Finishing Well, Genesis 35:1-15

The Story of Jacob

"And they lived happily ever after."

That's how good stories are supposed to end. No matter the difficulty, challenges, and struggles a character might have faced, we long for them to overcome, be victorious, or achieve success, then live the rest of their days "happily ever after."

Chapter 34 is one of the saddest and most despicable chapters in the Bible. It is such an ugly testimony that it is hard to find anything good to say about it. It is not a good moment in Jacob's story. However, in chapter 35, we witness a high moment in the life of Jacob.

Jacob is now an old man, but God is still working in his life. Old age can be seen as a time to slow down and rest. But, more dangerously, it can also be seen as a time to coast, relying on past efforts and decisions. Yet we see in Jacob that even in old age, he was ready to respond to the Lord's leadership.