What actions did Jacob take to prepare for meeting God in Genesis 35:3? Setting the Scene Jacob is fresh from the trauma at Shechem when God speaks: “Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there. Make an altar there to the God who appeared to you …” (Genesis 35:1). Jacob immediately moves his family from a place of compromise to a place of worship. Jacob’s Concrete Preparations for Meeting God • Removed Idols “Jacob said to his household … ‘Get rid of the foreign gods among you’ ” (Genesis 35:2). • Pursued Purity “Purify yourselves” (v. 2). Physical washing pictured inward cleansing (cf. Exodus 19:10; Psalm 24:3-4). • Changed Garments “Change your garments” (v. 2), shedding attire tainted by pagan environs and adopting clothing suited to worship. • Relocated to God-Designated Ground “Let us arise and go up to Bethel” (v. 3). He literally moved his people to where God had first revealed Himself (Genesis 28:10-22). • Resolved to Worship by Sacrifice “… that I may build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress” (v. 3). The altar expressed gratitude, obedience, and renewed covenant faith. • Remembered God’s Faithfulness “He has been with me wherever I have gone” (v. 3). Rehearsing divine faithfulness stirred faith for the present moment. • Buried the Old Life “They gave Jacob all their foreign gods … Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem” (v. 4). A decisive, public farewell to idolatry. Why Each Step Matters • Removing idols: wholehearted devotion (Joshua 24:23; Matthew 6:24). • Pursuing purity: God meets a cleansed people (Hebrews 12:14; 1 John 1:9). • Changing garments: outward testimony of inward change (Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 19:8). • Relocation: obedience often involves tangible moves (Hebrews 11:8). • Altar-building: worship centers life on God (Romans 12:1). • Remembering faithfulness: strengthens trust (Psalm 77:11-12). • Burial of idols: no turning back (Galatians 2:20). Key Takeaways for Today • Preparing to meet God still begins with repentance and the removal of rivals to His throne. • Cleansing, both inward and outward, positions us for deeper fellowship. • Obedience is often geographic—sometimes God calls for a literal change of environment. • Worship that costs us something (time, comfort, resources) affirms God’s worth. • Recounting past deliverances fuels present obedience. |
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