What lessons from Genesis 35:7 can we apply to our worship of God? Setting the Scene “There Jacob built an altar, and he called that place El-bethel, because God had revealed Himself to him there when he was fleeing from his brother.” (Genesis 35:7) Worship Begins with Obedience • Jacob returned to Bethel because God told him to (Genesis 35:1). • Genuine worship starts by doing what the Lord has already said (1 Samuel 15:22; John 14:15). • Before we sing a note or bow a knee, we first yield our will. Worship Remembers God’s Faithfulness • Jacob deliberately revisits the spot where God met him in crisis (Genesis 28:10-22). • Remembering past deliverances fuels present praise (Psalm 77:11-12). • Keep a record—journal entries, dates in margins, family stories—so worship is rich with gratitude. Worship Names God According to His Acts • “El-bethel” means “God of the house of God.” Jacob highlights Who, not where. • Scripture often ties God’s names to His deeds (Exodus 15:26; Judges 6:24). • In worship, call God by the attributes you have experienced—Provider, Shepherd, Redeemer. Worship Builds Memorials for Future Faith • The altar stands as a physical reminder for Jacob’s household and later generations (Joshua 4:6-7). • Modern memorials might be a family Bible inscription, a framed verse, a regular testimony time. • They say to coming generations, “God really met us here.” (Psalm 78:4-7) Worship Is Personal Yet Communal • Jacob meets God personally, then gathers his entire household to the altar (Genesis 35:2, 6). • Private encounters overflow into corporate praise (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Families that worship together reinforce truth across the dinner table, not just in the sanctuary. Worship Springs From Revelation, Not Invention • Jacob responds because “God had revealed Himself to him.” • We worship as God has made Himself known in Scripture and in Christ (John 4:23-24; Hebrews 1:1-3). • Creativity in worship is welcome, but it must arise from the revealed character and works of God. Worship Looks Forward as Well as Backward • Bethel reminded Jacob of a promise still unfolding—a nation, a land, a blessing. • Every act of worship previews future fulfillment: Christ’s return, resurrection life, the new creation (Revelation 21:3). • Hope and gratitude mingle; we praise for what He has done and for what He will surely do. Putting It Into Practice 1. Ask, “Where has God already spoken to me, and have I obeyed?” 2. Keep tangible reminders of answered prayer where your family can see them. 3. During worship, intentionally verbalize God’s specific attributes shown in your life this week. 4. Invite your household or small group to share their own “Bethel moments,” turning memories into shared praise. |
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