Sunday 13 December, 2015

Rachel died after giving birth to Benjamin. A tragic outcome for poor Rachel who just wanted to give her husband Jacob more sons. At least she died knowing she had a second son and that he was fine. After Rachel dies Jacob changes the name of his new born son. The passage also details the names of Jacobs other sons and which woman bore them.

It is fascinating that Jacob changed his son’s name from “Son of my pain” to “Son of My right Hand or Son of Good Fortune – Benjamin” Jacob didn’t want this boy’s identity to be based on the current very sad and unfortunate circumstance of Rachel’s death. Benjamin had a good life to look forward to and Jacob wanted his identity to stem from this. No matter what our current circumstances are like we have a future and a hope in God. Our born again identity comes from God not what we might be currently facing.

Dear God, thank you for the new identity you give us when we put our trust in you. Amen

Written by Ainslie Woods