Genesis 35:5 Then they set out, and the terror of God fell on the towns all around them so that no one pursued them.
Loving God, It is so easy to pass judgement on Jacob and his family as they fumble around, trying to get things right. It’s easy to shake my head and shake my finger and say, “God’s right there. Why doesn’t Jacob trust? Why doesn’t he obey?,” but I know I’m just as guilty of headstrong obstinance when it suits me. Forgive me.
Genesis 35:6 Jacob and all the people with him came to Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan.
Holy Father, Nothing seems so clear, so certain, as “armchair quarterbacking” someone else’s mistakes, dissecting them, judging them. “Oh, they should have….” “Oh, I would have….” “Oh, If only….” but I am just as guilty of fumbling around in my own life, trying to get things right, trying to find my way. Forgive me–for my judgment and my fumbling.
Genesis 35:7 There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother.
Precious Savior, You are my Rock, my salvation, the One I cling to when everything feels like it’s falling apart. Help me to seek You first, before things start falling apart, instead of saving You for a last resort. You are where my peace can be found. Always. Amen.
Genesis 35:8 Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died and was buried under the oak outside Bethel. So it was named Allon Bakuth.
Have a blessed day.