Go Back to Bethel

Remember. Remember. Remember.

Time and time again, all throughout Scripture, God tells His people to remember. Why? We are a forgetful people.

I read the first half of Genesis 35 on Saturday afternoon. Jacob’s sons had just committed a grievous act in response to another grievous act. His daughter was violated and her brothers take manifold vengeance. Jacob is grieved and afraid that his enemies will gather together and kill him, as well as his entire household.

God steps in and tells Jacob to go up to Bethel.

Bethel?

Now wait, there’s a connection here. Didn’t I just read this? Jacob’s been to Bethel before. The last time Jacob was in trouble and running from someone (his own brother, Esau) in fear for his life, he ends up meeting God in Bethel. What did God tell him then? Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you. (Genesis 28:15)

And now, once again in fear of his life, Jacob is told to: Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother. (Genesis 35:1)

Hear the reminder to remember? God’s telling Jacob to go back to Bethel – to the place where God comforted him and encouraged him. And not to just visit Bethel – but to dwell there. To dwell in the place of the promise.

Does Jacob catch it? Does he realize what God is trying to tell him? I think so. Look at his response to his family: Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone. (Genesis 35:3)

Jacob remembers. He remembers God’s promise in Bethel. He remembers God’s faithfulness to him. And Jacob knows that God is trustworthy. Jacob knows that God keeps His word and if He says to go up to Bethel, Jacob’s going up to Bethel.

Remembering God’s past faithfulness makes obeying God’s commands easier in the future. For Jacob and for us.

Find yourself in trouble? Remember. Remember God’s faithfulness and get back to Bethel, the place of promise.