Path of Obedience and Change (Genesis 35:1-15)

Jacob trusted God, was filled with grace, and was helped by God. However, Jacob did not change. By God’s grace, Jacob was able to reconcile with his brother Esau. Then he settled in the land of Shechem. Now Jacob seemed happy; he seemed to be filled with blessings. However, unexpectedly, unfortunate circumstance greeted Jacob. Jacob’s one and only daughter was raped. Happiness was torn into pieces. Jacob’s sons were unable to overcome their anger and committed a cruel revenge. They did not only kill Shechem and Hamor, but they also killed all the males of Shechemites and destroyed everything. The situation turned into a great affair. Genesis 4:30 says, “Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, ‘You have brought trouble on me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land. We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.’” At first Jacob seemed to show sadness in his daughter’s rape, but he was consumed by fear of losing his happiness. Jacob’s sons became angry after hearing their father, “Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?” In fact, Jacob brought the situation upon himself. Jacob’s sons saw their father living a life as a deceiver to not face a loss. Also, Jacob was supposed to go to Bethel, but just because he reconciled with his brother and things seem to be better, he settled in Shechem.
When Jacob was filled with fear and despair, God intervened. Whenever Jacob faced a crisis, God intervened. Genesis 35:1 says, “Then God said to Jacob, ‘Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau.’” In Genesis 28, Jacob ran away from his brother and wandered around the wilderness; he faced the darkest moment of his life. In that situation, he had a dream of a latter where angels ascended and descended on it; there Jacob met God. In the darkest moment of his life, Jacob met God for the first time. When God first met with Jacob, He said, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” When God said this to someone without anything, Jacob was shocked. Jacob was touched and at that moment, he got up, took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. Then Jacob promised three things. First, he promised that God will always be his God. Second, the stone that he set up will be the house of God. Third, he promised to give the tenth of what he received from God. This was the oath and promise of Bethel.
God was telling Jacob to rise up. Rise up from the darkness he was experiencing. To go to Bethel signified remembering Bethel-remember God and hold unto the God who blesses. God said to Jacob, “Build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau”-this means worship.
It is written in verse 2-3 of today’s passage: 2 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. 3 Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.”
As soon as he heard God’s words, Jacob’s eyes opened. His spiritual eyes opened and his dark future brightened. We are in despair because we forget God’s promise. There will be miracles when God’s promise is revived. As Jacob reflected on God’s promise, the power of the Holy Spirit began to work-similarly to the one who only attended church for a long time one day discover the cross and change. I hope you would experience these changes today. As soon as Jacob heard God’s words, he gathered his family and proclaimed to get rid of all the foreign gods, purify themselves, and change their clothes. Then Jacob proclaims to head towards Bethel. Then Jacob said that he will build an altar to God, who answered him in the day of his distress and who has been with him wherever he had gone. I hope you would make a similar proclamation.
It is written on verse 4: So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem.
Interestingly, Jacob’s family obeyed. The foreign gods probably was important to them. However, they gave it up. Rachel had stolen a household god from her father. She got rid of all idols in her home and returned to God. Jacob buried all idols under an oak. The consequence is written in verse 5: Then they set out, and the terror of God fell upon the towns all around them so that no one pursued them. When Jacob headed towards Bethel, God prevented other tribes from harming Jacob. The enemies Jacob feared were unable to attack him. God prevented them.
It is written in Genesis 35:6-7: 6 Jacob and all the people with him came to Luz (that is Bethel) in the land of Canaan. 7 There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother.
Jacob immediately obeyed God’s words. He gathered his family and made a decision. Nothing shows greater faith than obedience. For this reason the Bible says that obedience is better than burnt sacrifices. Those who change by faith begin to obey. Jacob led his family to Bethel, where he had met God. Jacob called the place El Bethel, meaning God of Bethel. We see the change in Jacob. Based on today’s message, I want to encourage you to discontinue living your life as you please. Here is an important truth. We cannot change the past. However, if we seek God’s help, our future changes. Jacob’s blessing was breaking away from his past. As soon as Jacob heard God’s voice, he escaped the past, fear, and anxiety. I pray that you would rise up from your struggles.
