Month: June 2025

Genesis 35:13 Then God went up from him at the place where he had talked with him.

Today has me thinking about the places where God has talked to me. Definitely my recliner, where I sit each morning as I read scripture, ponder God’s word, and drink my coffee. My bed, as when I inevitably wake up at 3am and toss and turn, God and I often talk. My yard, where God and I have wrestled over agonizing life events, where He reminded me He doesn’t always make the pain go away, but He always holds me, always walks with me.

Genesis 35:14 Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. 

The thing is, the places where God has talked to me are common, ordinary places. It’s not the location that is significant, it’s the state of my heart. Am I in a space to seek, to listen, to hear? Sometimes the answer is no and my recliner, my bed, my yard are just…ordinary. But when my heart is right, when I am truly listening, God can and will and does talk with me wherever I am.

Genesis 35:15 Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel. 

Precious Savior, Thank You that You talk with me, listen to me, guide me. I am so laughably far from perfect. I fail every single day. But I love You, and I try to seek You. Thank You for being with me, for showing up, for whispering to my heart. Amen.

Genesis 35:16 Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty.

Have a blessed day.

Genesis 35:9 After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. 

As I was reading today’s scripture, particularly verse 10, Isaiah 43:1 came to mind: … “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” God not only calls us by name–as Jacob/Israel shows us here, He also reminds us who we are in Him. No longer Jacob but now Israel. 

Genesis 35:10 God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” So he named him Israel.

And as salty as I am about Jacob’s ridiculousness, as much as I want to say, “Seriously, God, You want to give him *another* chance?,” the messy, fallible human in me says, “Thank You, Jesus, that You never gave up on him, that You never give up on me. I do not deserve the second and third and fourth chances, but I am so grateful You give them. Thank You.”

Genesis 35:11 And God said to him, “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants. 

Precious Savior, Thank You that the words of Isaiah 43:1 are not only for Jacob/Israel, but also for me: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Thank You that You do not cast us aside just because we mess up. Thank You that You give us chance after chance after chance to get it right, that You show us example after example in Your Word of Biblical stalwarts who messed up time and time again. It’s not about our perfection, it’s about Your fierce love. Thank You. Amen. 

Genesis 35:12 The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.”

Have a blessed day.