Slices
Prepare
Recall your first experience of God. Let that memory prepare you to meet with him in new ways today.
Bible passage
Jacob returns to Bethel
35 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.’
2 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, ‘Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. 3 Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.’ 4 So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem. 5 Then they set out, and the terror of God fell on the towns all around them so that no one pursued them.
6 Jacob and all the people with him came to Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan. 7 There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother.
8 Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died and was buried under the oak outside Bethel. So it was named Allon Bakuth.
9 After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. 10 God said to him, ‘Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.’ So he named him Israel.
11 And God said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants. 12 The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.’ 13 Then God went up from him at the place where he had talked with him.
14 Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. 15 Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel.
Explore
We can be slow to learn. Lessons have to be repeated. God takes Jacob back to where it all started. Sometimes going back is the best way forward. If we lose sight of God, we can remind ourselves of the time God first met with us and let that strengthen our faith. When doubts and questions arise, we can go back to the cross of Jesus and recall his love.
Going back gives us an opportunity to refocus our priorities. It will help us to get rid of anything which might pull us away. Far from the household gods providing protection, they have proved a hindrance. It’s good to review from time to time and get rid of anything that is hindering or damaging our relationship with God.
Once Jacob has refocused, he is in a better position to hear God refresh his promise and renew his call with a further reminder of his new name. God has great things for him. They are not dependent on Jacob – although he has to play his part of worship and obedience – but on the faithfulness and the long-term plan of God. Today we, the church of Jesus Christ, have a role to play in God’s faithful plan for his world.
Respond
What might you need to put aside in order to give God his rightful place in your life?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Proverbs 15,16; 1 Thessalonians 1
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray that God will enable Assistant Accountant Susannah Quinn to gain understanding as she studies Managing Account Techniques. Pray for energy and wisdom as she supports other departments with payment requests at this time, particularly the Mission Events team. Pray that God will multiply the resources we have.
