Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Hold me up, and I shall be safe, And I shall observe Your statutes continually." Psalm 119:117
Text: Genesis 35:1-29
A SMALL HISTORICAL NOTE: THE DEMISE OF DEBORAH
A small historical note was appended to mark the demise of Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse. Her passing away must have been of special personal importance. Her presence was briefly noted when Rebekah accompanied Eliezer, Abraham’s servant to Canaan (Cf. Genesis 24:59).
“Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died,
and she was buried below Bethel under
the terebinth tree. So the name of it
was called Allon Bachuth.” GENESIS 35:8
There was much sadness at her demise. Her place of burial was called “The Terebinth of Weeping”. Why would Deborah be remembered in this special way?
1. Remembered for her faithfulness
Deborah was probably Rebekah’s wet nurse. She looked after Rebekah all her life. She faithfully accompanied her charge Rebekah when she undertook the long journey to Canaan to be married to Isaac.
2. Remembered for her relationship to Rebekah
Deborah must have been rather old by the time she died! It is significant that there had been no mention at all of Rebekah herself. She was the one who loved Jacob best. If she had been alive at all, she would have spared no effort to see her beloved son. Instead Deborah’s demise was recorded. She would always be remembered for her relationship to Rebekah. She must have been one very devoted wet nurse!
ANOTHER SPECIAL APPEARANCE FROM GOD
At Bethel, God made another special appearance to Jacob. It was the Lord who told Jacob to meet with Him at Bethel. Graciously, He spoke to Jacob again.
“Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from
Padan Aram, and blessed him. And God said to him,
‘Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called
Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.’
So He called his name Israel.”
GENESIS 35:9-10At El Bethel
How many times did God meet with Jacob at Bethel? At least three times! The first time, was when he fled Canaan to go to Padan Aram. The second time was when he returned to Canaan. This was the third time Jacob met with God at Bethel!
The Promise of Blessing
How precious it is to know that God would still bless – despite sins in the family!