Genesis 35 is a turning point in our journey of faith, a chapter where we see transformation, renewal, and the deepening of God’s promises to His people. In this narrative, Jacob receives a divine call to return to Bethel—a place of sacred encounter—and to purge his household of the foreign gods and idols that had accompanied him. For us, this story speaks of the need to let go of anything that hinders our relationship with God and to recommit ourselves to His eternal purposes.
The chapter begins with God instructing Jacob to arise, gather his household, and set out for Bethel, where God had first appeared to him. In following these instructions, Jacob takes a bold step toward leaving behind the influences of his past. He tells his family, “Cleanse yourselves, remove the foreign gods from your midst, and purify your hearts.” In our own lives, we often face similar calls to let go of habits, attachments, or idols that distract us from God's work. Jacob’s obedience challenges us to examine our hearts and to intentionally remove anything that interferes with our walk with God.
As Jacob and his household journey to Bethel, there is a palpable sense of anticipation and renewal. At Bethel, Jacob builds an altar—a physical act that represents his inner commitment to God and a public declaration of His faithfulness. When we see Jacob setting up the altar and naming the place El Elohe Israel, meaning “God, the God of Israel,” we are reminded that God’s presence transforms our surroundings. The altar becomes a symbol of hope and a testament that even when our lives are marked by struggle or sorrow, God’s promises remain steadfast. In our moments of uncertainty, this image encourages us to build our own altars of remembrance, marking the places where we encountered God’s mercy and guidance.
During the journey, we also read of significant family events that remind us how our relationships are intertwined with God’s redemptive plan. As the family moves toward Bethel, we learn that Deborah, the nurse of Rebekah, passes away. Her death, although a personal loss, is recorded with tenderness, signifying that every life, even those in the background, plays a part in the greater narrative of God’s people. It is a reminder that loss is a part of our human experience, and yet God honors each life as part of His unfolding plan.
Shortly afterward, Genesis 35 takes a heart-wrenching turn as Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife, finds herself in the midst of childbirth. In a moment that we might identify with through our own experiences of pain and hope, Rachel labors hard to bring new life into the world. However, her struggle ends in sorrow—she dies giving birth to Benjamin. Her passing is a poignant reminder of the cost of life and the bittersweet nature of existence. Though her death is tragic, it also marks a significant transition. We see how God, even in the midst of our deepest grief, continues to fulfill His promises. Rachel’s burial on the way to Ephrath (which later becomes Bethlehem) serves as a lasting memorial of her life and the role she played in the family covenant. For us, her story teaches that our lives, marked by moments of joy and sorrow, contribute to a larger legacy that is woven by God’s grace.
In addition to these personal losses and blessings, Genesis 35 also contains a note of familial discord that echoes through generations. We read that Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, committed an act of dishonor by sleeping with his father’s concubine. This misdeed brings shame and complicates the legacy of Jacob’s family. As we reflect on this, we are reminded that even within families chosen by God, human weakness and sin can create lasting wounds. Yet, these challenges do not define the entire story. Instead, they set the stage for God’s ongoing work of redemption and transformation, calling us to seek healing and forgiveness in our relationships.
The chapter concludes with a montage of blessings and farewells. Jacob, now called Israel by God after wrestling with the divine, reunites with Esau, and later in his life, Isaac—the patriarch of the family—lives to see his own days fulfilled before passing away. Isaac’s death, followed by a respectful burial by his sons Esau and Jacob, brings a sense of closure and continuity to the narrative. It reminds us that our lives are part of an unending cycle of beginnings and endings, and that even in death, God’s covenant and the legacy of faith continue.
Genesis 35 challenges us to reflect on our own spiritual journey. It invites us to examine the idols in our hearts, to let go of the past when necessary, and to pursue a life devoted to God’s promises. Like Jacob, we are called to step into the unknown with courage, trusting that even our hardships are part of God’s greater plan. His call to return to Bethel is a call to return to the source of our hope—to the place where God’s presence renews us, where we can build altars of remembrance, and where we can honor those who came before us.
In our everyday lives, the lessons of Genesis 35 resonate deeply. We are reminded that God’s faithfulness endures despite our human failures and that His promises are woven into the very fabric of our existence. As we journey through life, may we learn to trust in His guidance, to honor the legacy of those who have shaped our faith, and to live in the hope of a future where His blessings are unending. Through every trial, every act of obedience, and every moment of reconciliation, we are part of a divine narrative that stretches beyond our understanding—a narrative that calls us to live faithfully, with integrity and love, as we carry forward the covenant of God with joy and gratitude.