Bible in 365 Days – Day 12

Focus Chapters:

• Genesis 32-34
• Genesis 35:1-27

Standout Verse(s):

THE ACTION

Genesis 35:1 NLT

Then God said to Jacob, “Get ready and move to Bethel and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother, Esau.”

THE REACTION

Genesis 35:2-7 NLT

So Jacob told everyone in his household, “Get rid of all your pagan idols, purify yourselves, and put on clean clothing. We are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”

So they gave Jacob all their pagan idols and earrings, and he buried them under the great tree near Shechem. 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.

Eventually, Jacob and his household arrived at Luz (also called Bethel) in Canaan. Jacob built an altar there and named the place El-bethel (which means “God of Bethel”), because God had appeared to him there when he was fleeing from his brother, Esau.

Observation (s):

1. When God told Jacob (now Israel) to pack up his belongings and family and move to a new place, Jacob did not hesitate. God directed and Jacob followed His instructions precisely. Without objections He led his family to an unknown place and journey because God instructed him to.
   
   

   Then God said to Jacob, “Get ready and move to Bethel and settle there.“

   AND

   “We are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress.”

   
   
2. Jacob and his family prepared before heading to Bethel, House of God to build an altar to God. They got rid of any pagan gods they worshipped, purified themselves (I would like to imagine physically and spiritually) and put on clean clothes. They made themselves the offering.
   
   

   So Jacob told everyone in his household, “Get rid of all your pagan idols, purify yourselves, and put on clean clothing. We are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress.

   
   
3. As Jacob’s family set out on their God-given mission, the Lord protected them from harm. He ensured that they arrived at their destination safely.
   
   

   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. Eventually, Jacob and his household arrived at Luz (also called Bethel) in Canaan.

Application:

I envy Jacob. He makes it look so easy! He heard God’s voice so clearly and followed God’s directions to the letter. I am still learning to not only hear God’s voice clearly but also follow the directions that He has given without hesitation.

It is hard to follow directions without questions when the directions lead you into the unknown that we fear and cannot predict. Jacob’s unwavering faith in God is a lesson to us all. After all, like Jacob, haven’t we already proven God?  Hasn’t He “been with [us] wherever [we] have gone?” Doesn’t He always protect us and ensure we arrive at our destinations safely?

Today was also a reminder of how we should prepare ourselves when going to the House of God. It is not just about the type of sacrifice that we offer but also how we present it and ourselves. We cannot appear before God in any wayward manner or form. We have to purify ourselves both physically and spiritually. Only them will we be able to build an altar and make a sacrifice that God deems acceptable.