GLEANINGS - GenesisSample

What is the significance of Bethel?

The Old Testament town of Bethel (formerly named Luz) was one of the first places in the Bible where the Hebrew people met with God. The most famous of these encounters was Jacob’s dream of a stairway to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it, and the Lord standing above it (Genesis 28:10–22). In the original Hebrew, Bethel means “house of God.” It is a place of solitude and intimacy with God.

Just as Bethel took on importance in the early history of the ancient Hebrews and of the Israelite nation as a point of connection with God and heaven, so it takes on a similar spiritual significance for us early in our spiritual growth.

In Genesis 28 we find Jacob making a deal with God! In essence, Jacob is saying to God, “If you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.” With his life in chaos, Jacob finally began his relationship with God. But sooner or later, we must turn our life over to God with no conditions or prerequisites. This is what Jacob experienced with God in chapter 35.

If verse 1, we find God calling Jacob to return to Bethel. Going back to Bethel means separation from sin and fellowship with God. When our spiritual lives begin to feel stale and unfruitful, we need to take a trip back to Bethel and remember the day we met Christ and how our life was changed because of Him and recount the circumstances and people that God used to lead us to His grace. Get rid of what hinders our spiritual growth and come back home.

After God told Jacob to return to Bethel and before departing, Jacob immediately called his family to repent. They were to get rid of their foreign gods, purify themselves, and change their clothes. We must do the same. We must get rid of any idols. Idols are anything that draws our focus and attention away from God. Anything we put our trust in over him. Sometimes they can be pleasures like entertainment, a hobby, or sports. Sometimes they can be people like friends, family, or a relationship. Sometimes they can be things like a job, car, or money.

God wants His people to return to the House of God and dwell there. How is God calling you to return to Bethel? How is God calling you to remind yourself of who God is, what his promises are, and who he says you are? How are you responding?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

Does life feel out of control? Do you feel that you are spiritually dry? Are you going through the motions with no sense of joy? If so, you need to return home. You need to return to your personal Bethel, you need to clean out the idols and garbage, and you need to seek the Lord.

QUOTE:

Revival is when God's people return to God and God returns to them, and everyone sees the difference. Henry Blackaby

PRAYER:

Lord, help me to get back to Bethel, where I first met You. Help me to put aside all idols and recommit myself afresh to You today. I do not want to live for myself but for You alone and look forward to hearing You say when I come home to you "Well done." Amen