Show Don't Tell: Genesis 35:16-20

The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long shadows over the rugged terrain near Bethlehem, where Rachel was grappling with the agony of childbirth. The air was thick with tension, a palpable mix of fear and hope. In the dim light, her breath came in ragged gasps, each contraction pulling her deeper into the abyss of suffering. The midwife leaned close, her voice a fragile thread in the chaos, urging, "Do not fear, Rachel! You are about to bear a son!" But Rachel’s strength was waning, and the world around her seemed to pulse with her fading spirit.

With a fierce determination, she bore down, her body trembling with effort, a symphony of pain and perseverance. As the life she fought to bring forth slipped into the air, her voice pierced through the veil of despair: “Ben-Oni,” she whispered with her final breath, meaning “son of my trouble.” In that moment, the weight of her sorrow hung heavily in the air, a reminder of the struggles and heartaches she had endured.

But Jacob, her devoted husband who had labored fourteen long years to win her heart, could not let grief overshadow this child. He cradled the newborn, a precious life born amidst tragedy, and with fierce love, he declared, “No, he shall be Benjamin—‘son of my right hand.’” In that instant, Jacob redefined the narrative of pain into one of promise and strength.

As Rachel's spirit departed, Jacob set a pillar to mark her grave, a testament to her love and sacrifice. He stood alone, surrounded by the barren hills, the woman he cherished now a memory etched in stone. He would carry on, with Benjamin by his side, a living legacy of both heartache and hope, as they continued their journey down the road yet to travel.