Genesis 35:1-15
"Return to Bethel"
Here, we have Jacob returning to the place at which God had originally spoken to him. He prepares himself and prepares his family for this part of the journey through getting rid of any idols and purifying himself and themselves. They honored God and God protected them. God came and renewed the covenant to Jacob's forefathers with Jacob and promising it for his descendants.
What struck me about this passage, though, is the degree to which everyone prepares to meet God. I look at this and I look at Christians today and I see so many Christians taking God for granted; after all, God is their buddy on speed dial, right? Jacob had a deep reverence for God. He respected and revered Him and thus he wanted to give to God the best offering he could - a pure heart, not distracted by any thing, solely focused on God. Not just did he offer his heart, bu Jacob had the entire family purify themselves for God's presence. He presented the whole family as an offering, not just his own life.
Let us not take God for granted. Let us not forget that despite our relationship with him, God is still God and he is deserving of our respect, humility, worship, fear, adoration and the list continues. So, here's my challenge: approach God not as one meets a friend, but as one meets a king... over all other kings.
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