Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Returning to Roots

a. Essential

b. Wisdom

2. Re-establishing a Faith-Relationship with God

Then God said to Jacob, “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

a. Go to Bethel

b. Dwell there (Not Shechem)

c. Make an altar there to God

VITAL TRUTHS ABOUT GOD

9 Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him.

10 And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.” So He called his name Israel.

11 Also God said to him: “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body.

12 The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.”

Genesis 35:9-12

1. God’s appearance to Jacob

Then God appeared to Jacob again Genesis 35:9

a. He is real

b. He is relevant

c. His blessing makes all the difference!

2. God’s word to Jacob

Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.
Genesis 35:10

a. Your name is Jacob

b. Your name shall not be called Jacob anymore

c. But Israel shall be your name

3. This was what God said on an earlier occasion

26 And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.”
But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”

27 So He said to him, “What is your name?”

He said, “Jacob.”
28 And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
Genesis 32:26-28

a. Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel

b. For you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed

DEEPER TRUTHS TO BE FATHOMED

11 Also God said to him: “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body.

12 The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.”

Genesis 35:11-12

1. Knowledge of God

I am God Almighty

Genesis 35:11a

a. God

b. All-powerful

2. Challenge

a. To be fruitful

b. And multiply

3. God’s Promises

a. A nation

b. A company of nations

c. Kings shall come from your body

4. A special promise about “the land”

The land of Canaan

a. Promised to Abraham

b. Promised to Isaac

c. Now promised to Jacob also and his descendants

CONCLUSION

1. God left Bethel after appearing to Jacob

2. Jacob’s response

14 So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He talked with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it.
15 And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel.

Genesis 35:14-15

a. A pillar of stone was set up

b. Poured a drink offering on it

c. He poured oil on it

d. He called the place “Bethel” (Cf. Genesis 28)

3. Our Challenge

a) To make an adequate response to what we have learned

b) To determine not to repeat past mistakes

c) To have a new sense:

i) Of Renewal

ii) Of renouncing the wrong things of life

iii) Of determination to walk closely with the Lord God