Genesis 35:1-29
Have you made any circles in your life? Going back to where you started? Jacob was told by God to go back to Bethel, where Jacob first encountered God as he was fleeing from Esau, 20 years before.
God told Jacob to build an altar to Him, the living God. Jacob told his household to get rid of all idols, foreign gods and cleanse themselves, change your clothes we’re moving to Bethel. When they arrived Jacob made an altar to God. He told his household, that God was the One who answered him in his distress and this same God was the One who had been with him while away from this land.
All the idols and rings in their ears were given to Jacob, he dug a hole and buried the lot.
- What do you worship other than God? Some people worship the political party they side with; others worship the stock market and/or money; perhaps a favorite preacher or teacher; family; jewelry; “stuff”; What do you worship other than God?
What do you need to hide away in a hole, any form of idol by turning from it, and worshiping God alone?
Jacob and his household remember he had many sons, and they were twelve grown men. He had two wives and two concubines, many servants and he would have had grandchildren by this time too.
Rebekah’s nurse and later, Jacob’s beloved wife, Rebekah, died and both were buried.
At Bethel, God appeared to Jacob and changed his name to Israel.
Jacob had an event filled life. His journey in life taught him many lessons.
What lessons are you learning as you journey through life?
God’s word – Alive?
Jacob could say “I have been on frequent journeys…”
And the lessons he learned as he journeyed through life!
Can you say, as the Psalmist David said as you journey through life:
Psalm 25:4
“Make me know Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.”