Going through the Bible a chapter a day.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2038&version=KJV

Welcome to Sunday where I review the chapters shared this past week leading into today’s chapter.

In chapter 32 you see Jacob prepares to meet his brother Esau. My Bible states that it could have been an act of restitution and reconciliation with Esau. Verses 28-30 Jacob receives a new name. Israel means either “God Strives” or “he strives with God”. The place where Jacob receives his new name is called Peniel, means “thr face of God”.

In chapters 33-35 you see where Jacob receives a warm welcome by his brother. God tells him to go to Bethel instead goes the opposite way to near Shechem. Certain terrible circumstances takes place in thime he spends there such as what happens to his daughter Dinah is raped and the brothers seek their own revenge against them for what the have done. Jacob learns what they have done and now fears for his life and home.

In chapter 35 you see Jacob returns to Bethel as God instructs him to and builds an altar there. Verses 16-20 Rachel’s death is recorded. Rachel who longed for a child, dies bearing her second son. She gives him the name Ben-oni which can mean “son of my sorrow” ; but Jacob gives him the name Benjamin, which means “the son of my right hand.” In verses 27-29 Jacob and Esau burried their father.

In chapter 36 it names the generations of Esau or better translate descendants of Esau. Esau descendants are known as kings and dukes while Jacob’s sons remain shepherds for generations.

In chapter 37 we come to the story of Joseph. Joseph is one of 12 sons of Jacob known as Israel. Jacob reports the evil for which his brothers are doing.

Verse 3 Jacob’s favoritism signified by the colorful tunic he gives his favortie son. The coat of many colora comes from the Greek translation of the Old Testament. The tunic sets Joseph apart as the favorite one. Verse 5-11 Joseph shares his dreams with his brothers and the hated him for the dreams.

Here we see futher into the chapter that the brothers about from Reuben plan to kill their brother. Reuben ask them not to do so or lay harm on him. They sell their brother Joseph for 20 pieces of silver. (Side note: One other person was sold for money and that was Jesus. He was sold for 30 pieces of silver).

The brothers killed a kid (goat) and dipped the coat in the blood to bring back to the father to convince him his son Joseph is dead. They lied to him and he did not know he was sold for he believed them upon seeing the coat. Israel (Jacob) refused to be conforted and vowed to grieve till the day he dies.

In chapter 38 is a mountain of a mole hill. Judah has son’s with Shuah the first is Er who is so wicked is slayed by God. Before that Judah finds him a wife named Tamar. Then as customary his second son Onan marries his brother’s widow. Onan is then slayed for what he has done as it displeased the Lord. Judah then tells her to go to her father’s house till his last son is old enough to marry her lest he die also. Tamar notes her father-in-law is in near and decieves him and he lies with her. This leads to him wanting to burn her having learn what she has done but she is pregnant by him.

Together Tamar and Judah have twins called Pharez “a breach” or “one who breaks through” Pharez becomes rhe ancestor of David who becomes the ancestor of Jesus Christ. Zarrah means “a dawning or brightness.” The struggle between the twins at birth is reminiscent to the struggle of Jacob and Esau, Judah’s father and uncle.

All information shared is found in my Bible The KJV Cross Reference Study Bible. As well as Bible verses having read through the Bible. Amazing to see how one decision can cause a ripple affect. The Bible is amazong to see that even those we love to study about struggled with the flesh and obeying God. It’s by His grace and Mercy we are free. We will never be perfect but we can be saved from our sins by turning to the one who can save us.

Will meet you back here again next Sunday after another week of studying God’s word. I can’t wait to see where we venture into and what the Lord will reveal in this chapters.

God bless you and your loved ones.