Genesis 35:1-15
Then God said to Jacob, “Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau.” So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.” So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem. Then they set out, and the terror of God fell on the towns all around them so that no one pursued them. Jacob and all the people with him came to Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan. There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother. Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died and was buried under the oak outside Bethel. So it was named Allon Bakuth. After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” So he named him Israel. And God said to him, “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants. The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.” Then God went up from him at the place where he had talked with him. Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel. Genesis 35:1-15 (NIV)
If I were to condense this passage into three words, it would be Obedience, Trust, and Blessings.
Jacob had been living in Shechem for years when God told him to go back to Bethel. This would not be an easy request. Jacob’s sons had killed all the men in town to revenge the rape of their sister, and Jacob was very troubled about how to keep his family safe now that they had this legacy. And how could they possibly travel safely knowing that others might also want revenge? But Jacob wanted to obey God so he tells his household to put away all the foreign gods, all the idols and symbols of idolatry. Jacob collects these items and buries them under a tree. He also tells them to purify themselves and change their clothes, a symbol of spiritual renewal. Jacob wants the family to start fresh and to trust God in their journey. God protects them, as people in the surrounding cities were terrified of what God might do, and no one pursued them. Jacob is obedient to God and is blessed for his devotion. It may have been dangerous for Jacob to travel at this time, but it would have been even more risky for Jacob to disobey God. God continues to bless Jacob, even changing his name to Israel. A new start and a new name. God promises to give the land to Jacob and his offspring, challenging him to “be fruitful and multiply.” Jacob sets up an altar in Bethel with a drink and oil offering as promised.
Jacob makes good on his promises. Do we make good on our promises to God? As we are in the beginning of a new year, it seems like a good time to renew our commitment to God. What can we learn from Jacob? First, we must not languish in past wrongs and mistakes. We all have regrets, and we must learn from them. We need to allow ourselves to be forgiven and move forward. Next, we need to be obedient to God. Is it coming to church more often, giving more of your finances or time? Is it taking better care of yourself so that you can take better care of your loved ones? Is it seeing a need in a friend or family member and filling it? Is it simply making your relationship with God more intentional and acknowledging things that undermine it?
God makes good on his promises. Jacob is blessed and his relationship with God is renewed. Obedience, Trust, Blessings. January is a good month to embrace renewal.
Questions for Reflection:
- What does being obedient to God mean to you?
- How do you propose to trust God in the coming year?
Prayer:
Thank you for always keeping us wrapped in your loving care. We place our trust in you and recommit to you as we welcome a new year and a new beginning. Amen.
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