Genesis chps 35
What strikes me here is how Jacob returns to God. Jacob clearly understood how the atrocity of Shechem and that he needed to be "purified". God led Jacob's family out of Shechem and even protected them.
God then repeated the same blessing Jacob has received several times previously.
After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. 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 God said to him, "I am God Almighty f]">[f] ; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will come from your body. The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you. (Gen 35:9-12)
I am reminded of how God is constant...life takes its twists and turns...and this was certainly true of Jacob. Yet through it all, God never ceased watching over Jacob and God never went back on the promise to bless Jacob. God is great.
My Prayer: Help me focus on your love and protection of me and how this will never cease or waver - when life takes its twists and turns, help me return to you for comfort and strength.
