Returning Home

O.T.#72  "Returning Home"
June 19, 2012
Genesis 35-Part 2
And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blesssed him.
Genesis 35:9

LET IT GLOW

We struck out on our own, the four of us, back in 1980. Our children were ages 3 and 1. We were following God's leading for our lives. The first step was to get a  college degree while serving in
the pastorate. We were gone 17 years from our home area, our home church where we were both baptized and we were married, and the area where our two children were born. That was a long
time, 17 years, yet it flew by, too. We had so many lessons to learn about our God and life in general. We were excited when God led us back to a church in that area. We have still remained
here 16 years, serving God in the same church and association. Oh the experiences we have experienced! Yet, if we had never stepped out in faith, we would not have experienced them. I
don't regret any of it. How faithfully our God provided! I wonder if Jacob was excited to return to Canaan. Shall we see.

Finally, Jacob gets back to Bethel. It's been a long time coming, his getting back into God's will.
I recon he learned a few lessons while out there on his own-went to Haran, worked 14 years for 2 wives, had 12 sons and at least one daughter, endured a deceiving father in law, sorrows and trials, and got homesick (maybe).

God appeared to Jacob again, in verse 9. This time, God:

• reaffirmed Jacob's new name-Israel;
• told him a nation and a community of nations would be from Jacob;
• said kings would be in his lineage;
• gave the land given to Abraham and Isaac to Jacob and his 12 sons.

Jacob built an altar, a pillar of stone, offered a drink offering and poured oil upon it. He worshiped at Bethel and renewed his fellowship with God.

Doesn't it help encourage us when we hear about the promises of God for His children, about our future home in heaven? Are you walking by faith where you are?


LET IT GROW

Jacob traveled three times in chapter 35 (verses 5, 16, 21). God had called him to go "back to Bethel"
after being gone 20 years. What is so special about Bethel? It was the place of the Jacob's vision
and vow.

When a person is backslidden,(as Jacob was) there is nothing else for him to do but go back to the place of dedication and renew his vows. The only place for sin is in the grave. (Wiersbe)

There are four graves mentioned in this chapter:

1. the grave of the idols (verse 4) Before Jacob could take his tribe, family, back to the altar,  they had to clean house-get rid of the idols and jewelry associated with heathen worship by burying them.
2. Deborah's grave (verse 8) She was Rebekah's nurse; Jacob's mother was Rebekah.; when Rebekah left her home to go marry Jacob's father, she took her damsels with her. That's all all I could find about Deborah. She must have been in the family so long that she was like family. She must have been important for God to mention her in His Word.
3. Rachel's grave (verse 19) Rachel gave birth to her second son, Benoni, and then she died. (Joseph was Benjamin's older brother.) Jacob called the boy Benjamin. Benoi means son of   my pain or son of my misfortune; while Benjamin means son of my right hand. (Falwell)    The memorial of Rachel could still be seen in Moses' day, about one mile north of Bethlehem    (verse 20). (MacArthur)            
4. Isaac's grave (verse 29) Isaac was Jacob's father; Isaac's funeral brought Esau and Jacob together once again. Isaac was 180 years old when he died. 

Why mention these four graves? It puts the family into perspective-no idols were taken back to Bethel, only God is worshiped; the older generation passed away-Isaac; Jacob's beloved Rachel
is gone. Who does that leave? Israel, (Jacob's new name) and his 12 sons, later known as the     Twelve Tribes of Israel, and their 3 mothers.

It is a hard thing, burying a loved one. Yet, we learn to carry on without them. Does it make our
faith stronger or weaker?

LET IT GO

Cling to God's promises; daily hunt for them in His Word.

Trust the Lord with my family.

Thank You Lord Jesus that You never leave us nor forsake us.