Bible Study Online Article

In the last article we learned that Jacob's sons had put all the male Shechemites to the sword and looted the city for all it had to offer, including the women and the children. After this had happened, Jacob became fearful of a possible retaliation from the neighboring civilizations, which were the Canaanites and the Perizzites.

Now it's not clear if Jacob had resigned himself to prayer after the fatal of event that had happened with the Shechemites.

For we now find that Jacob was afraid and deeply concerned about the safety of his household.

Now if we were to go by his past tendencies, it would be very possible that he did resign himself over to prayer.

Be that as it may, we also find that God had visited Jacob and gave him a message: "Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau."

Now pay close attention to what God just did? For He reminded Jacob of the vow that he had made to Him back when he was running away from his brother Esau. Here's what Jacob had said at that time:

"If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my fathers house, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth." -- (Genesis 28:20-22)

Now it would seem that Jacob had forgotten the vow that he had made to the Almighty God at that time. Because of this, I often wonder if God had allowed Jacob's daughter Dinah to be defiled by Shechem, simply because Jacob had settled in the wrong place? Now I know that the holier-than-thous' would scoff at that last statement, but could you honestly say, that you could rule the idea out completely?

Consider the fact that during that same night God had confirmed his divine covenant with Jacob. And He'd promised to do it all on the land that Jacob was resting on at the time:

"I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." -- (Genesis 28:13-15)

This should be a reminder to us all that at times, God will allow "distress seasons" to come upon us in order to get us back on the right path. God wants nothing but the best for us and sometimes He has to get our attention in order to do it.

Be that as it may, Jacob went to his household and told everyone to get rid of the household gods, idols, or foreign gods that they might have had in their possession. And after doing this, Jacob also instructed his family to purify themselves and change their clothing. This was done, simply because they were now going to Bethel and once they arrived, they will build an altar unto the Almighty God.

Jacob would bury the household gods, idols, or foreign gods and the rings that they had in their ears and buried them under the oak tree that was located near Shechem. After doing this, Jacob and his household would begin their journey to the land of Bethel. Understand that God would be with Jacob and because of this, the terror of the Almighty had fallen upon all the towns (civilizations & tribes) that were around them. So therefore no one would pursue, or try to bring harm to Jacob and his family, in regards to the fatal events that had taken place with the Shechemites.

And because of this divine protection, Jacob and his family would arrive at Bethel in peace and without harm. Jacob would build the altar and make a sacrifice to the Almighty God. Know that the sacrifice probably was the tenth of Jacob's cattle overall. After doing this, Jacob would call the place "El Bethel"... which signified - "the God of the house."

Now that Jacob has settled in the place that the Lord had promised him. He will encounter some bad news that involves some people who were apart of his upbringing and some who were close to his heart.

The Introduction of Abraham

The Birth of Isaac

The Birth of Esau & Jacob

Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty

**YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE**

Joseph the Favorite Son

Joseph the Overseer of Egypt

The Unveiling of Joseph

54) Jacob the Prosperous

55) Jacob departs from Laban

56) Rachel the Thief

57) Jacob's Mistake

58) Laban's Pursuit

59) The Friendship Covenant

60) The Host of Angels

61) Jacob Wrestles with God

62) The Reconciliation of Jacob & Esau

63) Dinah the Daughter of Israel

64) The Plot of Vengeance

65) <-CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE PAGE->

66) The Season of Passing

67) The Descendants of Esau

68) Joseph the Favorite Son