top of page

January 24

ASaunders

Covenant Renewal, Generational Blessings, and Divine Dreams


Genesis 35-37 marks a significant transition in the story of the patriarchs, highlighting God’s covenant faithfulness, the complexities of family dynamics, and the beginning of Joseph’s story. These chapters remind us of God’s unwavering commitment to His promises and His sovereignty in all circumstances, even through human weakness and sin.


Genesis 35 is a pivotal chapter in Jacob’s journey of faith. It recounts God’s call for Jacob to return to Bethel, where He first appeared to him during his flight from Esau (v. 1). Jacob responds by calling his household to abandon foreign gods and purify themselves, preparing them to worship the one true God. So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem (v. 2-4). By purging their idols and cleansing themselves as Jacob had instructed, they prepared to approach God with renewed hearts and focus. This moment reminds us how important it is to let go of anything that gets in the way of our devotion to God. It challenges us to clear out the distractions and barriers that pull our attention away from fully focusing on Him.


Arriving back in Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan, Jacob built an altar there as God had instructed him to do (v. 6). At Bethel, God appears to Jacob again, where He reaffirms the covenant He made with Abraham and Isaac and He reiterates Jacob’s new name, “Israel” (v. 9-10). God promises that kings and nations will come from his descendants and that the land He gave to Abraham and Isaac will belong to them (v. 11-12). Jacob responds by setting up a stone pillar and pouring out a drink offering, marking the place where God had spoken with him (v. 14-15). This moment signifies a spiritual renewal for Jacob and his family, a return to God’s covenant promises. Jacob’s obedience and God’s reaffirmation remind us that, despite past failures, God remains faithful to His covenant and calls His people back to Himself.


As they move on from Bethel, Jacob’s family faces significant challenges. Rachel dies during the birth of her second child. She names her son Ben-Oni, “son of my sorrow,” but Jacob renames him, Benjamin, “son of my right hand” (v. 16-18). As Rachel suffered through childbirth, she named her son based on her pain, maybe Jacob would not endure having his son’s name constantly remind him of his beloved wife’s death, so he would change the name to something that gave him more comfort. That point, at least, is understandable. Jacob turned this occasion of sorrow into triumph.


Shortly after, Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder.  While they are living in that region, Reuben sins grievously by sleeping with Bilhah, Jacob’s concubine and Rachel’s servant, by whom he had two sons, Dan and Naphtali (v. 22). This act will create future consequences for his family. Finally, Jacob comes home to his father, Isaac, in Mamre (v. 27). Isaac dies at 180 years old, and Jacob and Esau reunite to bury their father (v. 28-29).


Despite personal losses and trials, Jacob experienced God’s sustaining presence and guidance. This chapter teaches us that even in seasons of hardship and transition, God remains sovereign, faithful, and near to His people. As believers, we are called to continually turn our hearts to Him, let go of anything that hinders our devotion, and trust that He is working out His purposes in our lives for His glory and our ultimate good.

 

Chapter 36 identifies Esau’s family, including his wives, children, and grandchildren (v. 1-4). Esau settled in the hill country of Seir, separating from Jacob because of the abundance of their possessions. The land could not support both of their growing households and livestock, so Esau moved to Edom (v. 6-8). The remainder of the chapter lists, in detail, Esau’s descendants highlighting his sons, grandsons, chiefs, and their tribes, with the latter part listing the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the Israelites.. This establishes Edom as a structured and established nation. The emphasis on Edom’s kingship foreshadows future tensions between the descendants of Jacob (Israel) and Esau (Edom).


The genealogy of Esau, also called Edom, shows the fulfillment of God’s promise to make him a great nation (Genesis 25:23). While Esau is not part of the covenantal line through which God’s redemptive plan would unfold, God still blessed him materially and gave him a legacy through the Edomite nation, demonstrating that God’s grace and care extend to all people.


While Genesis 36 records the prosperity and rise of Esau’s descendants, their earthly kingdom was temporary. Edom would later fall, while God’s covenant with Jacob and His redemptive plan would continue. Consequently, this chapter also serves as a reminder that material success and worldly prosperity are fleeting compared to the eternal significance of being part of God’s covenant plan. One should value eternal blessings over temporary success, prioritizing a relationship with God above worldly achievements.


Genesis 37 marks the beginning of Joseph’s extraordinary story, one of the most compelling narratives in the Bible. This chapter explores themes of favoritism, jealousy, and God’s sovereign hand in human affairs, setting the stage for the unfolding of God’s purposes in the life of Jacob’s family and, ultimately, the salvation of His people.


Joseph was Jacob’s beloved son, born in his old age and from his favored wife, Rachel. Jacob’s open favoritism is symbolized by the richly ornamented robe he gave Joseph, sparking resentment among his brothers (v. 3-4). Favoritism within families leads to division and strife. Jacob’s favoritism toward Joseph mirrors his own experience with Isaac and Rebekah, showing how generational sins can persist when not addressed.


Matters worsened when Joseph shared two prophetic dreams that implied that his future would rise above his family (v. 5-10). God often reveals His purposes in ways that are not immediately understood. Joseph’s dreams were a glimpse of God’s sovereign plan for his life, though their full meaning would not unfold for many years.


Joseph’s brothers’ hatred culminated in betrayal. When Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers in Shechem, they conspired to kill him. Reuben, the eldest, intervened to spare Joseph’s life, persuading the others to throw him into a cistern instead, hoping to rescue him later (v. 18-22). While Joseph is in the cistern, the brothers see a caravan of Ishmaelites traveling to Egypt. Judah suggests selling Joseph instead of killing him, and they sell him for 20 shekels of silver (v. 26-28). To cover their actions, the brothers dip Joseph’s robe in goat’s blood and present it to Jacob, who believes Joseph has been killed by a wild animal. Jacob mourned deeply, believing his beloved son was gone forever (v. 31-34). Meanwhile, Joseph is sold in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh (v. 36).


Though sold into slavery, Joseph’s journey to Egypt was part of God’s plan to save His people in the future (Genesis 50:20). Joseph’s journey to Egypt sets the stage for God’s plan to preserve Jacob’s family and fulfill His covenant promises. God’s sovereignty is not thwarted by human sin or failure. He uses even the sinful actions of others to accomplish His purposes and bring about His redemptive plan. While Genesis 37 ends with Joseph enslaved and Jacob grieving, the chapter is a reminder of God’s overarching sovereignty. Joseph’s story is not one of chance or misfortune but of God’s divine orchestration.


Overall, Genesis 35-37 offers rich lessons about God’s faithfulness, human failure, and divine providence. Jacob’s covenant renewal at Bethel reminds us of the importance of spiritual renewal and worship. Esau’s genealogy highlights the contrast between worldly success and eternal blessings. Finally, Joseph’s story begins with betrayal but points to God’s sovereign ability to work through human sin for His glory and the good of His people.

Comments


bottom of page