Genesis 35:1-4
Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and live there, and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.” So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods which are among you, and purify yourselves and change your garments; and let us arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which they had and the rings which were in their ears and Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem.
As my sons and I read Genesis chapter 35 this morning for our daily Bible study, verses 1-4 really stood out to me. One of the things that I love about God’s word is just that – THAT IT IS GOD’S WORD! The Bible isn’t just a book, but a very real (and alive) vessel whereby God Himself speaks to us; AND He speaks to each of us personally. It always amazes me how after reading the same exact passages, my husband, sons and I can each receive something completely different.
So, as I read the verses above, I felt like the Lord was telling me to get rid of ALL my idols [foreign gods]. In addition, I felt Him saying to rid myself of all things that keep me captive. He reminded me that I cannot enter into His house unless I have done so.
Sometimes the stories in the Old Testament seem a bit out-dated and inapplicable to us and to life in 2013. However, these stories are very real and pertinent to our lives today. With the exception of technology and a few cultural differences, things haven’t really changed much. Take the foreign gods or idols for example…I may not have statues of people or animals, totem poles or crystals and gold laying around my home, but I definitely have things that I cherish. At times, the things that I cherish take precedence over my relationship with God. The idols of our time may include things like money, our homes, our cars, our jobs and even our children. Idols could be things like clothes, books, T.V. shows, music, and other treasured belongings. My boys mentioned video games and electronic devices. You may be wondering how those things could be idols. Well, I think of an idol as anything that I give more thought to, more time and attention to and get more excited about than God. This could also include relationships with people, our thoughts and our feelings. Another way something can be considered an idol is if we place more trust and hope in it than we do God. That may sound silly to you, but think of how many people place their hope in a job and/or money. Doesn’t seem so silly anymore does it? Please note: If you have statues of Buddha or any other foreign god in your home, clearly these are idols and not pleasing to God.
I prayed after reading this chapter for God to show me areas of my life that I have put before Him. I asked Him to show me things that seemed to have more significance in my life than they should. I also asked Him to reveal things that were a hindrance to my relationship with Him.
Psalm 26:2 ~ Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and my heart.
Lamentations 3:40 ~ Let us examine and probe our ways, and let us return to the Lord.
The next thing that I felt God was saying to me was to rid myself of anything that keeps me bound. In other words, those things that prevent me from being completely free or things that I have become a servant to. In verse 4, the people of Jacob’s household not only got rid of their idols, but their earrings as well. I thought that was interesting. Earrings have been associated with slavery for thousands of years and in many different cultures (to include the Israelites). These people knew that they could not go to Bethel (The House of God) with their earrings, so they removed them.
God reminded me that we cannot truly enter His House if we are in bondage. We may not be slaves to men in the way that we understand slavery, but there are so many things that we are slaves to in life and so much of the time we don’t even realize it. This can include fear and other emotions (this is a big one), unforgiveness, pride, complacency, lying, lust, people pleasing, profanity, food and even drugs and alcohol…and the list goes on. Sometimes, the things we become enslaved to are more subtle and not as noticeable to us or others. But God sees right past our outer appearance and our works and right into our hearts. He knows better than all of us the things that have us bound. Even more than that, He wants us to be released from these things.
What God was saying to me through these passages is that He wants us to grow in Him and grow closer to Him every day. We should not be staying in the same place our entire lives. And in order to progress, there are things that we have to lay down and get rid of. These things will be different for all of us. However, the one thing that is the same is that God wants us moving forward…and has wonderful things waiting for us when we do. We can’t get to those wonderful surprises if we refuse to leave our idols and the things that enslave us.
We have been set free through the blood of Jesus Christ and have been given the power to live successful, abundant lives of liberty!
Galatians 5:1 ~ It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
So what things have become idols in your life? And are there things that have you bound?
I’d like to encourage you to deal with those things TODAY. Examine your hearts. Ask God to show you what areas of your life (and things) you need to let go of, lay down and leave behind. God will not ask you to give up something that He doesn’t already have something better to give you in exchange.
Love,
Melissa
Honeybee's Hive 