How does Jacob's action in Genesis 35:7 reflect obedience to God's commands? The Divine Instruction Restated • Genesis 35:1 sets the stage: “Then God said to Jacob, ‘Arise! Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.’” • God’s command is clear—relocate, remain, and re-establish worship at Bethel, the very place where Jacob first encountered the LORD (Genesis 28:12-22). • Jacob’s response in verse 7 is the direct fulfillment of that instruction. Purifying the Household for Worship • Before traveling, Jacob orders his family to “Get rid of the foreign gods… purify yourselves and change your garments” (Genesis 35:2). • This act mirrors the first and second commandments later given at Sinai (Exodus 20:3-4). • Obedience begins with removing idols and approaching God in holiness—an essential pattern repeated throughout Scripture (Joshua 24:14; 2 Corinthians 6:17). Building the Altar: Tangible Obedience Genesis 35:7: “There he built an altar, and he called the place El-bethel, because it was there that God had revealed Himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother.” Jacob’s action reflects obedience in several ways: • Immediate response—He builds the altar as soon as he arrives, not delaying (compare Genesis 12:7-8, Abraham’s example). • Exact location—He worships at Bethel, precisely where God directed, honoring the literal instruction. • Memorial of revelation—Naming the site “El-Bethel” (“God of the House of God”) publicly acknowledges God’s self-disclosure and faithfulness (Psalm 105:1). • Vow fulfillment—Jacob had promised at his earlier encounter: “This stone… will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give You a tenth” (Genesis 28:20-22). The altar completes that vow, showing integrity before God (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5). Results of Faithful Obedience • Divine protection: “The terror of God fell upon the towns all around them” (Genesis 35:5), illustrating Psalm 34:7 in action. • Renewed covenant communion: God appears again (Genesis 35:9-12), reiterating promises first given to Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3). • Legacy for future generations: Bethel becomes a recognized place of worship and remembrance, encouraging Israel to seek the LORD where He has revealed Himself (Hosea 12:4-6). Takeaway Jacob’s construction of the altar at Bethel is wholehearted obedience—prompt, precise, and worship-centered. By aligning his actions with God’s explicit command, removing idols, and honoring past vows, Jacob models the kind of responsive faith God still desires from His people today (John 14:15; James 1:22). |
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