May 23, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis 37 – Joseph: The Hated Dreamer and the Beginning of a Divine Calling

Envy, Betrayal, and God’s Guidance in Suffering

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Bible Text – Genesis 37 (KJV)

¹ And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.

² These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.

³ Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.

⁴ And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

⁵ And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

⁶ And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:

⁷ For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

⁸ And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.

⁹ And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.

¹⁰ And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?

¹¹ And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.

¹² And his brethren went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem.

¹³ And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.

¹⁴ And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

¹⁵ And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?

¹⁶ And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.

¹⁷ And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan.

¹⁸ And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.

¹⁹ And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.

²⁰ Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.

²¹ And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.

²² And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.

²³ And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;

²⁴ And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.

²⁵ And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.

²⁶ And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?

²⁷ Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.

²⁸ Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

²⁹ And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.

³⁰ And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?

³¹ And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;

³² And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son’s coat or no.

³³ And he knew it, and said, It is my son’s coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.

³⁴ And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.

³⁵ And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.

³⁶ And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard.

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Introduction

Chapter 37 marks the beginning of one of the Bible’s most poignant life stories: the story of Joseph. It is shaped by human envy, family division, and divine providence. Joseph’s dreams reveal his calling but provoke rejection and betrayal. Yet through every hardship, God is already at work on a larger plan to bring salvation and deliverance—not just for Joseph, but for many.

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Commentary

1. Joseph’s Special Position and Dreams (vv. 1–11)

   • Favoritism: Jacob loves Joseph most (v.3) and gives him a richly ornamented robe as a sign of distinction.

   • Envy: His brothers resent him for this favoritism and for reporting them to their father (vv.2,4).

   • Dreams: Joseph receives two prophetic dreams foretelling his future exaltation (vv.5–10).

   • Reactions: His brothers’ hatred intensifies; his father ponders the meaning (v.11).

2. Betrayal by His Brothers (vv. 12–28)

   • Sent Away: Jacob sends Joseph to check on his brothers in Shechem/Dothan (vv.13–17).

   • Plot to Kill: The brothers plan to kill him, calling him “the dreamer” (vv.18–20).

   • Reuben’s Rescue: Reuben intervenes, suggesting they only throw him into a pit (vv.21–22).

   • Sale into Slavery: Judah proposes selling him; they sell Joseph for twenty silver shekels to Ishmaelite traders bound for Egypt (vv.27–28).

3. Jacob’s Grief (vv. 29–35)

   • Reuben’s Despair: He returns to find the pit empty and is distraught (v.29).

   • Deception: The brothers soak Joseph’s robe in goat’s blood and present it to their father (vv.31–32).

   • Mourning: Jacob identifies the robe and believes Joseph dead. He mourns deeply and refuses comfort (vv.33–35).

4. Joseph in Egypt (v. 36)

   • New Chapter: Joseph is sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh—setting the stage for the next phase of God’s plan.

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Summary

Genesis 37 shows how human envy, hatred, and betrayal fit into God’s grand design. Joseph’s journey into humiliation begins, but behind the scenes, God is already preparing his rise. Jacob’s tragic deception by his other sons highlights sin’s destructive power—and opens the way for divine intervention.

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Message for Us Today

Joseph’s story reminds us that even the deepest pain and injustice are not the final word. God can turn the worst betrayal into a life’s calling. If you feel misunderstood, rejected, or betrayed, remember: the God of Joseph sees you, guides you—and has a greater plan. True greatness often begins in the valley of humiliation. Trust Him even when you cannot see the whole story.

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May 18–24, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 6

Seth and Enoch

Read online here

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Introduction

In an age of growing godlessness, two men stand out as beacons of faith: Seth, the “substitute” for Abel, and Enoch, who “walked with God.” While Cain’s descendants indulged in progress without God and sin spread like a curse across the earth, a godly remnant remained through Seth’s line. Enoch, one of its greatest representatives, was a man of faith and vision. His translation is a prophetic preview of the redemption of the final generation.

