By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Assurance
Genesis 35:1–15
Following his escape from Laban, Jacob willfully spent a decade doing much as he pleased. He first dwelt outside the promised land and when he crossed over into Canaan he settled in prosperous Shechem instead of traveling the 20 miles further to Bethel. Jacob’s half-hearted obedience (which is actually disobedience) resulted in tragedy. The desolation of Dinah, the desecration of Israel’s most holy sign (circumcision), the massacre of the Shechemites and the degradation of his own children rendered Jacob a stench in the land and ready to hear God’s voice.
Purify Yourself (1–4)
God commanded Jacob to arise, go up to Bethel, live there and build an altar. This was a call to a religious pilgrimage, which would culminate in the building of an altar at Bethel, an established site of Canaanite worship. God wanted Jacob to declare His name and drive a stake into the heartland of Canaanite worship.
Jacob charged his family with three duties. First they must put away everything that hinted of idolatry. The people gave Jacob all of their foreign gods and earrings associated with pagan worship. He buried them under a terebinth tree near Shechem.
Second they must clean themselves. Later Israelite tradition emphasized the importance of purification rituals symbolizing the cleansing of all sin from their lives and preparing them for their encounter with God. Third they must change clothes, signifying a departure from their old culture and a readiness for a new way of life.
Obey God’s Directives (5–8)
After Simeon and Levi had massacred the Shechemites and plundered their property (34:25–29) Jacob angrily scolded his sons for their actions, not because they were immoral but for fear that their deeds would bring the surrounding Canaanites upon them to annihilate them. Instead “a terror from God” fell upon the Canaanites. God protected Jacob and his family.
At Bethel he obediently built an altar and called the place El-bethel (“the God of Bethel”). Thirty years after God had appeared to him there Jacob worshipped at the newly built altar, offering joyful sacrifices to God and reconfirming his allegiance to God.
Now with Jacob in Bethel, God began to effect a transition to a new generation with the death of Deborah.
Remember God’s Promises (9–13)
The obedience and worship of Jacob and his people was followed by a theophany and a blessing direct from the mouth of God. The event was divinely orchestrated to parallel what had happened to his grandfather Abraham when he received the covenant of circumcision. First, just as Abram’s name (“exalted father”) had been changed to Abraham (“father of a multitude”), Jacob’s name (”deceiver”) was now changed to Israel (“he strives with God”). Second, God Almighty had blessed Abram and He now blessed Jacob. This divine name, El Shaddai, emphasizes God’s power and sovereignty. Third, God Almighty blessed Jacob in terms similar to those used to bless Abraham in respect to fruitfulness, a nation, kings and land.
Treasure God’s Promises (14–15)
Jacob responded to God’s promises by setting up a pillar and offering the Lord a drink offering. The offering symbolized his life being poured out in dedication to God. Jacob treasured God’s promises. He learned that God was not only a promise maker, He was also a promise keeper.
Share with others: