The Triumphant Promise of Grace (Genesis 35:1-15)

We've all been there, times when we are filled with a gut wrenching sense of fear and uncertainty, Whatever your situation, you all know what it feels like to be deathly afraid, and then, it comes..... a good and comforting word which changes everything. Here we have an account of the Lord Almighty who descends not to destroy Jacob and his family for their heinous sin, but He reveals His merciful presence to him in a time of great distress. Calling Jacob to rise up and go to Bethel, the place of the promise, God is reminding Jacob that despite his family's acceptance of foreign gods, nothing can thwart the His mighty plan of redemption. In this story in the life of Jacob, we see a vivid picture of our own history as God's people from Adam: a picture of God's relentless grace in our lives even as we fall into sin. In His mercy, God speaks to us, calls us to put away our idols and follow him, declares His blessing to us, and once again reminds us of His unshakable promises and steadfast love.