Genesis 35:16-20 gives the account of Jacob’s journey from Bethel to Bethlehem, the birth of Benjamin, the death of Rachel at the birth of her new son, and her burial. Although this account enlists the death of Rachel (Jacob’s wife), this is also an account of birth – a new son of Israel. Rachel in her travail and labor names the newborn son Benoni, meaning son of my trouble (or sorrow) but his father names him Benjamin, meaning son of my right hand (or son of authority). The new son is born in Ephrath which is also called Bethlehem. Ephrath (or Ephrathah or Ephratah) means fruitful and Bethlehem means House of Bread.
While literally, the naming by Rachel can be attributed to the travails of her labor and hence the naming of her son, Benoni, it is noteworthy that his father renames him as Benjamin.
Some see this renaming to be symbolic of Christ Jesus’ birth. Jesus came into the world to be the suffering servant of God, a man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3), to whom God gave the Name above all names (Philippians 2:9-11) and all authority in heaven and on earth and (Matthew 28:18). Jesus is the Son of Authority at the right hand of God (Hebrews 8:1). The King of kings and the Lord of lords will come as the Son of Israel (Revelation 12:5) as the Seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16), through Isaac and Israel, and is the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15). Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1, Luke 2:4). Bethlehem is not known for being the place where Israel’s favorite wife (Genesis 29:18), Rachel died, but it is known for the birth of the Son of God who came into the world to defeat the devil who had the power of death (Hebrews 2:14) once and for all (Hebrews 10:10).
Also noteworthy is the fact that from the line of Benjamin, comes Saul, the first king of Israel choosing (1 Samuel 9:1), and the Saul who became Paul (Philippians 3:5).
Points to ponder:
Everyone who believes in Jesus, the Son of authority, is born again (John 3:3-8), i.e., has a new birth (2 Corinthians 5:17) and has overcome death (John 11:25). When one is born again, they are changed from the old antagonist Saul to the new Apostle Paul who can be fruitful, in the world, when the Holy Spirit of God produces His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) in their lives. Do you have new birth? Are you born again? In other words, do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Benoni who is the Benjamin of God?
Genesis 35:16-20
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.
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