Jacob had been living outside of the will of God. Jacob's 'I'll do it my way' partial obedience had brought tragedy. He had tarried at Shechem with disastrous consequences for his family and the people of Shechem. In the aftermath of the shocking events of chapter 34 who knows what Jacob would have done if left to his own devices but God intervenes with direct instructions, “Then God said to Jacob, “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.” (Genesis 35:1)
Main Points
- The Call to Covenant Renewal
- The Reality of Covenant Protection
- The Covenant Confirmed
- The Common Troubles of Covenant People