“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” Genesis 35:3, NKJV.
Jacob made a vow to God in Bethel that He would serve Him. God had told Jacob to go back to Bethel as well. He didn’t tell him to go to another town or stop in another city. Jacob was headed to Bethel, but he decided to stop on the way there in Shehem. When he dwelled there, several things happened to his family, such as his daughter being raped, his sons take several lives and his household becamed defiled. God spoke to him again about leaving that city. Then, Jacob finally said to his family we need to arise and get back to Bethel.
Some things may very well be happening in your life because you’ve come short in obeying God. Something took you off course. Somehow you have found yourself in a rough place and you are wondering why you’re going through it. You were on the way, focused and ready to do what God said, but something distracted you. Before you realized it, you have become complacent, stagnant or slid into turning away from God. It could even be costing you dearly.
It’s time to go up to Bethel. It means “house of God” and represents a right relationship with Him and being where He wants you to be. You have to recognize how you have disobeyed Him (or even left Him), refocus and get back on the road of obedience. Let go of what’s not of Him and arise. Revisit what is God’s will for you, go back to what He told you to do and obey.
Prayer: Father help me. All this craziness is happening in my life and I see why. I need to get back to my Bethel. I haven’t completely obeyed You. Show me where I have stopped short of doing what You said and help me get back into the center of Your will. You did it for Jacob and I thank You for doing it for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Study: Genesis 28:20-22; 31:3; 35:1-5
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