Gen. 35:1-15, Dwell at Bethel (1)

First, I want to say something about yesterday’s post.  I re-read it, and felt my attitude was more critical of fellow-believers than necessary.  I also failed to note that I was preaching to myself, in terms of needing to learn to pray.  I am one who fails to make quality time for prayer.

Given what I just said, this is a good passage to consider.  God’s instructions to Jacob to arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there are very appropriate for me and us to consider.  It is full of devotional truth. 

The first time Jacob came to Bethel, he spent the night, had a dream of angels ascending and descending, and was promised a future by God (28:10-22).  But he continued on his journey; the plan was to dwell in Padan Aram, with his uncle.  It’s now twenty plus years later; Jacob has his family, and he has returned to the land of his fathers.  As was true the first time, so now again, God speaks to Jacob in Bethel.  For Jacob, Bethel (lit. house of God) is the place of communion with God.  And God wants him to dwell there. 

God also wanted him to build an altar in Bethel.  If you have read Genesis, you know that was common.  Wherever Abraham went, and Isaac, the places where they stayed for awhile required an altar.  An altar is essential for worship, because it is there you offer sacrifices for sin so you can, in fact, commune with God.  So we, to be in fellowship with God, must first visit the altar, the cross of Jesus Christ.  We must bend the knee at the cross, before our Lord and Savior, whose once-for-all sacrifice is eternally sufficient for us. 

Having said that, did you see what Jacob did in order to make this journey?  He is going to the place where God spoke to him, in the day of my distress.  That was the time when Esau was out to get him for stealing the birthright.  God promised to take care of Jacob and bring him back to Bethel someday.  For Jacob, the twenty years, and then the journey back home to face up to Esau, was a time when he slowly but eventually came to realize that God had kept His word. 

Given all that, for Jacob to go to Bethel, everyone had to get rid of all the gods they might have.  Remember, Rachel brought back the idols of her father (31:30-35).  It is possible other family members had picked up some idols, or some of Jacob’s servants.  But they all had to be removed in order to commune with the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac (31:42). 

We need to think this through.  It is quite possible, quite likely, that our/my lack of meaningful conversation with God is due to the presence of other gods, and specifically, “the god of me!”  One thing that will confuse and stifle communion with God is the presence of other gods.  Dwelling at Bethel begins with a strong confession as to the uniqueness of God.  Father, there is none like you!