…whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, – Romans 15:4
(Jacob) called that place Bethel. Then Jacob made a vow, saying…the Lord (YHWH) will be my God.
– Genesis 28:19-21 (NASU)
In Chapter 34 years go by and is never mentioned
The family begins to
Dinah had been defiled (v.5)
Simeon and Levi, took their swords…killing every male (v.25)
But in Chapter 35 God is mentioned
Observations on coming back to Bethel:
(v.1) Bethel: House of God (Easton’s)
Go to the House of God and (v.1)
Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near. – Hebrews 10:25 (TLB)
To come back, Jacob will need to change
For this is the will of God…that you abstain from sexual immorality – 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (NASU)
The best thing parents can do for their children is to be in themselves
Let go of some things that aren’t
Put away your foreign gods (v.2)
The family with God after got right (v.4)
Coming back, the family experiences a renewed sense of God’s and (v.5)
Coming back, Jacob realizes it’s not about the place,
it’s about the of the (v.7)
El-bethel: The God of the House of God (BD&B)
(Jesus) For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst – Matthew 18:20
(v.8) Allon-bacuth: Oak of Weeping (EBD)
Now back at Bethel (House of God) Jacob begins to God’s again (vv.9-12)
A Story within The Story (vv.16-21)
In Bethlehem:
The Mother calls Him Ben-Oni: Son of my sorrow (Strong’s)
But the Father calls him Benjamin: Son of my right hand (EBD)
And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed — and a sword will pierce even your own soul.” – Luke 2:34-35
…looking unto Jesus…and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2 (ASV)
(v.22) Genesis 49:3-4
(vv. 23-26)
Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people – Deuteronomy 9:6 (NIV)