It came about as her soul was departing (for she died), that she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. Genesis 35:18 NASB Benjamin – No surprise here. Jacob renames his last son Ben-jamin rather than Ben-oni. To understand why, let’s put it in Hebrew transliteration. Ya’aqov names the boy, Ben-yamin rather than…
Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. Genesis 32:24 NASB A man – Perhaps you’ve read Crossing.[1] If you haven’t, then you should. It’s a book about Jacob’s struggle for self-identity, and, of course, it’s in Scripture because it isn’t just about Jacob. It’s about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob—and you…
The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; and two peoples will be separated from your body; and one people shall be stronger than the other; and the older shall serve the younger.” Genesis 25:23 NASB The older shall serve the younger – God dictated that Esau would serve Jacob. At least…
Rebekah was listening while Isaac spoke to his son Esau. Genesis 27:5 In the next few weeks I will publish a book on the story of Jacob. This is an excerpt from one of the chapters. Isaac’s life is one of spiritual weakness. In the face of God, Isaac wilts. He is powerless. He doesn’t…
Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. Genesis 32:24 NASB Wrestled – On the surface, especially in translation, the story seems straightforward. Jacob is alone. He fights all night. He is defeated but tenacious. He is blessed with a new name, Israel. But nothing about this story is so…
Now he arose that same night and took his two wives and his two maids and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. Genesis 32:22 NASB Jabbok – Everyone knows the story. Jacob wrestles. He loses. He is blessed. Israel is born. But maybe we know the story too well to actually…
He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.” Genesis 32:28 NASB Israel – Why is Jacob called Israel? The man (angel?) in the story tells us. Israel is somehow a name that means “striving with God.” Payne’s comment is instructive…
Whoever gives thought to the way he lives in this world will merit divine salvation. Tractate Moed Katan page 5 folio a The way – You and I have every reason to examine how we live. In fact, this examination is our only hope of actually changing direction and meriting God’s favor. Of course, as…
But Laban said, “It is not the practice in our place to marry off the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you shall serve with me for another seven years.” Genesis 29:26-27 NASB The other – Leviticus 18:18 presents…
“Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit” John 1:47 NASB Deceit – The Greek word is dolos. We are probably most familiar with the translation “guile,” but neither guile nor deceit really captures the flavor of this word. The word is used in classic Greek to describe bait for fishing and also…
