The Daily Word: Friday, January 17th, 2020
Genesis 35:1-36:43
Matthew 12:1-21
Psalm 15:1-5
Proverbs 3:21-26
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
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.” – Gen. 35:1
Jacob had a history with God in Bethel. As Jacob was fleeing from his brother Esau, he had stopped to spend the night in Bethel. He saw, “…a ladder [that was] set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it” (Gen. 28:12). God spoke to Jacob in that place. He promised to give Jacob the land of Bethel. He promised to bless him and never leave him.
Now here was Jacob, years later, in unfamiliar territory. He had fled from his Uncle Laban with his entire family, and had just reconciled with his brother Esau. He didn’t know where to go or what to do; so God told him to go back to Bethel: not just to pass through, but to dwell. God told Jacob to go back to the place where Jacob and God had a history, and to camp around God’s presence in that place.
It’s time to go back to His presence! Was there a time in your life when you heard from God powerfully and consistently? It’s time to “go up” to that place and “dwell there.” It’s time to “make an altar there to God:” to offer something costly to Him that you’ve never offered before. As you dwell in His presence, He will refresh you. He will fill you with vision! He will tell you where to go and what to do; and He will remind you whom He created you to become.
Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him. – Gen. 35:9
Prayer:
Father, I’m going back to Your presence. Take me back to a place of consistent intimacy with You! I’m so grateful for Your ongoing presence, and Your persistent love, in Jesus’ name!
© Michael D. White, 2020. All rights reserved.