‘And Israel journeyed and spread his tent beyond the Tower of Eder.'
The name means ‘cattle tower.' It is unidentified but clearly obtained its name from some well known local landmark. But what is significant is that we see Jacob's new name applied to him in an historical record for the first time. He has come home as a new man. It is not Jacob who is coming home, but Israel. The contrast with ‘Jacob' in the previous verse may well deliberately indicate that the death of Rachel brings in a new era. In some way he is a better man for being free from her influence. But this final step in the journey is mentioned also for another reason. A reason of shame.
“And it happened, while Israel dwelt in that land that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father” s concubine, and Israel heard of it.'
The homecoming is marred. Israel may be coming home a new man but there is still sin in the camp. His son Reuben commits a great sin, and the news reaches his father. It is a sin that Israel never forgets even on his deathbed (Genesis 49:4) for it would bring great shame on him. It would seem that Reuben takes advantage of Bilhah's new insecurity, for now that her mistress is dead she may well have lost status and be vulnerable and in no position to deal with the advances of her husband's eldest son.
The significant use of Jacob's new name ‘Israel' stresses the final success of his period away. He is a changed man. The sin of Reuben warns against over exuberance.
“Israel heard of it.” The total lack of comment or of any indication of Israel's reaction speaks volumes. The writer is aware of Israel's shame and in deference to his master pulls a veil over the incident. It is enough that all will pass the same judgment and be appalled. It had to be mentioned because of the appalling nature of the sin, for it would colour the whole of Reuben's future. But it was passed over without comment because of deep sensitivity for Israel.
The record finishes with a genealogy of Jacob's sons, followed by the final homecoming and the death of Isaac. Such genealogies were commonly included in written records at that time and here it is especially pertinent. Jacob had left as a young man with only a staff to call his own, he comes home as the leader of a confederation of sub-tribes.
Now the sons of Jacob were twelve.”
The writer reverts back to the name Jacob. The name Israel will be take up again later. It was Jacob who had gone out, and now he returns a fully fledged confederation of tribes in the recognised twelve-fold pattern. His sons, apart from Benjamin, have grown up and are leaders of their own sub-groups, as what happened at Shechem (chapter 34) had demonstrated, and even Benjamin has those who watch over him. The picture is somewhat idealistic to demonstrate his outstanding success and the faithfulness of the God Who has been with him.