Chapters 35-36 wrap up the story lines of Jacob & Esau as God sends Jacob to Bethel. These chapters name the children of each of the brothers and set the stage for the story of Joseph. Throughout these two chapters we find God's patience with Jacob -- over 30 years to bring him to the place of actually becoming the father of the nation of Israel. We see God's forgiveness of Jacob's deception and manipulation as He fulfills ancient promises originally given to Abraham, We see God give Jacob a new beginning with a new name, Israel. But we also see consequences for our actions.
