Here we have Jacob's family recap. We find him returning to God. He, in a sense, had been withdrawing from God and God called him back to His house-Bethel- means House of God. As Christmas time is approaching I am suddenly struck with the thoughts of home and what a good papa does. He Calls You Home! Come back to the place where we spent time together. Come back to base. Come back to where it all started for you and me.
We could make a lot of excuses. I know I do. I never have enough money. I haven't been "home" in more than 9 years. The situations are never ideal. Our car is not travel ready. I think about this and I think about all the excuses we give to God. We aren't good enough. We aren't ready. We have to clean up all our bad habits or at least learn to hide them better. I SAY- NO!!! Guess what? Jacob had messed up- big time. He wasn't in a great spiritual place when God (our papa) said- Come home. His daughter had just been raped, his older sons were murderers, and he had allowed idols into his home. HE WAS REALLY MESSED UP. I AM REALLY MESSED UP. But who calls us home? God, Papa, ABBA....Home...our most true home.
It will require sacrifices. In this chapter of Genesis we see Jacob building an altar and pouring out a drink offering. He buried all the idols. But he talked to God. He was grateful. He didn't blame God. And God said,
11 And God said to him, “I am God Almighty[f]; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants. 12 The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.”
God blessed him and changed his name. God knows our hearts. Let's all go back home.
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