AS HER SOUL WAS DEPARTING
" And it came to pass, as her (Rachel's) soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin." (Genesis 35:18)

	Rachel was the wife of Jacob, a beautiful woman, and well favored with her people (Gen 29:17). Jacob "loved Rachel," and served Laban, her father, for seven years in order to marry her. His love for her was so great those seven years "seemed unto him but a few days" (29:20). You may remember that after those seven years, Rachel's father tricked him into marrying Leah, Rachel's older sister. The outcome of the whole matter was that Jacob served Laban for seven more years in order that he might marry Rachel (29:23-27). 

	It was soon discovered that Rachel was barren (29:31), something that appeared to contradict the promise God had reconfirmed to Jacob (Gen 28:4). By the time of our text, that situation had been reversed by the power and will of God. A clear line of demarcation was also drawn in the life of Jacob's household. God had appeared again to Jacob, commanding him to go up to Bethel, and build an altar of singular devotion to the living God (35:1). At that point, Jacob's household still had some commitment to false gods. He therefore commanded them to make preparation for the journey to Bethel by putting away their strange gods, cleaning themselves, and changing their clothes. In obedience "they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem" (35:4).

	As the little band traveled to Bethel for the building of an altar, "the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them," not allowing them to attack the group (35:5). Finally they arrived at the appointed place. It was the place where God had formerly appeared to Jacob, when he wrestled with the heavenly messenger through the night. Jacob built the altar as commanded, and God again appeared to him, confirming He would make of him a great nation (35:9-14). What a time of blessing it was!

	Now the group leaves Bethel, having fulfilled the word of the Lord. They were only "a little way" from Ephrath (Bethlehem), when Rachel began to travail in birth. It was not a mere precursor, but is described as "hard labor." Her child was about to be born! Sensing the seriousness of the situation, and that Rachel was herself near death, her handmaid quickly said, "Fear not; thou shalt have this son also" (35:17). And, indeed, Rachel, so greatly loved by Jacob, did die. Our text says that at the very last minute, when her "soul was departing" from her body, she named her child "Benoni" – which being interpreted is "son of my sorrow." Jacob, however, renamed him more appropriately "Benjamin," which being interpreted is "son of the right hand," or heir of the promise. He was the descendant from whom the Apostle Paul came (Phil 3:5). In a way, it was ironic. While she was yet barren, Rachel had prayed, "Give me children, or else I die" (30:1). Now, she passes while giving birth to one who would head up one of the key tribes.

	Here was a woman involved in God's eternal purpose to the very point of her death. Also, the Lord removed the one most dear to Jacob at a time when least expected. Too, from this sad occasion there came a God-blessed offspring. Jacob buried Rachel in Bethlehem (35:19). That city would be favored by another birth centuries later–one that would result in the salvation of men and a triumph over death.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You that good people and good things can be birthed at difficult times.

-- Monday: HEAD OVER ALL THINGS FOR THE CHURCH --