Genesis 35: Jacob Now Called Israel
Jacob packs up and leaves for Bethel. The people of the land did not attack Jacob because of a fear of his God that had been instilled in them. God appears again to Jacob and renews his promises of blessing and calls him Israel. Rachel dies after delivering her second son, Benjamin and is buried at Bethlehem. Issac, at 180 years of age, dies and is buried by Jacob and Esau.
Jacob buries Rachel by the side of the road at Bethlehem. A monument is set up there and the tomb is there to this day where Jews go to pray. An armed fortress has been built around the monument and it is accessible only by riding in on a bulletproof bus. The custom of placing a stone upon a grave supposedly came from Israel’s setting up a stone for Rachel. When I visited Israel, a young German boy showed me to the grave of Oskar Schindler where I added a stone to his tomb.
When God hems us in with his protection, who can possible hurt us?