Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides." Psalm 119:89-90
Text: Genesis 35:1-29
GOD NORMALLY LEAVES MAN TO LOOK AFTER HIS OWN AFFAIRS
God normally does NOT intervene in the affairs of man. He has given man definite guidelines as to how he may order his life! If man chooses wisely, then he will live well. If he chooses wrongly, then he must also be prepared to bear the consequences of his actions. This is an important truth that we must bear in mind. We must not expect God to intervene and perform supernatural acts (miracles) every day. If miracles become common occurrences, we would not be able to speak of a “normal life”.
WHEN GOD INTERVENES
Does God intervene at all then? Yes, He does. But often only when it is absolutely critical for Him to step in. Special intervention was necessary after the slaughter and the sacking of Shechem by the sons of Jacob.
“Then God said to Jacob, ‘Arise, go up to Bethel
and dwell there; and make an altar there to God,
who appeared to you when you fled from the face
of Esau your brother.'”
GENESIS 35:11. Too numbed to respond appropriately
Jacob knew that he was in deep trouble. The heinous acts of his sons endangered their very existence! He knew that he could not stay where he was, but where could he go if he were to leave Shechem?
2. Needed Clear Directions
God had to tell Jacob exactly what to do. But He was doing much more than give Jacob plain directions.
a) “Go up to Bethel and dwell there”
What was God saying to Jacob? He was urging him to return to his roots! It was at Bethel that he had discovered the Lord. His spiritual being had awakened then. Perhaps a return to Bethel might indeed do wonders for his soul!
Jacob certainly couldn’t stay there. To stay there was to invite certain trouble there. The new enemies that had been created would now plot and plan to take revenge. Bethel would be far enough to deter anyone from mounting up a reprisal raid.
b)”Make an Altar there to God who appeared to you…”
An altar? Yes, surely that was the most needful thing to do! How long had it been since Jacob raised an altar to worship the Lord? God wanted Jacob to make a comeback with reference to his soul!
c) “When you fled from the face of Esau your brother…”
Once again, Jacob had to flee for his life! Would God spare him again?