God instructs Jacob to go to Bethel and build an altar. Jacob orders his household to get rid of foreign gods and purify themselves. He leads his family to Bethel, where he builds an altar and calls the place El Bethel (God of Bethel).God protects Jacob from nearby cities, ensuring he travels safely. This passage is a powerful reminder of obedience, renewal, and God’s protection. Jacob’s return to Bethel symbolizes coming back to a place of worship and rededication to God. His command for his household to put away foreign gods and purify themselves shows the importance of spiritual cleansing before encountering God.

It reads in Genesis 35:1-7 Easy: After these things had happened, God said to Jacob, ‘Go to Bethel and live there. Build an altar to worship me. I am the God who appeared to you when you were running away from Esau.’ So Jacob told the people in his house and everyone who was with him, ‘Throw out all the foreign idols that you have with you. Wash your body very well and put on clean clothes. Then we will go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to worship God. He is the one who answered me when I was in trouble. And he has been with me everywhere that I went.’ So the people gave to Jacob all their idols and the rings that were in their ears. Jacob buried these things under the oak tree near Shechem city. Then they began their journey. All the towns near there were afraid of God’s power. So no one attacked Jacob and his people. Jacob and everyone with him arrived at Luz, now called Bethel. That is in the land of Canaan. Jacob built an altar there. He called the place El Bethel, because that was where God appeared to him.[a] God had appeared to him when he was running away from his brother Esau.

Father God, You called Jacob back to Bethel, a place where You revealed Yourself to him in his time of trouble. In the same way, I come before You, longing to return to a place of deeper faith and obedience. Help me to remove anything in my life that does not honor You, just as Jacob called his household to cast away foreign gods. Purify my heart, cleanse my mind, and guide my steps according to Your will. As You protected Jacob and his family on their journey, I ask for Your divine protection over my life. Shield me from harm, surround me with Your presence, and let me walk in confidence, knowing You go before me. Father, just as Jacob built an altar to worship You, may I create a sacred space in my heart where I continually praise You, seek You, and remember Your faithfulness. You are El Bethel, the God of the House of God. Thank You and praise You for always calling me back to You, even when I stray. I choose today to follow, worship, and trust You completely. Love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.