Sunday, November 27, 2005
Genesis 35
“Encounters”
To this point, the bible has been taking a serious look at the life of Jacob, the man who will become Israel, “one who is governed by God”. He has not been the most upstanding character to date, but, because God is a merciful God, He has elected Jacob and is working in him.
Jacob is at this point a “Believer”, one who has a faith in God, however shallow or immature as it may be. Even so, this is only by the grace of God.
Jacob had an initial conversion type of encounter just after he left his home to go out in search of a wife (Genesis 28). God meets him, and God speaks to him in a dream. This is the first of several encounters with God for Jacob.
The next encounter was as he was leaving his uncle’s home. On the road (Genesis 32) Jacob actually wrestles with God. This is the first time Jacob hears the name Israel. God tells him that he will become Israel, “one who is governed by God”. It doesn’t happen then, but Jacob knows that it is coming.
Vs. 1-5 “God sends Jacob to Bethel”
God tells Jacob to leave the place he is in and to take his family to Bethel and worship Him. This is the place that God first appeared to Jacob, when he was running from Esau.
Jacob, as said earlier, has a faith in God, but he is an idolater as well. In order to worship God, he knows he is to rid himself of the false idols that he also gives himself to. Jacob calls God, “the God who answers me in my distress.”
So, they gave up all their idols, and journeyed towards Bethel, and God protected them during their travel.
Vs. 6-10 “Jacob is now Israel”
When Jacob arrives in Bethel, he worships and has another significant encounter with God. At this time, God appears to Jacob and blesses him. It is now that God fulfills the promise, and he is now to be called Israel. This is one of the most pivotal times in Israel’s life. He not only receives a new name, but God works in him a new character.
Vs. 11-15 “God Almighty”
God speaks directly to Israel and blesses him. This is the passing on of the promise to his grandfather Abraham, and his father Isaac, now it is his.
God reveals Himself to Israel by saying, “I am God Almighty”. What an amazing thing to have God give you a name for Himself that reveals a part of His character and nature. That only happens to a handful of people in the history. So, Jacob worships and gives offering. Truly an encounter with God that impacts and changes the nature of Israel’s faith in God.
Vs. 16-End “The Deaths of Rachel and Isaac”
During childbirth, Rachel dies just after hearing that she has delivered a boy, who will become known as Benjamin, the youngest of Israel. At some point later, Isaac, Israel’s father also dies, and Esau and Israel bury him together. This burial by both sons is a beautiful picture of the restoration of a family.
Summary
This chapter takes us on a journey through the transformation of Jacob, as he learns what it is to follow God. Many people experience a journey of encounters much the same as Israel did.
First Jacob is a “lukewarm” believer who even worships other idols, and only calls out to God in distress. That is like many, who only want God when they are in trouble, and keep many things (much like idols – whether they are sins, relationships, or habits) before God. Eventually, God calls on Jacob to surrender all to Him, and when he does, that is when the blessing comes.
Blessing only comes when you surrender all to God, until then you only experience God’s patience!
To this point, the bible has been taking a serious look at the life of Jacob, the man who will become Israel, “one who is governed by God”. He has not been the most upstanding character to date, but, because God is a merciful God, He has elected Jacob and is working in him.
Jacob is at this point a “Believer”, one who has a faith in God, however shallow or immature as it may be. Even so, this is only by the grace of God.
Jacob had an initial conversion type of encounter just after he left his home to go out in search of a wife (Genesis 28). God meets him, and God speaks to him in a dream. This is the first of several encounters with God for Jacob.
The next encounter was as he was leaving his uncle’s home. On the road (Genesis 32) Jacob actually wrestles with God. This is the first time Jacob hears the name Israel. God tells him that he will become Israel, “one who is governed by God”. It doesn’t happen then, but Jacob knows that it is coming.
Vs. 1-5 “God sends Jacob to Bethel”
God tells Jacob to leave the place he is in and to take his family to Bethel and worship Him. This is the place that God first appeared to Jacob, when he was running from Esau.
Jacob, as said earlier, has a faith in God, but he is an idolater as well. In order to worship God, he knows he is to rid himself of the false idols that he also gives himself to. Jacob calls God, “the God who answers me in my distress.”
So, they gave up all their idols, and journeyed towards Bethel, and God protected them during their travel.
Vs. 6-10 “Jacob is now Israel”
When Jacob arrives in Bethel, he worships and has another significant encounter with God. At this time, God appears to Jacob and blesses him. It is now that God fulfills the promise, and he is now to be called Israel. This is one of the most pivotal times in Israel’s life. He not only receives a new name, but God works in him a new character.
Vs. 11-15 “God Almighty”
God speaks directly to Israel and blesses him. This is the passing on of the promise to his grandfather Abraham, and his father Isaac, now it is his.
God reveals Himself to Israel by saying, “I am God Almighty”. What an amazing thing to have God give you a name for Himself that reveals a part of His character and nature. That only happens to a handful of people in the history. So, Jacob worships and gives offering. Truly an encounter with God that impacts and changes the nature of Israel’s faith in God.
Vs. 16-End “The Deaths of Rachel and Isaac”
During childbirth, Rachel dies just after hearing that she has delivered a boy, who will become known as Benjamin, the youngest of Israel. At some point later, Isaac, Israel’s father also dies, and Esau and Israel bury him together. This burial by both sons is a beautiful picture of the restoration of a family.
Summary
This chapter takes us on a journey through the transformation of Jacob, as he learns what it is to follow God. Many people experience a journey of encounters much the same as Israel did.
First Jacob is a “lukewarm” believer who even worships other idols, and only calls out to God in distress. That is like many, who only want God when they are in trouble, and keep many things (much like idols – whether they are sins, relationships, or habits) before God. Eventually, God calls on Jacob to surrender all to Him, and when he does, that is when the blessing comes.
Blessing only comes when you surrender all to God, until then you only experience God’s patience!
