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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 277

"You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word." Psalm 119:114

Text: Genesis 35:1-29

A STARTLING RESPONSE

Was Jacob right in suspecting the presence of foreign gods in his household? The following text reveals a startling truth!

“So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods (idols)
which were in their hands, and the earrings which were
in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree
which was by Shechem.”
GENESIS 35:4

Jacob was right! There were foreign gods in his household! He had failed to keep watch of the deadly influences that had crept into his household!

“All the foreign gods which were in their hands”

There is no question about the fact that this statement would include his own sons! They had been influenced by their neighbours who worshipped foreign gods! They probably kept this part of their life from Jacob for a good long time!

“And the earrings which were in their ears”

Earrings by themselves were not a problem. If earrings were of mere ornamental value, they may be worn. However, if earrings were worn as a symbol of religious affinity, then they must be discarded!

“And Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem”

Jacob was leaving Shechem for good! He wanted to put away this recent horrifying memory! He personally buried all the foreign gods (idols) and the different religious paraphernalia. Burying them was of great symbolic significance!


THE MERCY OF GOD

Jacob was right to fear reprisal! God had to especially protect Jacob and his household as they made their way to Bethel.

“And they journeyed, and the terror of God was upon the cities
that were all around them, and they did not pursue
the sons of Jacob.”
GENESIS 35:5

1. The terror of God

This must be interpreted as a supernatural act of God! The citizens in surrounding cities somehow did not dare to attack the sons of Jacob. If there had been reprisals, more blood would have been shed. It was possible that some if not all of the sons of Jacob would have been killed

2. Keeping a Covenantal Promise!

God’s special protection must be interpreted as an expression of great mercy. He was keeping the Covenantal promise He had made to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob!