And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.
And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned. And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years. And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob. For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle. Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom. (Gen 35:16-19, 27-29, 36:6-8)
Jacob lost his father and his beloved, but gained a son, and regained the land of the promise. The circumstances will set up what is to come when the family faces new trials in the future, but GOD is faithful, and GOD is with them. GOD has promised this land to Israel, as a family, and as a nation. They will possess it, and be protected and preserved in it, even when for a time, because of their disobedience they are not in the land. While GOD may have removed His hand of protection from time to time from the nation and people in Judgment, He has never abandoned Israel, nor will He fail in His promises to the chosen nation.
Neither will He abandon His Church, for we too are His people, though we do not replace Israel in the promises, nor in the mind of GOD. Those of us who are born again, adopted into the family of GOD, are the other flock which GOD has brought unto Himself by His mercy. We are bought with His precious blood, purchased by His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. It is our mission, by the command of GOD, to go and as we go, we are to tell the Good News of Jesus Christ, from Creation to Consummation, proclaiming from GOD's Word, the Gospel of forgiveness and redemption for all who will believe and receive, by faith in Him, the Salvation of GOD.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. You must turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Just as provided for Jacob and Esau, He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, and is our Life. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet