Monday 14 January 2008
- Bible Book:
- Genesis
"God said to Jacob, 'Arise, go up to Bethel, and settle there. Make an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau'. So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, 'Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves, and change your clothes...'" (v.1-2)
Background
Returning to Bethel was really significant for Jacob as this wasthe place where in a dream he had encountered the living God.
At a time when it was dangerous to remain in Shechem, the Lordappeared to Jacob again, expressly telling him to go back to Bethelto live and build an altar there in order to worship the god whoappeared to him when he fled from his brother, Esau.
In verse 2 Jacob orders his household to, "Put away the foreigngods that are among you, and purify yourselves". It comes as asurprise perhaps to learn that other gods are worshipped by Jacob'shousehold. There was no doubt in Jacob's mind that commitment tothe god of Bethel involved allegiance to that god alone, for thatgod was much more than a territorial deity. This god was the god ofall the families of the earth (
So Jacob buries the foreign gods. Reluctance to dispense withidolatrous practices, associated with foreign gods, was a danger tobe reckoned with at every stage of Israel's history. This occasionwas both a purge and a renewal of faith in which the wholecommunity was involved.
Jacob's return to the place where God had first blessed him was nodisappointment, for God appeared to Jacob again, renaming him"Israel" and revealing himself with the words, "I am God Almighty".In the light of God's dealings with him, Jacob knew his faith wassecure in the living God, who had challenged, provided for andguided him.
To Ponder
Have you experienced times when you have sensedthe need for a community you have participated in to seekrestoration together? What happened and what was the effect?
Where are the places that God has spoken toyou?