1. Jacob was forced to leave Shechem due to the events recorded in Genesis 34. God called him to go up to Bethel and dwell there, building an altar to the God who appeared to him when he was fleeing from Esau (Genesis 35:1, 6-7).
2. The first time God appeared to him, in Bethel, Jacob made a vow: if God would be with him, protecting him on the journey, and bringing him home safely, then the Lord would be his God. On the way back, he called the place El-Bethel, that is, the God of Bethel. Jacob recognized that the Lord does not desire to transform us merely to be our God, but to build up His house. He is the God of Bethel—the God of God’s House (Genesis 28:20-21).
3. When Jacob was returning home, God appeared to him again, blessed him, and told him that his name would no longer be Jacob, but Israel. And He said to him, “I am God Almighty.” The appearance of El- Shaddai to Jacob also indicates the end of the second stage of his transformation and the beginning of his maturity to do His will: the building up of the House of God (Genesis 35:9-15).
4. “Do not think that you have nothing to do with the promise made to Abraham, for if you are in Christ, you are also part of Abraham’s descendants: ‘And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise’ (Galatians 3:29). You too are an heir according to the promise” (Daily Food, book 7, week 1, Thursday, p. 14).
Did you know that we also have kids’ immersion? Click here to do it with your child: KIDS IMMERSION