Mourning Has Broken

Genesis 35: 16-29

Rachel has great difficulty in childbirth during the move. And as Benjamin is born, she passes away. She leaves her son with quite a gift, naming him "Ben-Oni" or "son of my trouble." Jacob has the good sense to change his name to "Benjamin," or "son of my right hand." Would the circumstances surrounding his birth have left a bitter taste in his father's mouth? Why is Joseph the favorite son when Benjamin also came from the womb of his favorite wife? It does seem that later on, when Joseph is far from home, Benjamin is at least second on Jacob's list.

How would Leah have reacted to the passing of her sister? Would there have been feelings of guilt? Remorse? Satisfaction? I'm not even sure that she's mentioned again. Poor Leah, always second- and whose death doesn't even warrant a mention- could she have already passed on at this point?

Reuben, always the model child, takes this opportunity to sleep with Jacob's concubine and wife, Bilhah. Is he motivated by bitterness at the lack of attention he receives as a son of the less favorite wife? Is it an act of defiance- or is this just old-fashioned lust overpowering him at an emotional time?

And what of Bilhah? Was her act due to a lack of attention as wife number three? Was she longing for compassion and passion that Jacob wouldn't give? Was the choice of Reuben one of spite- or was she too the victim of overpowering emotions? It could be that Reuben and Bilhah were actually closer in age than Bilhah and Jacob. Could this have been a factor?

Finally, the passing of Isaac at the age of 180. It's a nice footnote that Esau and Jacob, who have lived so long as enemies were able to come together in this time of mutual mourning and bury the old man together.

Maybe this section's message is that none of us are spared from heartache. God's chosen lineage still deal with the death of loved ones, the betrayal of those they trust and love, and an eventual meeting with death head on. And while that's a sobering thought, what's even more important is that these heartaches are temporary- and the reward is forever.