As Jacob gained faith, the changes that took place in him is surprising. It is written in verse 8: Now Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died and was buried under the oak below Bethel. So it was named Allon Bacuth.
Jacob’s mother Rebekah whom he loved, had a nurse. Her name was Deborah. The Bible introduced the story without any other explanation. It seems like an unnecessary story. However, we can learn something important about Jacob here. Rebekah already passed away. And Deborah was elderly. Because of her status, Jacob did not have to look after her. However, Jacob helped Deborah live her final years happily. Then after she died, he earnestly buried her under an oak and named the place Allon Bacuth, meaning ‘oak of weeping’. Jacob grieved over Deborah’s death. Through this event, we see that Jacob matured because even though it is easy to nurse one’s mother, it is not easy to take care of the nurse of one’s mother. Mature people love and take care of those who are in lower status. Those who are mature take care of those who are pitiful and worthless. In the other hand, those who are immature only take care of self. They only associate with popular people or people who will bring benefits to them. One with faith must show maturity. Jacob was growing into a mature person. He used to be selfish and trick others so he may gain benefits.
It is written in verses 9 and 10: 9 After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. 10 God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” So he named him Israel.
Jacob’s name signified a deceiver or one who makes others fall. Jacob could not prevent the difficulties in life carried by his name. Then in front of Jabbok, he was renamed Israel by God. He discontinued living by the name of the past and started to live by his new name. Our problem is continuing to live as we did in the past even after we believe Christ. True salvation is not the development of our faith but it is in change. Even if we are born again and believe in Christ, we do not change because we do not discontinue living by our old self. I pray that you would truly be born again. God gave Jacob a new name Israel. Israel means “he struggles with God”. Jacob was approved by God. God acknowledged Jacob’s existence and faith. The most unfortunate people are those who are not acknowledged. The husband not acknowledged by his wife and the wife not acknowledged by her husband are unfortunate people. I hope you acknowledge your spouse. Then will there be happiness in your family.
It is written in Genesis 35:10: God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” So he named him Israel.
Jacob did not rename himself. God renamed him. God must use the new name for it to be a blessing. Do you know the fact that God changed your name? We were a sinner turned into a righteous person. God called us, who used to be the Satan’s children, His children. God said that we will not inherit this world, but inherit heaven.
It is written in verses 11-13: 11And God said to him, “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will come from your body. 12 The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.” 13 Then God went up from him at the place where he had talked with him.
God who changed our named described himself in three ways. First, he said that he is God Almighty. A promise can be fulfilled by one who has the ability. God is able to keep the promises he made with us because he is God Almighty. Being almighty means that nothing is impossible for God, He does not lack, and His powers are eternal. Second, God blesses us to be fruitful and increase in number. God wants to bless us. Being fruitful and increasing in number is the original form of blessing. God promised abundance to all Christians. Third, even if the one to receive God’s promise is not fit for the blessing, God changes him or her to fulfill the promise. God promised Abraham a large nation. Isaac inherited that blessing. Then the blessing had to pass on to Jacob, but Jacob was not fit to be blessed. However, God did not give up on him. God changed Jacob so he would be fit for the blessings. God keeps His promise and He planned to bless us. If you are not fit for the blessings, God will change you to bless you.
Finally, Jacob kneeled down before God. It is written in verses 14 and 15: 14 Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. 15 Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel.
Jacob set up a stone pillar, poured out a drink offering on it, and worshipped God. The place was called Bethel. Where ever you get down on your knees before God, whether it be home, workplace, or church, look unto the God of Promise. Depend on Him.
Change starts from obedience. I hope your obedience towards God’s promise and your heart of worship and praise to God will rise like fire.