Read Genesis 35:1-29
Even
this day there is something about walking with Him in a polluted world that
catches our hearts. Something we know better than get attached to, something we
know eventually we will have to let it go and bury it. Something that hinders
our worship of God becomes an idol. Jacob’s household was no different and he
knew it, so he instructed them to give them up.
1-7 Jacob sent back to Bethel
Sometimes
we are forced to face our past as Jacob was instructed to return to Bethel, to
the place where he ran from Esau. But this was different; this time he returned
not to face his fears, he had already done that in ch.33, but to build an altar
of praise for deliverance.
5 Holy fear
We’re
not told exactly what caused the peoples around them to fear them so greatly
that they were afraid to chase after them and persecute them, however it was
most likely the incident with Jacob’s sons and their sister, Dinah that caused
a wall of fear to encompass them.
9-13 name change and blessing
I.
Jacob obediently returned to Bethel (house of
God)
II.
His name changed to Israel (God has striven,
God has saved) symbolic of his wrestling with God
III.
Jacob refers to the singular person whereas
Israel refers to the nation as a whole
IV.
Blessings of Abraham reiterated again [many
times God will reiterate our blessings that we falter not in our faith
a) God
identifies Himself as the Almighty God
b) Declaration
of fruitfulness and growth in numbers
c) Not
only a little nation but many nations (12 tribes of Israel)
d) 12 Kings
from Israel’s loins
e) Abraham
and Isaac’s heir [according to the birthright]
f) The
land divinely bestowed upon Israel perpetually [that’s what the middle eastern
conflict is all about; everyone wants what God gave only to Israel]
As we gaze on the world today; Christians, by birthright
have inherited blessings far superior to the rest of the world [to be sure the
world is blessed, only God’s children are blessed far greater than those
without the birthright] everyone wants what we have, only without surrendering
to Christ. They want the blessings without the commitment, without the
relationship.
14 drink offering and oil poured out
A “drink offering” is a metaphor of Jesus blood being poured
out or shed for all humanity on Calvary. Jacob’s offering foreshadowed Christ’s
offering. It was a prophetic gesture looking forward to Christ’s passion.
15 Bethel: house of
God
House
of God might also be rendered as a place of worship as both
Abraham and Jacob worshipped at Bethel, house
of God. For that cause I perceive that wherever one chooses to worship
could be called Bethel.
16-20 Rachel dies in childbirth
She gives birth to Benjamin and is buried on the way to
Bethlehem.
21- 22 Reuben’s incest
Concubine: Bilhah was the handmaid of Rachel, who bore Dan
and Naphtali. Among the Israelites, men commonly acknowledged
their concubines, and such women enjoyed the same rights in the house as
legitimate wives. However, neither they themselves nor their children were
eligible to revieve the birthright.
23-26 12 sons of
Jacob/Israel:
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Bilhah
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27-29 Isaac’s passing
Isaac was 140 years old when he died and his sons Esau
and Jacob buried him in Hebron
Faith
Building Practice and Review
1. What
constitutes an idol?
2. Why
is it important to destroy our idols?
3. Take
note of all the places and cities mentioned.
4. Names,
especially in the Old Testament had special meanings. Take special care in
noting the meanings of such places and cities.
5. Record
any special messages that come to you in those meanings.
6. How
old was Isaac when he died?
7. What
is the meaning of a drink offering?
8. How
do we celebrate the drink offering today?
Knowing
God
A brief [not complete, add
to the list] synopsis of the persona of God:
·
Love
·
Gracious
·
Merciful
·
Righteous
·
Longsuffering
·
Gentle
·
Faithfull
·
Compassionate
·
Forgiving
·
Friend
The ultimate goal of Bible study is to
know God and not to merely memorize Bible trivia. As you study, identify the
attributes of God. For instance: make a note when you read of God extending His
forgiveness or compassion, and remember how He has done the same for you.
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