Back to Bethel

And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone." – Genesis 35v2-3

The time had come when Jacob needed another encounter with God. God told him to go back to Bethel for another meeting. This time he was to take his people with him. His relationship with God had grown and he knew that he had to prepare his people. Some stuff had slipped into their lives that would not please God. His instructions were clear.

Put away your foreign gods
Purify yourselves
Change your garments

Apparently, despite the fact that, ‘God answered in the time of distress and was with them along their way,’ they had let worldliness slip into their lives. They were still God’s people, but their lives were not pleasing to Him.

Going ‘back to Bethel’ is more than just a matter of prayer and meeting with God. A true return to Bethel means a willingness to deal with the sins that have crept in and repent from them.

Bethel is the place of sweet fellowship and communion with God. We can’t expect to have that fellowship with forsaking the rubbish that comes with worldly living.