Return to and Departure from Bethel

Genesis 35:1–29
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After the massacre in Shechem, Jacob returned to Bethel, in need of a decisive word from God. The Lord reminded Jacob of his forgotten vows. Along the way Jacob’s wives and children had picked up idols. Jacob decided to go to Bethel and build an altar to God who had been at his side and answered his prayers all these years when he was in trouble (v. 3). Therefore, Jacob said, “Put away the strange gods that are among you and change your garments.” He took the idols and buried them under a big oak tree (v. 4). While Jacob and his family were traveling, people wanted to follow and kill them, but God protected them (v. 5). God took them back to Bethel, where He had appeared to Jacob when he was running from Esau (vv. 6-7). After arriving back at Bethel Jacob built an altar as God had told him to do (v. 1). As before he promised Jacob many descendants (v. 11). He also added that kings would be included in his offspring. Through these acts, Jacob had shown is devotion to the Lord. People knew that he had been with God.  

Then, in a tragic move, Jacob departed from Bethel (v. 16) after God had told him to go there and dwell (v. 1). Soon after, bad things started happening. Rachel, who was pregnant with her second child, went into labor and died after giving birth to Benjamin, Jacob’s youngest son. When Rachael died Jacob’s heart died with her. She was buried beside the road to Bethlehem (vv. 19-20). Following the loss of Rachael, Jacob’s oldest son Reuben slept with Bilhah, one of Jacobs’s wives, and he found out about it (v. 22). Jacob had twelve sons (vv. 23-26). Reuben, the eldest, lost his inheritance and birthright by this sinful act. Lastly, we read about the death of Isaac, who was 180 years old (vv. 27-29). His burial found his son’s Jacob and Esau at peace as they bury their father.

Application

God will not allow his children to live in sin and pursue a course contrary to His will without consequences. I must be seeking God’s way and not my way in my life day by day.