GENESIS 35 IDOLS AND EARRINGS Observing the movement of Jacob and his family, I was made very conscious of the fact that God took very seriously His first meeting with Jacob at Bethel. Everything between God and Jacob started at that place. When a person first meets God, that personal relationship begins on a very basic premise - "Now one knows God."
"This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God. and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." (Jesus' prayer. Jn.17:3)
But time has passed. God has been blessing Jacob for over twenty years. He has learned the fear of God and much more of who God is and what He does. He has learned much about himself also. No longer is there a place for good-luck charms that people had as little idols to look to in when in fear or looking for favors. The earrings as evidence of self-interest or some sign of what is important in one's life, do not have a place when one is in the presence of God. "Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart." At Bethel, the house of God, the objective is to do and be what pleases God; what is acceptable to Him as we worship and remember Him. Anything that would be a distraction to me or anyone else in our relationship with God, should be put away. Other people may never say a word to us, but our attitude toward God has an effect upon those who watch us as we pass by to give God His due.
I learned from watching that large number of people gather at Bethel, that what happens between God and me, affects many others. They may not be as impacted by being at Bethel as I am, or even in the same way, but they will see what the impact of meeting with God has on me. No longer is Jacob known as the man as the "suplanter " or deceiver. He is now known by God as "A prince with God." His life and being has a different focus now. Now he had a desire to stay close to God and be with God in the good parts and disappointments of life. Life is not going to be problem-free. But now instead of drawing back, we must go forward with God. Difficulties are an inevitable part of human life, but God allows them to come to us as opportunities for growth and development. We need to have times of trouble in order to prevail over them and experience God in our lives.
I saw Jacob set up a pillar of testimony to mark the place where God talked with him. As that pile of stones was raised higher and higher, the family would look on and know that something very important had happened to Jacob there. Then when the pure anointing olive oil was poured down over that pillar, they would know this place would be forever important to Jacob. I cannot expect my family and others to experience what I have in my dealings with God. It would be wrong for me to try and get them to duplicate my experiences. However, when the time may come, and they ask questions of me regarding my life and my hopes and my reasons for doing what I do, I will then have the opportunity to tell them what happened. Perhaps in their lives they too may find a place called "Bethel" where everything changes and we don't care what those around may think or say.
As I observed the funeral of Rachel, I thought of a beautiful woman who died young and seemed so disappointed during much of her life. She was the object of her husband's love but seemed to want much more. Maybe her problem had to do with the idols she hid in the camel's furniture. There are those who never seem to separate themselves to Christ alone and keep hidden objects as a hopeful source of comfort seeking to find meaning in objects of gold or silver, or in the things the world around considers important. There is never any lasting satisfaction in lifeless or tangible things. Our life and hope have to be in that which is living. The living God, the Living Water, the Living Bread, The Living Word, the Living Hope. Without those living things there is no real meaning to our existence - no real lasting purpose to the passing years.
I watched from my place in history and saw a man, Reuben, going into his father's wife. It reminded me of another man who did the same thing in Corinth. At the time there didn't seem to be a whole lot of concern about it, but in both cases the future revealed the consequences of such actions. Reuben lost his place of leadership and the double portion that would have been his. The Corinthian man was put away from among God's people until he learned the evil of such action and there was genuine repentance of that terrible sin. There is a principle that affects all of our actions in life - "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
Isaac lived to see Jacob and his family return. He would have seen the way God was going to fulfill His promise before he died. For all the quietness of his personality and patience he demonstrated in life, he could see the hand of God in the unfolding events of his family and would have been able to find rest in his soul in the promises of God.
The twin brothers were able at least to accomplish one thing together in their lives. They came together to bury their father. How strange life can sometimes be when people act on their own without God. The whole purpose of life seems to be missed and about the only thing that can be done when two are out of fellowship, is to bury our dead. It is not uncommon for simple things to keep us from life's real meaning. Everyone around us does what they want, that is common practice to most human beings. But when one is a child of God, and is walking this road of life by faith, Then that which is to be our adorning is our actions and words of grace.
Anything that has a tendency to lift man up to a place of eminence, Is to be buried and left alone, that in all things Christ has preeminence. The life of a child in the family is to be a reflection of our heavenly Father. All those material evidences of success and "good luck," we should never with them bother.
Our calling is much higher, the place we belong is at Bethel to meet with God. There God has the place of our affection and attention, His name is the One we laud. At the house of God, we learn about God Himself and also, we learn His truth. There everything is viewed in holy light and everything is seen in its true worth.
There is no doubt when we go to that place our feet are walking on holy ground. What really is lasting and important stands out, we get a proper perspective of what's around. At the house of God, God is not some vague idea or someone who is from days of old - But is recognized as the Source of our life; our breath in His hands He holds.
At the house of our God our pillar we raise as to our God we testify. He is real in our lives, we owe our allegiance to Him, we take our stand at His side. Others may not understand, or even care, but to us who believe He is supreme. We live in Him, our life is “hid” with Christ in Him, in Him we have our very being.
When the children ask, "What is this high pillar for?" we are able to say - "This is where we meet with God and worship Him. To us, this is a special day. For God met with me a long time ago, and now we meet on a regular basis.
Here our hearts are joined and entwined with His - this is one of life's holiest places."
We bring our offerings to Bethel and pour them out before the Lord. He establishes the testimony and we dare not act in just any way, but according to His Word. The Holy Spirit like pure oil pours forth and makes what we do acceptable to Him. By God's grace we will end our journey at Bethel, where our life of faith did begin.
"O Holy God, the God of all grace and mercy: may I never stray from the lessons and fellowship learned at Bethel - Thy house. My hope and prayer are to be at Bethel in my spirit when the Lord comes or I die. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."