Genesis Chapter 35

Vow Fulfilled at Bethel

35:1

The term “And..” seems to indicate this is a continuation of the situation Jacob and his Tribe are now in because of the revenge exacted on the inhabitants of Shechem. Although we are not told that God specifically deals with this revenge, He does tell Jacob he is to ‘rise up’ and go immediately to Bethel and live there. God reminds Jacob of his vow made more than 30+ years ago, to make an altar to God; the God who appeared to him when he fled from Esau on his way to Haran so long ago.

35:2

Jacob knows he has not kept his promises to God, and has also allowed his household and Tribe to compromise the godly values he was supposed to keep, and teach, all his family. Perhaps he realizes that IF he had kept his promise to God and returned to Bethel years ago, the terrible rape of Dinah would not have occurred, nor the revenge killing of the men of Schechem. He now does what he should have done when they left Haran in Syria; removed all the gold idols and pagan symbols from all the people with him. The purification and cleansing; as well as putting on clean garments, was a physical and spiritual way of becoming cleansed from their pagan ideas and actions. Often Christians want to keep some of their former ideas and habits that are not godly. We must take stock of all our beliefs and actions and cleanse ourselves of anything that is not good and holy. A bit of selfishness, a ‘lucky charm’, anything, or any kind of belief, that is contrary to the Truth of God’s Word, must be ‘cleansed’ and removed from our lives. Is there something you are holding on to that would be displeasing to God?

35:3

Jacob makes it clear that only after they have willingly given up all their false idols, gold earrings (symbolizing their attachment to paganism) and of course the ‘spoils of Shechem,’ could they leave and go on to Bethel. Before we can grow and progress in our spiritual walk with God, we must willingly cleanse ourselves from the false worldly beliefs of success and accumulating material wealth that we cling to. True success in life is knowing God’s Word and obeying it.

35:4

Notice that ALL the people willingly give up all the idols and things that represented their past pagan lives; even the gold earrings in their ears that marked them as pagans. Jacob buries them under a large tree near the area of Shechem. This burying of the idols and trappings of their ties to paganism is a major step in the people being willing to give up their ties to paganism.

35:5

Again we see the word “And..” as a continuation of the process of leaving Shechem. Remember, Jacob, and the entire tribe, knew their lives were in serious danger from reprisal from all the peoples around the area of Shechem for the vengeance killing of all the men of the city. Yet God causes a dreadful “Terror” and fear, to fall on all the people of all the cities of that land, so that they did not pursue them and try to kill all of them. Notice that God’s protection and provision came AFTER they willingly gave up their pagan idols and turned away from their former pagan lives. Do we ever ask for God’s protection and provision, yet refuse to turn away from some sinful practice or thoughts? Sometimes the reason God does not give us His protection and provision is because of our own refusal to obey Him, by obeying His Word.

35:6-7

Thanks to God’s merciful grace and protection, Jacob and his entire tribe make it safely to Bethel, also known as Luz, in the land of Canaan. Jacob immediately builds the altar he had promised he would build when he left the land of Canaan over 30 years ago. Jacob calls the place El-beth-el; because God appeared to him when he feared for his life and was fleeing from his brother, Esau. No doubt the entire tribe participated in this worship of God at Bethel.

35:8

“But..” Remember when we see this word it is a clue that some important piece of information is being given to us. We are told that Deborah, who had been Rebekah’s nurse when she left Haran (Padan-aram) to marry Isaac, now dies. She would have been at least 150 years old, or older, by this time. Yet, we know that she would have taken care of Rebekah right up to her death. Notice that we are not told of Rebekah’s death. The name of the burial place was Allon-Bachuth, which means the “Oak of Weeping”. Since Jacob was Rebekah’s favorite son, she must already have been dead, or Jacob would have certainly returned to see his beloved mother. Jacob no doubt had talked with Deborah about his mother regarding her final days. This omission of the mention of Rebekah’s actual death is very interesting. Remember that Rebekah was a Simile, or Type, of the ‘Bride of Christ.” This omission of mentioning Rebekah’s death, is a type or kind of HYPOCATASTASIS, a similarity, or reminder of the future “Bride of Christ” not dying, yet being ‘caught up’ to be with Jesus in Heaven. This future event we refer to as the “Rapture”.

35:9

God again appears to Jacob and blesses him, WHEN he came out of Padan-aram. We are probably thinking, “but he already came out of Padan-aram, a.k.a. Haran, 12 or more years ago!” That is True, Jacob and his Tribe had physically left Haran some time ago, but they had NOT left all their idols and pagan beliefs behind in Haran, they had taken many of them physically and mentally with them. Only after God had again told Jacob to ‘rise up’ and return to Bethel, did Jacob clearly tell his entire household and Tribe that they must ALL give up all their idols and pagan beliefs, and cleanse themselves, and put on new garments. The putting on of new garments would be a change of attitudes and belief systems, to choose to follow the One True God. This process of leaving behind the evil, selfishness of the world and turning to follow Jesus with all our heart, soul and mind, is a PROCESS. Very few people completely change their mind, heart and soul instantly to faithfully follow Jesus. This Process of becoming more and more like Jesus in our minds, hearts and souls, is called SANCTIFICATION. It is a lifelong process! How are you progressing in your SANCTIFICATION?

35:10

Now God again tells Jacob his name shall be changed to Israel. The word “ISRAEL” has a number of meanings; which have been interpreted differently over the years. It can mean “He who strives with God” as Jacob had done when he first returned to Canaan. It also means “May God show his strength”, it means “contend”, “persevere”, “rule”, “be upright”, “happy, blessed” and lastly it refers to the “People of God”. The nation or people of Israel is mentioned in secular records in Egypt, Canaan, Syria and other countries in the regions of the Mideast. Today, we know ISRAEL as a country; yet we also know the ISRAELITES were to be the People of God. We know from Exodus on that they were to be the People of the One True God; and they were to bring the knowledge of Him to all unbelievers. That calling, of bringing the knowledge of the One True God and His Salvation, is now our calling and privilege as Believers. God clearly tells Jacob that his name will no longer be Jacob, but now he shall be called and identified as Israel. God immediately addresses him as Israel.

35:11-13

God continues to speak His Word of Truth and Prophecy over Jacob, now Israel, by asserting clearly that He is God Almighty and Jacob (Israel) is to be fruitful and multiply; both nations and Kings will come from out of him. This is a restating and reconfirmation of the earlier promises and prophecies, with the addition of the Kings, meaning a Royal Line, now also coming from Jacob/Israel. Notice that the promises are reconfirmed regarding the land which God gave to Abraham, and his descendants; is now to be given to Israel and his descendants. The Bible tells us that God went ‘up from him’ from where He had been talking with him. This would indicate that God appeared as a Personage, or Theophany of Jesus, as He had appeared before to Jacob, now Israel.

35:14-15

It is interesting that the Bible still refers to Jacob by his old name, rather than his new name of Israel. When God gives us His Holy Spirit in Salvation, we usually still operate with our old nature, even though we are now a Child of God. It takes time, prayer, Bible Study, Perseverance, Commitment and OBEDIENCE to God’s Word, to change our old evil nature; and our attitudes and character, slowly into the person God meant us to be. We will see that Jacob is no different then we are; that is shown by the name Jacob and Israel both being used to identify him. When he is called Israel, we probably can assume he is being obedient to God. Yet we see that he sets up another pillar to honor God in the place He had spoken to him. He also pours a drink offering and oil on the stone. This is similar to what he had done when God first spoke to him at Bethel. Israel reaffirms the name of the place as Bethel.

35:16-18

The Tribe is traveling from Bethel to Ephrath, which is latter named Bethlehem, when Rachel goes into hard labor. Her son is born, but the labor is so difficult and hard that Rachael is dying. With her last dying breath she names her son Ben-oni, which means “the son of my sorrow”. Yet Jacob names him Benjamin, which means “the son of the right hand”. Benjamin is the one and only son actually born in the promised land of Canaan; all the others were born in Haran.

35:19-21

Rachel dies and is buried in the way to Ephrath. Jacob sets a pillar upon her grave to honor his beloved wife, Rachel. Then Israel travels on and sets up his camp near Bethlehem. Notice the change in identification of Jacob/Israel.

35:22

‘And it came to pass’ indicates that some time has passed. Reuben tries to take control, as the oldest son, before it is time. He uses a very pagan practice of taking his father’s concubine and laying with her. This violates moral standards as well as insults his father and dishonors God. Because of this foolish act, he will be removed as the rightful heir as the first born son. We are reminded that Israel now has twelve sons.

25:23-26

The genealogy of Israel’s sons is given by listing the sons of each mother and their respective relationship to Jacob (Israel). Notice that they are listed in their birth order from their mother. Thus, although Benjamin is the youngest, he is listed before the sons of the handmaids.

35:27-29

Jacob comes home to Isaac to the city of Arbah in Hebron. Isaac is 175 years old and dies and is ‘gathered to his people’ meaning he dies in faith. Both Esau and Jacob bury their father together. This would indicate they are now both living in the same area and still are reconciled.

Notice that Obedience delayed is dis-obedience; this usually results in failure, suffering and sorrow of some kind. To increase in SANCTIFICATION means we MUST strive for Obedience in all we do. Otherwise we are setting ourselves up for failure, pain and sorrow. Remember, every choice counts.