Scripture – Genesis 35
Observation - After Jacob’s sons had retaliated on the people of Shechem, and Jacob felt vulnerable due to his son’s actions, Jacob told his family and all who were with him, to put away the foreign gods (idols) that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel. Jacob knew to call on God and he related calling on God with a place and specific actions. I like this, because I see a thoughtful and purposeful preparation by all, as they accompany their leader to go and seek the Lord. Jacob seeks the Lord and is found by the Lord. He experiences the presence of, the promises of, and the identifying change of God’s presence.
Application - I can see how I oftentimes relate with seeking God in a particular place; we call it church; but it’s really just a building in which the church gathers. The truth is, that I do not gather to a place to seek God, as much as I come to Him through the person of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. It’s no longer a “place” as much as it is a “person”.
However, I think the place is important in that it gives the “together” aspect of seeking God. We are not alone; we have been joined together in a household of sorts – the household we call The Living Fortress. Those reading this, may have been called to another expression of the Body of Christ; wherever that may be, I believe the gathering of the saints together is essential.
I love the sense that there is a “together” aspect of cleaning house, preparing to go to the “place” with a sense of reverence, of thoughtful and purposeful preparation. I love the example of going to call on God – to meet with Him and seek His will in the midst of living in the vulnerability of the world in which we live and work.
To some in this world, I too am considered as “obnoxious”, just as Jacob felt he was; just because I am a follower of Jesus Christ; a faith that is seen as foolishness and potentially dangerous. It is good when I get to seek God with those of my household, because there is safety in numbers; but more importantly an anointing and power released when we gather in unity (Psalm 133) and in one accord (Acts 2).
Some may think, “Yeah, people think I’m obnoxious, too!” The question is, for what reason do they think you’re obnoxious? So many times as Christians we can be considered obnoxious because we talk very big but deliver very little. We claim to be followers of Jesus, but our words and actions show that there is something drastically missing; a true disconnect from His Lordship in every area. Maybe that’s a modern day idol we need to put away, as we clean house and seek the Lord; the idol of professing Christ as Savior, but our actions not bearing witness that He is also our Lord?
Prayer - Father, I love the example of Jacob (Israel) as he encounters a situation in which it would have been tempting to run in fear. I love how his problem drove him to seek You, instead of running away from his enemies in fear and shame. My problems can sometimes cause me to attempt to find my own solutions, when instead I need to seize the opportunity to prepare myself to seek You. May I seek You and lead those with whom I have relationship, to do the same.
