Put Away Strange Gods

Background Scripture: Genesis 35
Lesson Scripture: Genesis 35:1-7, 9-15

Introduction

Returning to Bethel is symbolic of humbling ourselves, repenting of and forsaking idolatry, and reconsecrating our lives to God. It means turning away from loving the world and our own ambitions while accepting God’s perfect will for our lives. It signifies putting aside offenses and forgiving that which may hinder the love of God flowing through our lives. It enjoins us to allow God to be on the throne of our heart and purge our lives of anything that displaces our devotion to Him.

Let us consider our own vow and commitment to God while we review the account of Jacob and his return to Bethel. Here he renewed the vow he once made there.

Key Verse

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart (Jer. 29:13).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Jacob had managed to obtain the birthright by deceit from his brother Esau and receive the blessing from his father, Isaac. Esau was very angry and wanted revenge, so Jacob fled from his father’s homeland and journeyed toward Haran where his uncle Laban lived. On the way he had an encounter with the Lord that would change his life. There, as he lay on stones for a pillow, he dreamed, and in this dream, Jacob saw a ladder extending from earth to heaven with angels ascending and descending the ladder. The Lord stood above the ladder and spoke to Jacob, promising him that He would give him the land where he dwelt and that He would go with him and bless him. Throughout all the generations of time, the Lord proclaimed, Jacob’s offspring would bless the entire human race. Jacob arose, and with the stone he had used for a pillow, set up an altar and poured oil over it. He vowed that if God would preserve and keep him in his journeys, bringing him again to his father’s house, he would surely make the Lord his God and give tithes. He named this place Bethel. Many years later after a dispute with Laban, now his father-in-law, he left Haran and traveled back to his homeland along with his wives, family, and many possessions. The journey proved to be treacherous and soul-searching for Jacob. He was pursued and confronted by his father-in-law, his encounter with the angel of the Lord left him crippled for life and his name was changed to Israel, and he had a meeting with his brother Esau in which they were reconciled. The Lord then came to Jacob and asked him to go to Bethel. There, Jacob asked his family to rid themselves of the strange gods among them and to make ready and prepare themselves by washing, thereby properly fulfilling the order of God for consecration.

Practical Truths for Today

There are many lessons to be learned from the account of Jacob’s return to Bethel. Without correction, we have the tendency to stray from the right, as the familiar hymn states, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love.” 1 The inclination to regress from that which we hold dear is ever present. Isaiah 53:6 says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” Because of this habitual tendency to veer off course, the call to return to God and his way applies not only to the unsaved but to the Christian as well.

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not” (Lam. 3:22). In kindness and mercy God tenderly invites the casual, half-hearted, and insincere to renew their love to Him. All mankind is entreated to repentance even though many may not respond. To those seeking to find their way with God, Jesus says, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:13-14). The backslidden and offended will find a right spirit renewed within (Ps. 51:10) through a repentance unto the Lord.

These Scriptures and many more point to the Lord drawing, leading, and directing us back toward Himself. We would be consumed by our own way if left to our own leaning and disposition. Our part is to respond by repenting and purging ourselves of sin and worldly lust and renewing our vows and commitments to God. We must learn to walk circumspectly (prudently and cautiously alert), submitting ourselves to the One who holds the key of eternal life. Let each one of us soberly look at our lives and see if there is anything that the Lord may not be pleased with.

Like the fine, sugary sand clinging to wet, bare feet on the seashore, the attitudes, customs, and spirits of the world want to accumulate upon our Christian walk. As we journey through the days and weeks of life, the subtle influence of the world and the deceitfulness of the heart at times have a way of leaving some residual content. Allowing the brethren to “wash our feet” and humbly asking God to cleanse us day by day keeps us victorious and our hearts clean. How often do we ask our spiritual brethren for help with the blind spot we have trouble seeing, and how open are we for the direction or reproof that we receive from them? Are we conscious and alert to the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit when we are shopping for clothes for ourselves or our children? Feeding worldly pride in any form is a modern-day god that every true Christian will have to put away. This manifests itself in the areas of our homes, businesses, and vehicles that we purchase and decorate.

What collection of strange gods need to be disposed of in order for us to draw closer to the Lord? Impurity, worldliness, lust, offense, and casualness are just a few of the outward manifestations of a heart that has become lukewarm. Jacob’s diligence is an example of getting rid of that which is an offense to consecrated, godly living. Someone has said that we should use every opportunity that life affords us to humble ourselves. Humbling ourselves is simply acknowledging what is truth about our lives and being willing to change or make adjustments as we become aware of our need. Let us not allow weariness to overtake us or have our enthusiasm dampened when we are chastised; the Lord corrects those whom He loves (Heb. 12:6).

How seriously do we take our responsibility to our families? Jacob was not aware of some of the false gods his family had brought along with them. When he did become aware of them, he guided and instructed his family. They submitted these idols to him, and he took responsibility for dealing with them. Only then could they continue on their journey, leaving these ungodly things behind and buried. Are there sometimes things in our homes that we are scarcely aware of that could be hindering us or our family’s growth to spiritual maturity? Are we actively involved with screening the content that comes into our homes through the medium of technology? Do we recognize the discontent that follows a life filled with selfish interest? Much of the time wasted on meaningless entertainment could be used to bless others.

Let us journey back to Bethel and renew the covenant there. A clear vision of the strange gods of today will be necessary in order to put them away. We need spiritual fathers and mothers who are not afraid to back up if need be and reaffirm the commitment to living humbly, modestly, and simply. God is also looking for young people who, although they have been born again and are members of the church, are willing to reconsecrate their lives in unwavering service to the Lord.

Illustration

In a recent young men’s preparatory class, hearts were opened up, and many experiences and testimonies were shared of the struggles and trials in Christian living. These young men explained how they overcame and found victory. The point was made of the things that weaken us and lessen our desire for spiritual things. A brother from the local congregation sat in on the class one morning and mentioned that as he had been thinking and praying about the class and the young men, three points came to his mind to underline and warn the young men about. The points were materialism, sports, and politics. Many of us could readily relate to how these particular things could hinder us in our Christian growth and become issues that need to be offered on the altar of consecration.

Questions

1. What is the proper diligence in our homes when it comes to being a watchman for ourselves and our children in the area of technology?
2. How should we discuss and find direction as congregations and among families regarding worldly entertainment and social involvement? What should we unitedly oppose?
3. How does temperance relate to idols and idolatry? Are there some things that are all right if done in temperance but not acceptable if indulged in?
4. 1 Robert Robinson (1735-1790), “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” Christian Hymnal
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).