Bible Pathway - Jan. 12, 2010
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Don't miss the real reason Dinah was disgraced; Jacob's return to Bethel; Abrahamic Covenant renewed with Jacob; Jacob told to return to Bethel (the House of God), but stops at Succoth; When we're out of the perfect will of God we're susceptible to sinful harm (chap. 34); The household "cleans up," throws out strange gods, heads home, and worships God (35:1-7).; Jacob has a famous name change! (35:9-15); Rachel's death.
Verses for Today:
And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went (Gen. 35:3)God had said to Jacob: Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee (31:3). But when Jacob arrived at the well-watered plains of Succoth, he built himself a house (33:17) and settled down with the Canaanites near the convenient markets of Shechem (33:18) rather than going on to Bethel and his relatives.
By doing so, he "temporarily postponed" the vow which he had made to God about 20 years earlier (28:20-21). We have no record that the Lord ever spoke to Jacob during the years he was at Succoth. But we do read that Jacob's family became friends with the Canaanites — a compromise that led to a series of immoral events (34:2,25-29).
After these tragedies, Jacob again turned to God. Realizing that drastic changes were needed in his half-heathen family before his worship could be accepted, he told them: Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went (35:2-3).
In their attempt to gain possessions and other worldly advantages, many have postponed doing the will of God. As a result, they no longer have a godly influence on others. Tragedies are often used of God to cause us to realize that we have drifted away from doing His will.
How easy it is to be diverted from the path God chose for us and consequently forfeit His blessings. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Prov. 4:23).
Love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (I Tim. 6:10).
Thought for Today:
Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you (II Cor. 6:17).
Christ Revealed:
As God Almighty, El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One (Gen. 35:11). Jesus is the Lord . . . which is . . . the Almighty (Rev. 1:8).
Word Studies:
34:2 defiled =raped; 34:3 his soul clave unto =his heart was set on; (see 34:4,12); 34:7 wrought folly in =wrought dishonor and shame into; 34:19 deferred not =did not delay; 34:20 gate =place of administration; 34:27 spoiled =plundered; 35:1 Bethel =ouse of God; 35:2 strange =false; 35:12 seed = descendants; 36:7 bear =support; 36:15 dukes =chiefs of the tribes.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Linda Kennon • Staff: Clarence Rathbone • Government Official: Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX) • Country: Spain (39.6 million) in southwestern Europe • Major languages: Castilian Spanish and Catalan • Limited religious freedom • 85% Roman Catholicism; 1% Islam; .5% Protestant; .5% Jehovah's Witness; 13% Other (Mormon, Jewish, Secular Humanist) • Prayer Suggestion: Pray daily to your Father in heaven (Dan. 6:10).
Optional Reading: Matthew 12
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 23:4
