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¹ And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.
² Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
³ And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
⁴ And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.
⁵ And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.
⁶ So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, that is Bethel, he and all the people that were with him.
⁷ And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother.
⁸ But Deborah Rebekah’s nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth.
⁹ And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.
¹⁰ And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.
¹¹ And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;
¹² And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.
¹³ And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him.
¹⁴ And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
¹⁵ And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel.
¹⁶ And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labor.
¹⁷ And it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.
¹⁸ And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died,) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.
¹⁹ And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.
²⁰ And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave unto this day.
²¹ And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar.
²² And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:
²³ The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:
²⁴ The sons of Rachel; Joseph and Benjamin:
²⁵ And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid; Dan and Naphtali:
²⁶ And the sons of Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid; Gad and Asher: these are the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padanaram.
²⁷ And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.
²⁸ And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years.
²⁹ And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
💖 The Power of Obedience: Embracing God’s Covenant 💫
“And God said unto him, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.” – Genesis 35:1
Genesis 35 marks a pivotal moment in Jacob’s life, as he answers God’s call to return to Bethel. This chapter is a profound lesson on God’s faithfulness, obedience, and the continuation of His promises to His people. The chapter reveals not only Jacob’s journey but also the reaffirmation of God’s covenant, and it challenges us to examine our own commitment to God’s plan for our lives.
📜 Structure of Genesis Chapter 35
Verses 1–3: God’s Command to Jacob
God commands Jacob to go back to Bethel and build an altar to the Lord. Jacob, faithful to God’s instruction, gathers his household and purges them of idols. This moment highlights the importance of obedience and purity in our relationship with God.
Verses 4–5: The Purging of Idols
Before setting out, Jacob commands his household to put away foreign gods and cleanse themselves. This act symbolizes the need for spiritual renewal and commitment to God alone. Their departure from Shechem is marked by divine protection, as they are not pursued by those who may seek to harm them.
Verses 6–8: The Journey to Bethel and Deborah’s Death
As Jacob and his family travel toward Bethel, they experience God’s protection. Deborah, Rebecca’s nurse, passes away, and is buried beneath an oak. This reflects the passing of an old season and the continuity of God’s faithfulness through generations.
Verses 9–12: God’s Reaffirmation of His Covenant
God appears to Jacob again, affirming His covenant. He reminds Jacob of the new name He gave him, Israel, and promises to bless him with a great nation. This is a powerful moment of divine reassurance and the continuation of the promise made to Abraham and Isaac.
Verses 13–15: Jacob Sets Up an Altar
Jacob sets up an altar at Bethel, calling the place El-Bethel, which means “God of Bethel.” His act of worship signifies his recognition of God’s presence and faithfulness in his life. This moment also serves as a public declaration of Jacob’s commitment to God.
Verses 16–20: Rachel’s Death and the Birth of Benjamin
Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife, dies during childbirth while traveling near Ephrath. She names her son Benoni, meaning “son of my sorrow,” but Jacob renames him Benjamin, meaning “son of the right hand.” This tragedy marks the end of an era for Jacob, but it also points to God’s redemptive work in the midst of pain.
Verses 21–22: Reuben’s Sin
Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, commits a grievous sin by lying with Bilhah, his father’s concubine. This act of defiance brings consequences, and it foreshadows the tensions that will follow in the tribe of Israel.
Verses 23–29: The 12 Sons of Jacob
The chapter concludes with a recounting of the names of Jacob’s twelve sons, who will become the twelve tribes of Israel. The narrative ties back to the promises God made to Abraham, affirming that Israel’s future is secure under God’s guidance.
💡 Key Themes
✨ Obedience to God’s Call
Jacob’s journey to Bethel underscores the importance of responding to God’s call, no matter how difficult it may seem. God’s plan for us is often revealed through moments of obedience and faith.
✨ God’s Covenant Faithfulness
God reaffirms His covenant with Jacob, reminding him that His promises are unshakeable. This chapter is a reminder that God’s promises endure through every season of life, and He is faithful to His word.
✨ Spiritual Purity and Renewal
The purging of idols symbolizes the need for spiritual purity. Jacob’s household must leave behind their old ways to fully embrace God’s plan. This moment teaches us the importance of spiritual renewal and putting away things that hinder our relationship with God.
✨ The Sovereignty of God in Life’s Difficulties
The death of Rachel and Reuben’s sin are difficult moments in Jacob’s life, but God continues to work through them. Even in hardship, God’s sovereignty and plan unfold, revealing His redemptive purposes.
👤 Key People
- Jacob (Israel) – A man who continues to grow in faith, receiving God’s reaffirmation of the covenant. He learns to trust in God’s faithfulness and responds in obedience.
- Rachel – Jacob’s beloved wife, whose death brings sorrow but whose son, Benjamin, represents the continuation of God’s promise.
- Reuben – The firstborn son of Jacob, whose sin brings shame but also foreshadows future struggles for Israel.
- God – The ever-faithful covenant keeper, whose promises are renewed and affirmed through His dealings with Jacob and his family.
🔥 Why This Chapter Matters
Genesis 35 serves as a pivotal moment in the life of Jacob, where God reaffirms His covenant and challenges His servant to remain faithful. It shows that even in our failures and grief, God’s plan for our lives continues to unfold. Our journey with God requires obedience, spiritual renewal, and trust in His promises, especially during challenging times.
💭 Let’s Reflect
- What areas of your life do you need to surrender to God, putting away idols or distractions?
- How can you respond more faithfully to God’s call, even when it seems difficult or inconvenient?
- What do you think it means for God’s promises to be unshakeable in your life, especially during hardship?