Repetitions At Bethel

Why does our narrator bring up the death and burial of Deborah, of whom we know virtually nothing? A striking and important aspect of today's passage is the number of things which occur which have occurred before. What is the significance of all of the repetitions? Among these are Jacob's return to Bethel, even as Abraham returned to Bethel, God's second appearance to Jacob at Bethel, God's renaming of Jacob, God's restating again, for the twelfth time, the covenant promises. What are the lessons we can learn from Bethel that have application in our own experiences? (50 min.)