Our spiritual journey is a constant evolution, a continuous journey to grow closer to God - and Genesis 35 beautifully displays a critical step in this journey. Here, God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there. Make there an altar to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau." So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments. Genesis 35:1-2.
This scripture emphasizes that we cannot live out God's purpose with a life distant from His altar. We may delay our blessings by failing to comply with this crucial step in our spiritual process - the abandonment of sin and old harmful practices. We are asked to cleanse ourselves symbolically and literally, to cast away anything that doesn't align with God's divine path.
The reward of living a life with God is demonstrated in the following passage from the same chapter of Genesis:
And God said to him, "I am God Almighty; be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you." Genesis 35:11-12.
These verses illustrate the abundant blessings God bestows upon those who commit to a life with Him. God's promise to Jacob wasn't just for Jacob; it is for us too. When we live according to God's will, when we build an altar in our hearts for Him, we receive countless blessings, both seen and unseen.
Today, take a moment to reflect on these lessons from Genesis 35. Ask God to help you rid your life of any 'foreign gods' and purify your heart. As you step into this new life with God, expect His blessings to begin to overflow.
You are destined for greatness, and like Jacob, you too can experience God's divine promise. Always remember, you are deeply loved by the Almighty, and He intends for you to be fruitful and multiply in every aspect of your life.
May your day be filled with the joy of His presence and the anticipation of His blessings.