This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Genesis 35, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Once upon a time, God talked to a man named Jacob. God told Jacob to go to a place called Bethel and build an altar to worship Him. Jacob told everyone who was with him to get rid of their false gods and put on clean clothes because they were going to worship God. They did what Jacob said and gave him all their foreign gods and earrings, which he buried under a tree.
As they traveled, God made the people in the nearby cities afraid of Jacob and his family, so they didn’t chase them. Finally, Jacob arrived at Bethel and built an altar. God appeared to him and blessed him, telling him that he would now be called Israel instead of Jacob. God said that Israel would have many descendants, and they would become a great nation. God also promised to give Israel and his descendants the land that He had promised to Abraham and Isaac.
God and Jacob had an important conversation where God blessed Jacob and made promises to him. Jacob listened to God and obeyed His commands, which led to many blessings for him and his family.
Later, Rachel, one of Jacob’s wives, gave birth to a baby boy named Benjamin, but she had a very difficult time during labor. The midwife tried to comfort her, but Rachel was in so much pain that she died during childbirth. Jacob was very sad when he learned about Rachel’s death. They buried Rachel on the way to Ephrath, and Jacob built a pillar over her grave to remember her by.
Israel’s family grew, and he had 12 sons. One of them, Reuben, did something very wrong by laying with one of his father’s servants. Israel was very upset when he found out.
Eventually, Israel went to see his father, Isaac, before he died. Isaac was 180 years old, and he died soon after Israel visited him. Israel and his brother, Esau, buried their father.
Biblical Lessons
- God wants us to worship only Him and get rid of any false gods in our lives.
- God blesses His people and keeps His promises to them.
- People can do bad things, but we should always strive to do what is right.
- Death is a part of life, but we can remember and honor our loved ones.
- It’s important to visit and spend time with our family and loved ones while they are alive.
Related Stories
Must-Read Christian Books
The Pilgrim's Progress
A classic allegory of the Christian journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, saturated with Scripture.
View on Amazon
Knowing Scripture
Teaches how to interpret the Bible rightly, emphasizing its clarity and our responsibility to study it.
View on Amazon
The Discipline of Grace
Shows how God's grace and our disciplined effort work together in sanctification.
View on Amazon
The Enemy Within
A modern, accessible summary of John Owen's teaching on indwelling sin and the believer's battle.
View on Amazon
Nine Marks of a Healthy Church
Outlines nine biblical priorities for congregations that want to be faithful and healthy.
View on Amazon
Redemption Accomplished and Applied
A concise, biblical study of Christ's atonement and the application of salvation to believers.
View on Amazon
The Mortification of Sin
A Puritan classic urging believers to put sin to death by the power of the Spirit.
View on Amazon
Just Do Something
A wise, biblical approach to knowing God's will without paralysis or mysticism.
View on Amazon
The Bondage of the Will
Luther's classic defense of the Bible's teaching on human sin and God's sovereign grace.
View on Amazon
The Westminster Confession of Faith
A historic confession that systematically sets forth Reformed theology from Scripture.
View on Amazon
Biblical Preaching
Introduces the "big idea" approach to expository sermons, rooted in the biblical text.
View on Amazon
Reformed Dogmatics (Single Volume Abridgement)
A rich, Reformed systematic theology that is deeply biblical and Christ-centered.
View on Amazon
God's Glory in Salvation through Judgment
Argues that God's glory in salvation through judgment is the central theme of Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
A Puritan classic on learning contentment in God in every circumstance.
View on Amazon
The Whole Christ
Deals with legalism, antinomianism, and the grace of God in union with Christ.
View on Amazon
Operation World
A prayer handbook with up-to-date information on nations and their gospel needs.
View on Amazon