After leaving Bethel, Rachel goes into labor. It is hard labor. She dies while birthing a son. Scripture says, “With her last breath—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni, but his father called him Benjamin” (Gen. 35:18). Ben-oni means, “Son of my sorrow,” while Benjamin means, “Son of my right hand.” This turn of names…
Tag: Rachel
Where Sword Edges Crash
Joseph’s name means “He adds” or “Add to” and was a prayer of Rachel’s: “May the LORD add another son to me” (Gen. 30:24). Jacob agreed to work seven years in exchange for Rachel. Joseph’s birth coincided with the completion of that seven years. The timing of these things is significant. Jacob asked Laban to…
One Flock, One Bride, One Man
After Bethel, Jacob resumes his journey to find a bride. He travels to the east, a land associated with man’s fall, Cain, and Babel. Abraham left the east by faith. Spiritually, it is the land away from the Son (Gen. 25:1-6). When Jacob arrives in Haran, shepherds are gathering sheep near a well covered by…
The Voice of One 