Bible Notes - Genesis 35-38

The purpose of Bible Notes is basic biblical literacy, and simple life application.

Genesis 35 - after the awkward (to say the least) incident at Shechem, God sends Jacob to Bethel, where he had the ladder dream.  God affirms His covenant with Jacob, changes his name to Israel, and protects him as they leave Shechem.  Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin.  Jacob goes back to Isaac in Hebron, and Isaac dies.  Amidst tensions with neighbors and family members dying, Jacob goes where God tells him - Bethel.  But he also made the choice himself to not live near Esau (end of chpt 33), and to return to his father Isaac.

Application: God's direction is sometimes clear, but often we react ourselves to traumatic events in ways that may lead to trouble, or may be helpful in the self-preservation kind of way.

Genesis 36 - Esau's descendants are listed.  Genesis is not an even-handed history.  It mentions every family tree line, but focuses in on the lives of those with whom God limits His covenant: from all Noah's descendants, Abraham - not Nimrod or Japheth.  From all Abrahams's descendants, Isaac - not Ishmael or his concubines' children.  From Isaac's descendants, Jacob - not Esau.  From Jacob's descendants, Judah and Joseph - not Reuben or Gad or the rest.  

Application: God knows all mankind, but takes a peculiar interest in His people.

Genesis 37 - Joseph's brothers resent his dreams, almost kill him, and sell him into slavery instead.

Application: do not underestimate the destructive power of envy in your life.  Kill it, or it'll kill you.  Resolve conflict, and admit it when you hate someone without a good reason.

Genesis 38 - Judah leaves his brothers, marries a Canaanite, his sons die, he sleeps with his daughter-in-law as a prostitute without knowing it.  When she is found pregnant, she proves it was Judah.  He admits his hypocrisy, sparing her and the baby.

Application: This is the head of the tribe from which Jesus comes!  You can make huge mistakes in life, even capital crimes, and God will still use you in His plan.