READING: Genesis 35-38
The contrast is stark. The God of Jacob spoke to him. He told Jacob to go to Bethel, where He had appeared to him. That God had also delivered him, and He was with Jacob everywhere he had gone. Jacob’s God was a real, personal, and powerful God who revealed Himself and blessed Jacob as He wished. It’s no wonder, then, that Jacob marked the place where God had spoken to him.
At the same time, Jacob called his family to get rid of their foreign gods in preparation for meeting the true God. Apparently, the “worshipers” had enough power and control over the “gods” that they could rid themselves of them—indicating the gods were no gods at all. Indeed, the people handed Jacob their gods, and he hid them under a tree. Hardly do those who could not protect themselves from being hidden give any evidence of being gods.
There is only one true God. He just is, and He in grace wants to communicate with us through His Word and prayer.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: What idols do you have in your life?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, I praise You for who You are.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Genesis 39-41