In Genesis 35, Jacob goes back to the place where God first revealed himself to Jacob. If you remember in that story, Jacob was out literally in the middle of nowhere, and only had a rock to sleep on. It was there, in the middle of nowhere, on the run from his angry brother, that Jacob had an encounter with God that changed his life. God told Jacob that he would be the one to carry on his grandfather's blessing and that God would be with Jacob all the days of his life. So Jacob begins his journey with God there, as cheater on the run, in the middle of nowhere. Now Jacob has returned. I wonder what went through Jacob's head as he was walking to that benchmark place in his life. What were the feelings he was having? Did all the smells and sounds of that night come rushing back to greet him as he moved toward the rock that became an altar? What was he telling his kids and his wives as they walked to the place that Jacob named Bethel? It was there in that place after all that God had taken this trickster Jacob and started him out on a journey that ended up changing Jacob from a cheater to one who struggles and is ruled by God.
As I reflect on this story, I think back to some of the benchmarks in my life. One major one for me is my trip to Africa. When I go there in my mind, I think of the smells, the people I visited and saw the Holy Spirit working through, and the moment I knew I loved my future wife (although we did not know it on the trip yet). What are some of the places in your life where God has spoken to you? Go back there sometimes to remember what God has done in your life.
About Me
- Robert and Ray Miller
- Robert is the pastor of First Baptist Texas City, Tx. And Ray is the pastor of First Baptist Mertens, Tx. Robert brings over 30 years of biblical study as a pastor. Ray brings a younger perspective to the Bible and also a command of the original languages. Our greatest passion is to see lives changed through the good news of Jesus Christ.
2 comments:
In the first part of this chapter we see that Jacob told his family to cast off there other gods and purify your self so we can go worship El Shaddi. So many times we come to the Lord with a load of baggage and wonder why we are not felling the present of the Holy Spirit as it says in John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. So we need to get rid of the baggage by asking the Father to forgive our sins before we start praying. their are some that will say I don’t sin all the time but we forget the little ones that we do every day without thinking
This chapter follows the sad time of the slaughter of the men of Shechem. I have found in my life that some of the sweetest times with Christ have followed a time of upset and trouble.
I loved verse 11 where God reminded Jacob that he was God Almighty and reminds Jacob of His promise to him. God IS mighty and His love and promises to us are ever true if we will but believe and trust Him.
"Father, I am reminded again of what a Mighty God you are and how important it is for me to revisit the place and time where I was transformed."
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