2024-10-27
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Genesis 35:1-15
1. Following Him requires preparation
Vss 2-4 And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. 3 Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone.” 4 So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem.
- Three-part process of following Him
- “put away”
- “purify”
- “change your garments”
- It is difficult to follow God if you are constantly distracted by the “things” along the way
2. God’s protection is unmatched
Vs 5 And they journeyed, and the terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.
- Though there were many around them who could have attacked, God protected them
- They were “marked” by the protection of God
Warren Wiersbe stated “When God’s people are doing God’s will in God’s way, they can depend on God’s provision and protection. When we fear God, we need fear no one else.”[1]
3. Recognize His place in your life
Vss 6-7 So 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 he built an altar there and called the place El Bethel, because there God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother.
- Bethel means “house of God”
- Jacob built an altar and called “El Bethel” (God of the house of God) recognizing that a place is not nearly as important as the God of the place
4. Know Who He is
Vss 9-11 Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him. 10 And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.” So He called his name Israel. 11 Also God said to him: “I am God Almighty.
- While this might seem a bit obvious, it is vital we always remember who God is before we ever try to figure out who we are
5. Always celebrate His presence
Vss 13-15 Then God went up from him in the place where He talked with him. 14 So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He talked with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it. 15 And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel.
- This is the first place in Scripture where a drink offering is mentioned
- Jacob worshipped in this place for he had met with God and wanted to celebrate His presence
Takeaways:
- It is difficult today to separate ourselves from the temptations of the world but be deliberate in doing so
- You can’t reflect Christ in this world by accident, it takes work
- Don’t fear the attacks or the criticism of the world, as a follower of Christ you are marked and can’t be harmed
- You may be attacked for your beliefs but God will always protect you
- Focus more on His presence than yours
- Simply showing up at church is not enough, seek Him
- Never stop celebrating the goodness of God
- Every time you find yourself discouraged, remember what He’s done in the past to help you recognize what He’s doing now
[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Authentic, “Be” Commentary Series (Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub., 1997), 69.