Purify Yourself and God Takes Care of the Rest


Genesis 35:5–7 (ESV) And as they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities that were around them, so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. 6 And Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him, 7 and there he built an altar and called the place El-bethel, because there God had revealed himself to him when he fled from his brother.

 I love this verse in Genesis 35. Jacob is leaving the disgrace of Shechem and no longer trusting in his business acumen. He's going back to the place where God originally met with him. He's going where God wanted him to go in the first place while still living with Laban. He's going back to the wonderful house of God. 

 And God is surrounding him with protection! Don't you love it? "a terror from God fell upon the cities... so they did not pursue" him. God had his back.

 Why?

 Look at what he does just before this moment:

Genesis 35:2–4 (ESV) So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments. 3 Then let us arise and go up to Bethel, so that I may make there an altar to the God who answers me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” 4 So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods that they had, and the rings that were in their ears. Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree that was near Shechem.

He cleans house. 

 There's a principle here that I believe flows through the Bible. When God's people get rid of the idolatry and sin in their lives, when they really come clean and do business against the compromises in their hearts, God's power starts to surround them in amazing ways. Is this not why the men drew back when they caught up to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane? He was surrounded by the dread of God. He did not need to purify Himself as He was sinless, but He was overwhelming to those who should have overwhelmed Him. 

 I love Jacob's fatherly role here. Fathers, pay attention. Take care of business in your home. Don't let rubbish in through your TV or internet. Don't let your kids watch you enjoying the filth of this world. Get rid of it. It's not something you want your children partaking in. You don't have to be mean about it, but if you lead with compassion and guard their spirits with grace, I believe God will bless you for it and take care of your house.

The promise remains for you Christian. If you draw near to God, He will draw near to you... and your enemies will not harm you. For if God is for you... who can be against you?

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