the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 1 of 5
Genesis 35:1-15
After the shameful events which had occurred in his family, Jacob is troubled and discouraged (Genesis 34:30). God is not willing to leave him in this condition, and speaks to him once again: "Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God". Bethel, the house of God, is the place of His presence. The same divine voice invites the Christian each first day of the week to cease being busy with earthly business, in order to go to the place where the Lord has promised His presence and to worship Him in spirit and in truth. But before being able to obey, as Jacob knows well, one thing is essential. Objects are hidden in his tents which are not suitable for the holy presence of God; the domestic images of Laban are still in Rachel’s tent. Having been tolerated for a long time these "strange gods" must be ruthlessly thrown out when he appears before the LORD. Only after this can Jacob go up to Bethel, a place which he now stopped finding "dreadful". He builds an altar there, remembering with gratitude the blessings he has received and hears from God the confirmation of all His promises. When he has judged and given up what was incompatible with his lofty service, many blessings of great price are heaped upon the worshipper in God’s presence (Hosea 14:8).
