Lessons
Genesis 35:2-4
Then Jacob said to his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean…


1. Grace keeps hearts close in obedience unto God's call.

2. It is the duty of conscience in all governors of families and others to enjoin all with them to obey God's call. It is no violence.

3. It is rulers' duty in order to reconcile God, so much as they may, to bring souls to repentance.

4. The first part of repentance is to depart from evil.

5. Governors are bound to turn all under them from outward evils which they may prevent.

6. Images and relics of idolatry may not be suffered in the families of Jacob's children.

7. Repentance requireth not only negative but positive cleanness.

8. Typical repentance in outward washings was in the Church before the law was written.

9. Real endowment with righteousness unto God's likeness was intended by it (ver. 2).

10. It is Jacob's work to rouse his family to move towards God (so good rulers will do) when he himself is roused by Him.

11. Not only preparation but motion must be in penitents to God's house.

12. Repentance is then complete when men are brought fully home to God.

13. God is reached unto when His true worship is entertained by men.

14. God may and doth use some eminent minister to set up His worship, that others might know

15. God is known to Jacob and his seed to be a God answering prayer.

16. All. good providences to Jacob are mercies truly to his family.

17. Mercies of God to our fathers while we enjoy them bind us to own and worship the same God (ver. 3).

(G. Hughes, B. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:

WEB: Then Jacob said to his household, and to all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, change your garments.




Jacob's Preparation for Acceptable Worship
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