We live in a world that acts that death is an option. If we have the right diet and workout plan, then we will live forever. People are afraid of death. If there was a shot to prevent death, millions of people would take it. This is my introduction to Genesis 35:19-20.
My last blog on the book of Genesis was title, "Life Is Difficult." I wrote that Rachel died while giving birth; therefore, life is hard. Rachel gave birth to Benjamin. Mankind view point of death could be like Rachel. She named the son, "Ben-Oni", which means Son Of My Trouble. Does death bother you, so that you can't go to funerals? I have knew a few people that are that scared of death.
Rachel gave birth to her son and she died. Jacob had to mourn because his wife died but he needed to keep living life. Jacob keep on moving and buried his wife in Ephrath (nowadays called Bethlehem).Life still occurs when a loved one dies. I know that people will mourn differently. Jacob kept on living life, however, he was tearful.
I could image Jacob crying and talking to his loved ones about honoring Rachel while being strong. I have the same approach to death. I give honor to my dead friends and family by keeping on moving forward. Jacob had God in the center of his life, I have God in the center of my life. If a person has the forever picture, the person will see death has no sting. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 says:
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Jacob looked forward for the Messiah. He knew that the Messiah was the Redeemer. Hebrews 11:39-40 says:
"These were all commended for their faith , yet none of them received what had been promised, since God planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."
I will get back with the life journey of Jacob. Now, Jacob will bury his wife in Ephrath. He had a period of great mourning, again, we need to embrace that point. God will bring healing when we do this. Everyone does it differently. Genesis 35:20 says,
"Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, to this day that pillar marks Rachels tomb."
People may die but the memories of them will not. It is true that we will be all forgotten but our loved ones will remember us. If I pass on, most people will forget about me, but my close friends will still cherish me.
I will get even deeper. I said the world will forget you. When your close friends and family die, your memory will be forgotten. There is Someone that will not forgot about you. His name is Jesus. It is interesting that Rachel was buried in Bethlehem. Jesus has always been around but He came as a man on this earth to redeemed mankind. He was born in Bethlehem, where Rachel was buried. I will go back to 1 Corinthians 15:55-57. Death has no power of over the true believers in Jesus. Have you embraced the power that has conquered death? Merry Christmas and may you embrace Jesus, forever.
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWfgj9RMUeM&feature=youtu.be
