Context No. 3029 of 4322 · Genesis

Genesis 35:1-8: in context

1God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and live there. Make there an altar to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.” 2Then Jacob said to his household, and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. 3Let’s arise, and go up to Bethel. I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me on the way which I went.” 4They gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the rings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem. 5They traveled, and a terror of God was on the cities that were around them, and they didn’t pursue the sons of Jacob. 6So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him. 7He built an altar there, and called the place El Beth El; because there God was revealed to him, when he fled from the face of his brother. 8Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the oak; and its name was called Allon Bacuth.

God tells Jacob to go up to Bethel and build an altar there, the place where God appeared to him when he fled from Esau. But before he goes, Jacob says to his whole household: put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. They hand over all their idols and even their earrings, and Jacob buries them under the oak near Shechem.

Before Jacob can return to Bethel, the place of his first encounter with God, he has to clean house. His household had quietly accumulated foreign gods, idols carried along in the baggage, and Jacob calls for their removal and a fresh consecration before going up to worship. A renewed meeting with God requires putting away the rival gods we have let creep in. And notice what follows their obedience: as they travel, a terror of God falls on the surrounding cities, and no one pursues them. Consecration and God's protecting hand go together.

What foreign gods have quietly accumulated in my life that I need to put away before returning to meet God at his altar?

Sources

Genesis 35:2: "Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments."
Joshua 24:23: "Now therefore put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD."
2 Corinthians 7:1: "Let's cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."