28/05/2023 - RETURNING TO THE BEGINNING OF THE PACT

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Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.” Genesis 35.1

Jacob addressed Simeon and Levi, saying that he was disturbed by their attitude toward the Hivites (Genesis 34.30), and the words he heard did not solve the problem (verse 31). That will be the answer we will get, if we ask for explanations for the mistakes people made. No one has the ability to help us, even if they are servants of God. But as we turn to the Lord for help, He will tell us how to get out of trouble!

Jacob saw the actions of his sons and sought the Most High. This should be done every time we fall into any sin. Now, those who sin move away from the Word and find themselves in a dangerous spiritual position. In his search for guidance, the patriarch was heard and instructed. The Lord will never fail to answer our call, especially when we pray for help.

The patriarch needed to go to where he found the Lord, but he had to get up. Fallen, he needed an encounter with the One who had appeared to him and made promises to him. We must act that was as well. Our place is the right spot in Scripture where we have heard the divine call, or have been comforted by instructions received in the past. There, God lifts us up!

Jacob was to go up to Bethel – God’s house. There, where God spoke to him or comforted him, he would be cared for again. Try to remember the part of the Word that you felt was the Lord calling or comforting you (2 Corinthians 1:4,5). Jacob could no longer stay in Shechem, even though he had bought land there. All that he faced are shadows of what happens to us. The important thing is to meet the Almighty again.

In Bethel, it was not to be a simple visit. Jacob and his family, as well as his animals, were to make their dwelling there. What a lesson! If we get lost in business or mistakes, we must turn to the divine presence, where God has spoken to us, and stay there. Learning to stand firm in the holy Word will be of great value, because the Father is where we left Him. There is nothing better than to walk with the Most High. He wants to walk with us!

The Lord’s instruction is this: Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent (Revelation 2.5). We need to obey and return to our calling. Remembering where we have fallen, repenting and returning to the first works are attitudes that will help us a lot, because they will prevent the blessing from being taken away from us.

The patriarch would have to make in God’s house an altar to Him who had appeared to him. Remember the things the Lord told you at first and you will have Him again. It didn’t matter to Jacob how much it would cost for him to go back. He had to tear down his tents and build them again, and bring all his farm as well. Never consider how much you have to start over with God.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares