GENESIS 35
9 God appearedto Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. 10 And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.” So he called his name Israel. 11 And God said to him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. 12 The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you.” 13 Then God went up from him in the place where he had spoken with him. 14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he had spoken with him, a pillar of stone. He poured out a drink offering on it and poured oil on it. 15 So Jacob called the name of the place where God had spoken with him Bethel. – Genesis 35:9-15
GENESIS 35 COVENANT PROMISE TO JACOB
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
When the Lord called Jacob to come back to Bethel
The Lord changed Jacob’s name to Israel
He also reiterated to Jacob his covenant promise
The Lord passes on to Jacob his promise to Abraham and Isaac
He will be given the land that was promised to his offspring
So, Jacob called that place where God had spoken Bethel.
This place which was originally “Luz” was called Bethel by Jacob when he first laid his head on the stone and God showed himself to him for the first time. At this point, the Lord showed himself to Jacob again and reiterated his promise to his grandfather Abraham and to his father Isaac. Twelve tribes will be coming from his lineage who will bear kings from such offspring. God also promised Jacob that they will eventually own the land which is currently occupied by the Canaanites.
Once again, we see the Lord’s faithfulness in keeping his promise to his chosen people. Even though Abraham is gone already, the Lord comes to Jacob to remind him of the covenant promise he made to his grandfather.
REFLECTION
- Why do you think God continued to keep his promise to Jacob’s offspring despite their revenge and slaughter of the Canaanites men?
