“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:” (Genesis 35:2)
Jacob had some changes to make. He had failed to pay attention to all that his wives, sons, and servants had been up to. He needed a reformation of his family. God was his purpose.
Jacob told them all to put away their gods. Idols that were taking hold in their minds to steal the future. These gods were just objects, but people often worship an object since it is more important than God.
Jacob told them to be clean. Not just bodily clean, but spiritually clean. If we strive to be clean then we will not follow the example of Dinah.
Jacob told them to change their garments. How we are seen both outwardly and spiritually is the example of worshiping God.
Jacob took all of their idols and earrings and buried them at Shechem. The place where Simeon and Levi had deceived the people at Shechem and killed all of the men. It was time for a new beginning.
Jacob and his family journeys on. Canaan is a place full of people, they easily outnumber Jacob and his family. However, the people of Canaan are having problems with each other and this keeps them from chasing after Jacob.
God didn’t have to kill those who might hurt Jacob, God only had to make them fear the things around them.
God appeared to Jacob and once again told him, “…Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.” (Gen 35:10)
An interesting name to say the least. In Hebrew the beginning of that name is “Ysr” in Hebrew which means Struggles. When combined with “a” and “El” it means Struggles with God. Jacob has been struggling with God since he was born. Israel has been struggling with God ever since.
God once again tells Jacob of the covenant that he promised Abraham. Jacob will continue to mourn. His mother’s nurse, Deborah dies at Bethel and is buried under an oak tree. They continued on and Jacob’s beloved wife Rachel dies while giving birth to the 12th son of Israel.
Jacob finally arrives in the city of Hebron to see his father Isaac. Then Isaac at the age of 180 dies and is buried by Jacob and Esau.
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