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Commentary

1. Seth – a Substitute with a Responsibility
   Seth was no better by nature than Cain, yet he received God’s grace. His task was to carry on Abel’s spiritual legacy. With him began a line of people who consciously invoked God’s name (Gen. 4:26).
2. Two Lines, Two Cultures
   Seth’s descendants remained faithful to true worship, honored the Sabbath, and lived as “sojourners on the earth.” Cain’s offspring built cities and pursued wealth, culture, and pleasure. When the two lines intermingled, moral decay followed.
3. Adam’s Long Life – Testament to Grace and a Warning
   Adam lived nearly a thousand years to teach his descendants God’s will. Yet few listened; many blamed him for the world’s suffering. His death, after centuries of sorrow, was even seen as a mercy.
4. Enoch – the One Who Walked with God
   Enoch’s life of faith intensified after the birth of his son. For 300 years he maintained constant fellowship with God—in family, work, and community. His relationship deepened through prayer, retreat, meditation, and service to others.
5. Enoch’s Ministry – Preacher, Prophet, Example
   He proclaimed God’s judgment, warned of coming doom, and preached God’s love in Christ. He had prophetic insight into Christ’s second coming (Jude 14–15). His holy life and translation attest to divine approval.
6. Translation as a Sign of Hope
   Enoch was taken up before the Flood—a pattern for the righteous being caught up before final judgment. His disappearance shows that a life of obedience leads into eternity, refuting Satan’s lie that one cannot obey God.

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Summary

Seth was Abel’s righteous successor, preserving a godly line through his offspring. Enoch was the shining example of that line: a man of faith who walked with God in a godless world. His preaching, prophecy, and lifestyle bore witness to God’s will. While the masses forgot their Creator, Enoch lived with eternity in view—and did not experience death. His life demonstrates that it is possible to live holy even in dark times.

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Message for Us Today

1. Honor God amid the world. We live in an era like Enoch’s. Faithfulness to God is possible even when society turns away.
2. True faith shows itself in daily conduct. To “walk with God” means to live in relationship with Him every day—in family, community, and service.
3. Separation from evil preserves purity. Seth’s line was corrupted only when it joined with the ungodly—an urgent warning for today.
4. Prayer, meditation, and retreat are wells of strength. Enoch regularly sought God’s presence in silence—a model for anyone growing spiritually.
5. The end is coming—but with hope. Enoch’s translation symbolizes the future of the faithful. Those who walk with God today will be with Him at His return.

Lesson 8.In the Psalms: Part 1

8.5 Teach Transgressors Your Way
Forgiven, Cleansed—and Sent

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Introduction

God’s work with humanity doesn’t begin with a command but with grace. Isaiah wasn’t commissioned before his guilt was atoned for—but only after the glowing coal touched his lips. David didn’t promise to proclaim God’s ways before he was cleansed—but after God restored him. Even today, every call, every sending, every prophetic movement starts with one indispensable truth:
The eternal gospel—the saving, transforming grace of God in Jesus Christ.

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Bible Study

Psalm 51:9–17 – The Response to Grace

David had sinned grievously—adultery, deceit, murder. Yet instead of defending himself, he casts himself on God’s mercy:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (v. 12)

And then, once forgiven, he writes:

“I will teach transgressors your ways, that sinners may return to you.” (v. 15)

God’s grace doesn’t leave the fallen silent but turns them into witnesses. Those who have been forgiven are sent. Those who have experienced God’s love cannot keep it to themselves.

Revelation 14:6–7 – The Eternal Gospel First

Before the first angel calls for worship, before Babylon falls, before the beast is warned, it says:

“And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth…”

The gospel comes first—not as a preface but as the foundation. Everything else—worship, warning, judgment—only carries weight when grounded in grace.

The end-time remnant are not mere critics of the world—they are witnesses of transformation. Their light does not come from self-righteousness, but from the fact that they have been redeemed—and now burn with passion for the One who set them free.

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Questions & Answers

Question 1: What does David promise to do after he’s been forgiven and cleansed of his sin?
He says, “I will teach transgressors your ways, that sinners may return to you” (Ps 51:15).

• He refuses to remain silent. The forgiveness he’s received compels him to proclaim.

• He knows that only a sinner who’s experienced grace can point another sinner to true life.

• David becomes a teacher not by virtue of his performance, but by mercy. He has walked in God’s heart—and now wants to lead others there.

Question 2: What does placing the “eternal gospel” before the three angel messages tell us about its foundational importance?
The order is no accident. God doesn’t first call us to worship, warning, or separation from Babylon. He calls us to repentance—through the good news that forgiveness is available.

• The gospel makes worship possible—only in truth and gratitude can we genuinely honor God.

• The gospel gives meaning to warning—we know we’re inviting people into freedom, not fear.

• The gospel makes the end-time message credible—because we ourselves have been redeemed and changed.

Without the gospel, the three angels have nothing to say. With it, they bear the light of hope into a dark world.

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Spiritual Principles

• God never calls without first extending grace. Calling always follows forgiveness.

• Those who have been forgiven become messengers. Grace longs to be shared.

