October 26, 2008
Day Three of Week Seven
El Bethel
Today's Treasure: Genesis 35: 7
There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother.
Today's lesson forces us to take a look into our lives to determine how much house cleaning needs to be done. Beth refers to the prompting of a good house cleaning as an eruption. Have you ever had something unexpected and unwanted happen that caused you to know it was time to tighten up the reigns and purify yourself for God? After the rape of Dinah, the action her brothers decided to take caused just that in Jacob's family. He knew that they could not sit still because the people around them would eventually join forces against Jacob's family for their actions. Jacob decided to move everyone to Bethel, the location where he first encountered God.
Before Jacob followed God's instructions to "Go to Bethel and settle there and build an altar", he told his household that they could not go until they got rid of every foreign god, purified themselves and changed their clothes". Jacob realized that things needed to change within his household before they could move to Bethel to build an altar to God. He insisted that his household be purified before the altar was built.
Read Genesis 35: 1- 15
Why do you think God chose Bethel as the place for Jacob to return (Genesis 35)?
Bethel was the location of Jacob's dream and where Jacob first truly experienced God. He even termed it as the "gate of heaven"
What three things did Jacob command his household and entourage to do before they went to Bethel?
Change clothes, get rid of foreign gods and purify themselves
Review Genesis 31: 34 – 35
What was at least one way foreign gods crept into Jacob's home?
Rachel took them from her father's house before Jacob moved away from Laban
What was Jacob's stated purpose for going to Bethel according to Genesis 35: 3?
To build an altar to God
What repercussions could Simeon and Levi's overkill have invited?
The surrounding people(s) to join together to destroy Jacob's family
Read Genesis 35: 7 carefully. How did Jacob alter his previous name for this place on the return visit?
He changed the name from Bethel to El Bethel
Have you ever examined your household in an urgent pursuit of purity?
This is a very personal question…I will leave this one for you to ponder over
Describe the last time you allowed God the time to heal you and grow you spiritually
I don't think my growth began necessarily as a response to crisis. I just found myself become greatly intrigued by the Word of God several years ago. The more I read and studied His Word, the more I wanted to know about it. I truly fell in love with God as I learned about His character and His love for me. When crisis did come along, I feel I was better prepared to handle it because my heart was committed to being true to God through any crisis.
How do the vivid words of Psalm 32: 1- 7 lend biblical support to the idea that God will only cover what you have completely and repentantly uncovered to Him?
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.
When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD" – and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Let's take a look at Jacob's reason for changing the name of Bethel
Bethel means "house of God"
El Bethel means "God of the house of God"
This name change reflects the spiritual change in Jacob. He moved from one that was focused on the provision of God to one who became focused on God Himself. Now we see a Jacob with a fresh encounter with God that has three crucial elements:
The ratification of his new name, Israel
The reintroduction of God as El Shaddai (God Almighty)
The restatement of the covenant promises
May we all take a deep look inside our spiritual lives to see if we need to do some house cleaning!!!
Have a wonderful day
Love
Tiffany
Monday, October 27, 2008
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