Genesis 35: 20-29

20 Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day that pillar marks Rachel’s tomb.

21 Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder. 22 While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it.

Jacob had twelve sons:

23 The sons of Leah:

Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun.

24 The sons of Rachel:

Joseph and Benjamin.

25 The sons of Rachel’s servant Bilhah:

Dan and Naphtali.

26 The sons of Leah’s servant Zilpah:

Gad and Asher.

These were the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan Aram.

27 Jacob came home to his father Isaac in Mamre, near Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed. 28 Isaac lived a hundred and eighty years. 29 Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

New International Version (NIV)

I have a plan. My strategy for getting through protocols when I’m visiting is hospitals is to look like I know what I am doing. I dress the part, and like the old television character Maxwell Smart, I walk boldly through doors to get to my destination. This plan always works until it doesn’t. Recently a receptionist stopped me. I told her who I was but she was not apparently impressed. I asked her to get the chaplain on call. I thought I was in because he had worshiped at Tallowood and knew me. Nope. God used the experience to humble me. More recently, I walked into a room to see a friend and found him surrounded by three impressive young men whom I did not know. They did not know me or look glad to see me. Thankfully, he vouched for me with his three sons. Seeing them walk their dad home to heaven is an image that has stayed with me. Imagine being surrounded by your children as your heavenly Father is calling you home. 

After he buried his wife, Israel headed home. One of his sons did something awful with his concubine. Israel heard about it. Whether we want to know or not, parents often find things out.  Jacob traveled with his family home to Mamre where his grandfather and grandmother were buried. He made it home before his father Isaac died. Isaac had missed out on the amazing growth of Jacob’s family, but he got to see them. Then at some point, he breathed his last, died, and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. I am especially taken by the last of the three descriptions of his death: “was gathered to his people.”  Many materialists and atheists believe death is the end of consciousness. But Isaac was gathered to his people. This may include burial in the cave of Machpelah at Mamre, but it means more. At death, Christians go somewhere to some people who know and love us. In the New Testament, Paul writes about being absent from the body and present with the Lord. Gathered to our people, at home with the Lord describes the believer’s experience in death. 

On this side of heaven, Esau and Jacob buried their dad. They had different relationships with their dad, but he was their only father. The privilege of loving our parents well is a great gift. My brothers and I gathered around my mom eight years ago. My mom did not go home as quickly as the medical staff thought she would. So my brothers and I encircled her and prayed for her.  She fell asleep here and woke up with Jesus. We love our families here and we trust God’s good promises that we will be gathered together forever. It is hard to let go of our loved ones here, but we know this is not the end. In Christ, we live together forever. Hold on this hope.  God has a plan. Just as he did on the first Easter Sunday morning, God opens doors. 

Pray with me:

Father, thank you that death is not the end for your people. Help us to love our earthly dearest well. When you call us home, we thank you that there will be others there to greet us and welcome us home. Thank you for our people, our families, and our church family. Help us to love our people well here until we are gathered with our people and all of your people in your presence. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Our Monday through Friday devotionals are in the book of Genesis this year. Join us for these devotionals as we learn together about our God and his Kingdom in the world.  

We also invite you to join us as we read through the Bible. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy here:

2025 Bible Reading Plan

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