Hard Labor

 

Hard Labor

Genesis 35: ¹⁶ Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor. ¹⁷ Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, “Do not fear; you will have this son also.” ¹⁸ And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin. ¹⁹ So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). ²⁰ And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day.

 

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After GOD changed Jacob’s name to Israel, Jacob and his family traveled towards Ephrath. On the way, Rachel gave birth to a child. The child labor was hard. Rachel died.

 

My Observations:

• Rachel called the child “Son of my sorrow” but Jacob named him “Son of my right hand.”
• Ephrath is really Bethlehem, where JESUS took human form as a baby.
• Jacob lost the woman he loved the most.

 

Benjamin was born out of very difficult times. Rachel must have been pregnant when they went to Bethel . Jacob had a discussion with GOD and probably felt better. He was assured that GOD’s covenant with him still stood. But tragedy happened when Rachel died giving birth to his last son.

 

Rachel had difficulty in childbirth. From being supernaturally barren, to delivering Joseph and Benjamin, Rachel struggled and eventually lost her life. This blessed time was full of sorrow. Jacob made sure that people would not be reminded of sorrow so he named the child Benjamin.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell moses about Rachel’s hard labor?
• Have you ever experienced a difficult situation and allowed it to play over and over in your mind?
• Will you let the situation go and rename it so it will no longer have power over you?