Messiah. Our lives are part of a larger account that God is writing. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the journey from Bethel to Ephrath reflect the spiritual journeys we experience in our own lives? 2. In what ways can we find comfort in God's presence during our "difficult labors" or challenging times? 3. How does the significance of Ephrath/Bethlehem in biblical history encourage us to see God's hand in the places we find ourselves? 4. What can Rachel's experience teach us about trusting God through pain and uncertainty? 5. How does understanding the broader biblical account, including prophecies and fulfillments, deepen our faith and trust in God's plan? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 30:1-24This passage provides background on Rachel's struggle with infertility and her eventual joy at bearing Joseph, highlighting the emotional weight of her current labor. 1 Samuel 16:1Ephrath, later known as Bethlehem, is the future birthplace of King David, connecting this location to the lineage of Jesus Christ. Micah 5:2This prophecy speaks of Bethlehem as the birthplace of a ruler in Israel, further emphasizing the significance of Ephrath in God's redemptive plan. People Allon, Aram, Arba, Asher, Benjamin, Benoni, Bilhah, Dan, Deborah, Eder, Ephrath, Esau, Gad, Isaac, Issachar, Jacob, Joseph, Leah, Levi, Mamre, Naphtali, Rachel, Rebekah, Reuben, Simeon, Zebulun, ZilpahPlaces Allon-bacuth, Bethel, Bethlehem, Canaan, Eder, El-bethel, Ephrath, Hebron, Kiriath-arba, Luz, Mamre, Paddan-aram, ShechemTopics Beareth, Bearing, Bethel, Beth-el, Birth, Childbearing, Childbirth, Difficulty, Distance, Entering, Ephrath, Ephratha, Journey, Journeyed, Kibrath, Labor, Labour, Pained, Pains, Rachel, Severe, Sharply, Suffered, Travailed, Traveled, YetDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 35:16 5619 measures, distance and area Genesis 35:16-18 5095 Jacob, life
5720 mothers, examples
7266 tribes of Israel Library February the Eighth Revisiting Old Altars
"I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress." --GENESIS xxxv. 1-7. It is a blessed thing to revisit our early altars. It is good to return to the haunts of early vision. Places and things have their sanctifying influences, and can recall us to lost experiences. I know a man to whom the scent of a white, wild rose is always a call to prayer. I know another to whom Grasmere is always the window of holy vision. Sometimes a particular pew in a particular church …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling YearOur Last ChapterConcluded with the Words, "For Childhood and Youth are Vanity"...
Our last chapter concluded with the words, "For childhood and youth are vanity": that is, childhood proves the emptiness of all "beneath the sun," as well as old age. The heart of the child has the same needs--the same capacity in kind--as that of the aged. It needs God. Unless it knows Him, and His love is there, it is empty; and, in its fleeting character, childhood proves its vanity. But this makes us quite sure that if childhood can feel the need, then God has, in His wide grace, met the …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs The Death of Abraham
'Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.'--GENESIS xxv. 8. 'Full of years' does not seem to me to be a mere synonym for longevity. That would be an intolerable tautology, for we should then have the same thing said three times over--'an old man,' 'in a good old age,' 'full of years.' There must be some other idea than that in the words. If you notice that the expression is by no means a usual one, that it is only …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Trials and visions of Devout Youth
'And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The National Oath at Shechem
'And Joshua said unto the people. Ye cannot serve the Lord: for He is an holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that He hath done you good. 21. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. 22. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves, that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve Him. And they said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). In our last chapter we considered at some length the much debated and difficult question of the human will. We have shown that the will of the natural man is neither Sovereign nor free but, instead, a servant and slave. We have argued that a right conception of the sinner's will-its servitude-is essential to a just estimate of his depravity and ruin. The utter corruption and degradation of human nature is something which …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God The Birth of Jesus.
(at Bethlehem of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke II. 1-7. ^c 1 Now it came to pass in those days [the days of the birth of John the Baptist], there went out a decree [a law] from Cæsar Augustus [Octavius, or Augustus, Cæsar was the nephew of and successor to Julius Cæsar. He took the name Augustus in compliment to his own greatness; and our month August is named for him; its old name being Sextilis], that all the world should be enrolled. [This enrollment or census was the first step …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 35:16 NIVGenesis 35:16 NLTGenesis 35:16 ESVGenesis 35:16 NASBGenesis 35:16 KJV
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