Bible:
Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor. And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for you have another son.” And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is the pillar of Rachel’s tomb, which is there to this day. Genesis 35:16-20 ESV
As for me, when I came from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).” Genesis 48:7 ESV
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:16-17 ESV
Reflection:
Cassie Logan was dangerously sick with a high fever. Some people in the community were dying of the fever. Her papa was away from home, but when Cassie got sick, her mama spent quite a bit of money sending telegrams to places her papa might be so he would come home. When Cassie got better, she worried about the money her family had spent on her. But Papa Logan told her about the day she was born. That day he had had terrible problems at his job and had come home without his pay. But when he saw his new baby girl, he knew that his problems weren’t as important as his little girl.
Rachel gave birth to a second son, but his birth caused her to die. It was very sad for Jacob to lose his favorite wife. Even many years later he remembered it and talked about it. But Jacob knew the same thing that Papa Logan knew–that children are a wonderful gift from God. Jacob loved his new little son even though he had lost Rachel. Rachel had named her baby Ben-oni, which means “son of my sorrow,” but Jacob named him Benjamin, which means “son of my right hand.” God gives children to parents as blessings, and children are always gifts and blessings to their parents, even when there are problems with sickness or money or stress.
Rachel died in giving life to Benjamin. That’s a little bit like what Jesus did for us. He died on the cross in order to win us to be God’s children. We are very precious to our Heavenly Father–so much that he sent Jesus to die for us. He loves us and keeps us as his own for now and for always.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us as your children, and sending Jesus to die for us. In His Name, Amen.
Source:
Taylor, Mildred D. Let the Circle Be Unbroken New York: Dial Press, 1981.
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