Bethel – Judy in the Sky

Read Genesis 35 – Back to Bethel.

The Lord first called Jacob back to Bethel in Genesis 31:13, but on the way, Jacob set up camp near Shechem with disastrous results. Casual obedience is a sure pathway to chaos. We saw this played out in the last chapter with Dinah, Simeon, Levi, and the rest of Jacob’s sons. Beloved, what is God calling you to? If you are not sure, go to the last place he led you to and do what he told you then… Ephesians 5 in the New Testament has very clear instructions.

Jacob tells his family to prepare for the journey by getting rid of all pagan idols, purifying themselves and putting on clean clothing.

Beloved, do these things as well for a fresh start. Is there anything in your house/life you would not want to share with Jesus?

Jacob’s household gave him all the foul things and he buried them under a great tree near Shechem. Scripture says: “As they set out, a terror from God spread over the people in all the towns of that area, so no one attacked Jacob’s family.” :5 Now that Jacob was living in obedience, the LORD guarded his path. And with his obedience, God reminded Jacob that his new name was Israel (it was first given to him when he wrestled with God in 32:28), and that all the blessings of his forefathers were now his. Jacob marked the place where God had spoken to him.

The timeline is unclear, but Jacob leaves Bethel for Ephrath (which is Bethlehem). Rachel gives birth to her second son along the way, and with her last breath, names him Ben-oni… son of my sorrow. Jacob calls him Benjamin… son of my right hand.

Jacob’s first born son, Reuben, shows his father utmost disrespect by sleeping with his concubine, Bilhah. These are the disqualifiers in Jacobs children: Reuben had sex with Bilhah, Simeon and Levi let the massacre at Shechem… the future is now up to Judah, and from him will come our messiah, Jesus Christ.

Our chapter ends with the death of Isaac. Esau and Jacob buried him, coming together in unity one last time.

Beloved, may your take-away be, “A man resisting God will see the same effect in his family. A man who gets right with God will see the effect in his family also.” (from David Guzik commentary on Genesis 35).

Read Genesis 28 – Where to start? There is so much at play in our chapter.

We begin where Rebekah’s complaint in 27:46 began, and Isaac summoned Jacob, instructing him to not marry a Canaanite woman, but to go to Uncle Laban’s house and marry one of his daughters. Isaac gave Jacob one more blessing and sent him away.

Esau knew his parents did not like the local women so he made an outward gesture to please them by traveling to Uncle Ishmael’s house and marrying his daughter, Mahalath. She is his 3rd wife, Judith and Basemath are his Hittite wives who made life miserable for Isaac and Rebekah (26;34-35).

Beloved, this is partial obedience. This is what it looks like to God when a person decides for themselves what would please Him, without actually submitting to the LORD in prayer nor having any true repentance. This is like the spouse who is faithful most of the time, or the addict who is sometimes sober.

Jacob set up camp for the night, resting his head on a stone, and has a vivid dream. In it, the LORD confirms the blessing of Abraham and promises: “What’s more, I am with you , and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.” :15 WOW! Jacob woke up, memorialized the stone, pouring olive oil over it, and renamed the place Bethel (house of God).

Beloved, pour over Jacob’s dream in verses :12-15. Ask God to grow your faith; stand before Him in your hard places and meditate on what He has to say to you.🙇‍♀️🙏🪜🙌🙇