• The gospel is the foundation of all prophetic truth. Without it, there is no authentic message.

• Evangelism is not a duty but the natural fruit of a transformed heart.

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Daily Application

• Reflect on your own story. Where has God touched, healed, and called you? Share it!

• Start with grace. If you want to draw people to God’s truth, begin with His love.

• Be honest about your past. Your weaknesses often unlock another’s heart.

• Live sent. See every day as a chance—through words or deeds—to bear the gospel forward.

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Conclusion

Isaiah said, “Here am I; send me!”—only after he was cleansed.
David said, “I will turn sinners back to you”—after he received grace.
The angels proclaim judgment, Babylon’s fall, the beast’s doom—but first, they declare the eternal gospel.

The redeemed are sent. The forgiven become vessels of mercy. And those who grasp the gospel cannot remain silent.

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Thought of the Day

Evangelism begins not with a commission—but with an encounter with grace.

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Illustration – “I Will Sing”

Leon, 41, was a street musician in Cologne. He was known not just for his music but for his past—addiction, theft, prison. His songs sounded raw, honest, broken—like his soul.

One day he sat under a bridge, guitar silent, staring into nothing. A young man sat beside him—not to give money, but to listen.

“I know your story,” said the young man. “But I have another one for you. Want to hear it?”

Leon shrugged. The young man spoke of the Lamb of God who bears sin, of a judgment that frees rather than condemns, of a future where even someone like Leon is not forgotten.

Leon laughed. “Sounds nice. But not for me.”

The young man replied, “Especially for you. Because God doesn’t call the righteous; He calls sinners.”

In the days that followed, Leon read Psalm 51 over and over—until he wept.

“Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Create in me a clean heart.”

And then: “I will teach transgressors your ways.”

That became his verse. His calling.

He wrote a new song—not about pain, but about hope. Not about guilt, but about grace.

He performed it in the pedestrian zone. People stopped. One wept. A woman sat beside him. And Leon said, “I know your darkness. But I also know the light. Want to hear it?”

He became a singer of the gospel—not perfect, not polished, but redeemed.

One day, singing for youth in a center, he shouted, “Believe me—I’ve failed. But I found someone who never turned me away. And so today I can say: I am free. And I will sing.”

Lesson 8.In the Psalms: Part 1

8.4 Psalm 5
Between Judgment and Grace – Psalm 5 and the Message of the Redeemed

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Introduction

Psalm 5 is an urgent plea for justice—not only for the world but for one’s own heart. King David recognizes the stark contrast between the righteous, who seek God’s presence, and the wicked, who reject Him. This distinction runs throughout Scripture—especially in Revelation, where humanity in the end times faces a choice: whom will you worship? To whom will you give your life?

In Revelation 14:1–12 we see a purified company on Mount Zion—people whose mouths are free from lying, whose lives bear God’s name. They stand in strong contrast to those who worship the beast, exalt themselves, and have no place for truth.

Psalm 5 and Revelation 14 together paint not only prophetic realities but also a picture of judgment, salvation, and the final invitation to grace.

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Bible Study

Psalm 5 – The Righteous King Prays

David begins this psalm with an earnest request:
“Lord, hear my words; consider my sighing.” (v. 2)

He wrestles with the presence of evil in the world—lies, bloodshed, deceit. Yet he also knows:
“But I, by your great mercy, will enter your house.” (v. 8)

Not by his own goodness, but by God’s grace. The climax:
“Let all who take refuge in you rejoice.” (v. 12)

The righteous praise God not from pride, but in gratitude for forgiveness.

Revelation 14 – The Remnant on Mount Zion

The language of Psalm 5 resonates powerfully in Revelation 14:

• The redeemed stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion, not by their own strength but by His blood.

• They bear God’s name visibly on their foreheads (14:1).

• They sing a new song—the song of the redeemed, which no one else can learn.

• “In their mouth was found no deceit,” echoing David’s words about the wicked in Psalm 5:10.

The end-time message—especially the first angel’s proclamation (14:7)—calls:
“Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens and the earth…”

Worship is the central conflict. And like David, the end-time remnant worships God out of reverence and love—not fear, but conviction.

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Discussion Questions & Answers

Question: What similarities do you discover between Psalm 5 and Revelation 14? How does this shape your understanding of what it means to belong to God’s end-time movement of the remnant?

• Both emphasize God’s holiness: “The arrogant cannot stand in your presence” (Ps 5:5).

• Both stress that we cannot endure by our own strength: “But by your grace I may come into your house” (Ps 5:8).

