Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as we discover new insights and new perspectives from a very old book.
Genesis 28
Reading from Young’s Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
At the beginning of the Chapter, Jacob is asked to go to Bethuel, his maternal grandfather, to find a bride. On the way, Jacob has the dream with the ladder, builds a pillar there, and calls the place Bethel.
In the YLT, Young explains in brackets that "Bethel" means "House of God." On the NRSV it's explained in a footnote. I was naturally curious if "Bethuel" means something different. Some brief research tells me they're probably the same; Bethuel also means "House of God."
By naming the place of his dream "House of God," Jacob is saying that he found God in his own consciousness even though he was journeying to the "House of God" of his earthly ancestral home. And he essentially says that if he prospers, he will rely on his own consciousness from then on. He won't live a life of reaction to external events, but a life of freedom of action coming from the God that dwells within.
Esau, meanwhile, realizes marrying a Canaanite was displeasing to his parents, so he marries the daughter of Isaac's brother Ishamel. Because Ishmael is a son of Abraham, Esau thinks he's making amends for the first marriage. He's not acting, he's reacting. He again reminds me of Cain in the sense of "sin lurking at his door."
James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!
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