LIFE SCRIPTS

16 Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty. 17 And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, “Don’t despair, for you have another son.” 18 As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin. 19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 20 Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day that pillar marks Rachel’s tomb. 21 Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder. 22 While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it. Jacob had twelve sons: 23 The sons of Leah: Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun. 24 The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. 25 The sons of Rachel’s servant Bilhah: Dan and Naphtali. 26 The sons of Leah’s servant Zilpah: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan Aram. 27 Jacob came home to his father Isaac in Mamre, near Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed. 28 Isaac lived a hundred and eighty years. 29 Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
Genesis 35:16‭-‬29 NIV. https://bible.com/bible/111/gen.35.16-29.NIV.

As Jacob leaves Bethel, his wife Rachel begins to experience labour pains. The pain is so intense that she succumbs as she delivers her last born son, Benjamin. Interestingly, they were in their way to Ephrath. This was the name given to the city of Bethlehem where Christ was born. Rachel experienced labour pains and was forced to deliver her child in an inhospitable environment the same way Mary, was forced to deliver Christ in a manger. Rachel brought forth a child called Benjamin. The tribe of Benjamin was known as a tribe of warriors and had military prowess. However, Mary brought forth Christ whose trademark was humility but was still the Lion of Judah. Lastly, Rachel died as she delivered Benjamin but Mary delivered Christ who brought us life everlasting. The scripture continues to illustrate Jacobs family. From a lone patriarch, Abraham called by God from idolatry, Gods promises were coming to fruition. Jacobs sons would represent the tribes of Israel. From one man, God was fulfilling His promise of making a nation out of one man. God’s promises are true and Amen. It only takes us to believe. However the timing of their fulfillment is His. He might choose to fulfill them during our lifetime or after we are gone. He still remains to be God. Jacob had another contact with his brother Esau during the burial of his father Isaac. Death unites the estranged. It prepares a platform for reconciliation. Even though Jacob had previously encountered Esau, now, he had another golden opportunity to reach out once again to the brother as they celebrated their father’s life.