Genesis 35:1-7 Jacob was a deceiver and cheater and, in many ways, a slow learner. Even when it came back on his own head and he himself was the victim. He still didn't learn. But, there was a place and a time where God had met him on the road when he was running from his brother Esau. God got his attention and renewed the covenant that was made to his fathers. In chapter Genesis 35, God tells him, "Jacob, it's time to go back to Bethel." It was time to go back to the place where he had met God, and this time began doing it right. Jacob's response was a house cleaning for him and his household. All the foreign gods were gathered together and buried. The purifying and changing of clothes indicate a time of repentance. Even when he turned around and was heading back to Bethel, the people around could tell that God was with Jacob, that Jacob's life was no longer a joke, and they didn't "mess" with him. God had put His terror on them. Jacob was really not much different than we are. We keep just enough of God in our lives to make it seem alright to us, but we're the only ones who are fooled. Others can see the scam and God certainly can. It's time for us to head back to "Bethel", the place where we first met God; dump all the garbage that we've accumulated and allow God to take the driver's seat and work His "program" in our lives.

Making a Clean Start