• Both call the righteous to live and speak truth: “In their mouth was found no deceit” (Rev 14:5).

• Both highlight worship as central: “I worship in your sanctuary” (Ps 5:8) / “Worship him who made…” (Rev 14:7).

God’s end-time people aren’t a perfect elite, but a community of the redeemed who live by grace and shine as lights to the world.

Question: Imagine standing before a holy and perfect God in judgment, every deed laid bare. What does this prospect tell you about your need for Christ’s righteousness?

• Before God, as in Revelation 20, nothing is hidden: every choice, every motive, every secret is revealed.

• No one can claim, “I was good enough.” In His holiness, our righteousness is like a polluted garment (Isa 64:6).

• Our only refuge is Christ:

  • “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor 5:21).

  • “By His wounds we are healed” (Isa 53:5).

• Without Christ, judgment brings terror. With Christ, judgment proclaims grace—because the Judge is also the Savior.

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Spiritual Principles

• God’s judgment is real—but His grace is greater.

• Righteousness is a gift received by faith, not earned.

• True worship is grounded in the recognition of God’s holiness.

• The remnant stands not in pride but with the Lamb at their side.

• A life without deceit begins in a heart that allows God’s truth.

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Practical Applications

• Live in the Light. Regularly examine: Are there areas of my life not aligned with truth?

• Cultivate Worship. Not only on Sundays. Daily worship transforms the heart.

• Bear God’s Name. Not as a label, but as character—be merciful, honest, loving.

• Share Grace. The world doesn’t need religious slogans but a living hope amid judgment.

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Conclusion

Psalm 5 and Revelation 14 show us: Judgment is no terror to those who know the Lamb. It is where God’s truth prevails and His love triumphs. The remnant is not perfect—but redeemed. Not proud—but faithful. They stand there because the Lamb has brought them.

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Thought of the Day

Judgment reveals not only who you were—but who died for you.

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Illustration – “The Song on the Hill”

The first frost lay over the city as Amira wandered Leipzig’s empty streets. She had spent the night singing in a club—every melody of broken hearts, every voice drowned in alcohol, every smile hollow. It was her world. And it no longer satisfied her.

Amira, 32, a sought-after voice in the scene, had left home early chasing freedom, only to find herself trapped by contracts, performances, and inner emptiness. Her songs were honest, sometimes painful. Yet something was missing.

That morning, cold and shivering, she heard strange music—no speakers, no electronics. Real music. A voice—ancient, clear, unamplified.

She followed the sound and found an old man in the square, guitar case open at his feet, fingers thin but singing with a light in his eyes. He read from an old book, eyes lifted heavenward:

“Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come…”

Amira stopped cold. Judgment—a word like an icy shock. Not because she didn’t know it, but because she suddenly asked herself: What if it’s true? What if Someone sees—Someone who knows her heart?

When the song ended, the man looked at her—not piercingly, not condemningly, but simply human.

“You have a voice,” he said. “But do you have a song?”

“I sing for a living,” she snapped.

“I don’t mean notes. I mean truth.”

Amira turned away and left. But the song would not let her go. In the days that followed, she tried distraction: more work, more shows, more superficiality. Yet at night, the image of the old man and his words returned—of a God who hears, who judges, who loves.

Then she picked up an old Bible her mother had given her years before. “For later,” she’d said. Amira had smiled, as if time were endless.

Opening it at random, she landed in Psalm 5:
“Lord, hear my words; consider my sighing!”

Tears filled her eyes. She had never read anything that felt so personal.

“The wicked shall not stand in your presence…”
Was that describing her?

“But by your great mercy I will enter your house.”

Grace. Not achievement. Not success. Grace.

She read late into the nights, finally coming upon Revelation 14. There it was again—the old man’s song—and more:

“They stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion.”
“In their mouth was found no deceit.”
“They follow the Lamb wherever he goes.”

She realized: these people weren’t perfect. They were redeemed, purified, lifted up. And they sang a new song—one no one else could sing because it was the song of the free.

Then she read the verse that kept her awake:
“And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to proclaim…”

With a loud voice. Music. Truth. Courage.

That night she fell to her knees—not as a singer, but as a soul found at the cross.

“Jesus,” she whispered, “if your song is true—teach me to sing it.”

A year later.

Amira no longer performed in clubs. She now sang in churches, prisons, hospitals. Her voice was the same, but the song was new.

After one concert a 17-year-old girl in a group home asked, “How can you stand before God when He sees everything?”

Amira answered, “I can’t. But I know the One who stands for me. And if you want, He will stand for you too.”

Then she told her about that day in the square—the old man, the song, Psalm 5, Revelation 14. About the Lamb who carries her.

May 21, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis 35 – Jacob Returns to Bethel, Is Confirmed as Israel, and Experiences Loss and Promise

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Bible Text – Genesis 35 (KJV)

¹ And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.

² Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:

³ And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.

⁴ And 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.

⁵ And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.

⁶ So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, that is, Bethel, he and all the people that were with him.

⁷ And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother.

⁸ But Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth.

⁹ And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.

¹⁰ And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.

¹¹ And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;

¹² And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.

¹³ And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him.

¹⁴ And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.

¹⁵ And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel.

¹⁶ And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.

¹⁷ And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.

¹⁸ And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.

¹⁹ And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.

²⁰ And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave unto this day.

²¹ And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar.

²² And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:

²³ The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:

²⁴ The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin:

²⁵ And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali:

²⁶ And the sons of Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid: Gad, and Asher: these are the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padanaram.

²⁷ And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.

²⁸ And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years.

²⁹ And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

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Introduction

After turbulent years marked by cunning, conflict, flight, and inner struggle, Jacob returns to the place where God once met him: Bethel. There God renews His covenant, Jacob purges his household of foreign gods, and he builds an altar. Yet this homecoming is laced with sorrow: Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin, Reuben sins against his father’s concubine, and Isaac finally passes away. Genesis 35 is a chapter of contrasts — new beginnings and farewells, blessing and sin — but above all, it shows God’s faithfulness guiding Jacob toward the fulfillment of His promise.

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Commentary

1.God’s Call to Return to Bethel (vv. 1–5)

God summons Jacob back to Bethel to build an altar, prompting a spiritual and communal reorientation. Jacob responds decisively: all foreign gods are cast aside, garments are changed, and purification precedes the journey. In turn, God’s protective presence silences any pursuers — a quiet but profound demonstration of His power and care.

2.Jacob Builds an Altar and God Confirms His Promise (vv. 6–15)

At Bethel, where Jacob first encountered God in his flight, he erects an altar. God reappears, renames him Israel, and reiterates the Abrahamic promises: fruitfulness, nationhood, kingship, and inheritance of the land. Jacob’s worship—drink offering and anointing the pillar—seals this renewed covenant relationship.

3.Death of Rachel and Birth of Benjamin (vv. 16–20)

On the road to Ephrath (Bethlehem), Rachel dies during Benjamin’s birth. In her final moments she calls him Ben-oni (“son of my sorrow”), though Jacob renames him Benjamin (“son of the right hand” or “son of fortune”). The juxtaposition of grief and hope underscores that even in loss, God’s gift endures.

4.Reuben’s Transgression and the Listing of Jacob’s Sons (vv. 21–26)

Reuben, the firstborn, violates familial trust by sleeping with Bilhah, Jacob’s concubine—an act with lasting repercussions (cf. Gen 49:4). The text then catalogs Jacob’s twelve sons—the progenitors of Israel’s tribes—all born before the promised land is entered.

5.Jacob’s Return to Isaac and Isaac’s Death (vv. 27–29)

Jacob reunites with aged Isaac in Hebron. Isaac lives 180 years, then dies “old and full of days.” Notably, both Esau and Jacob bury him together, suggesting reconciliation at life’s end and closing the patriarchal narrative on a note of familial unity.

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Summary

Genesis 35 shows Jacob at the pinnacle of his maturity: he responds to God’s call, leads his family in purification, receives confirmation of his calling, yet also suffers the loss of loved ones. God renews His covenant and stands above all human failure. Jacob—now Israel—is no longer just the schemer but one guided by God. Rachel’s death, Reuben’s transgression, and Isaac’s departure remind us that even under God’s blessing, life remains full of pain—but God’s story continues.

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Application for Today

1. Spiritual Renewal Requires Purity. Just as Jacob called his household to discard idols, we must periodically shed distractions and idols to truly encounter God.

2. God’s Faithfulness Transcends Our Failures. Despite Jacob’s and his sons’ shortcomings, God steadfastly upholds His covenant. Our imperfections do not nullify His promises.

3. Loss Coexists with God’s Blessing. Rachel’s death reminds us that sorrow may accompany blessing, yet out of grief God can bring forth hope and life.

4. Reconciliation Heals Generational Wounds. Isaac’s burial by both sons models how healing and unity can follow years of estrangement.

5. Remember Where God Meets You. Jacob’s altars and memorials at Bethel and Rachel’s tomb mark divine encounters. We too should honor and remember the places and moments where God has spoken to us.