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Jacob Bible Study – Genesis 35

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Ask anyone from Winnipeg where to get the best thin-crust pizza, and 9 times out of 10, they’ll say Gondola. So, when I found out they were moving into the building on the corner of our street, I was beyond excited and ready to spend every penny of my babysitting money. You see, the restaurant wasn’t just on the corner of our street—I could see it, and sometimes smell it, from my bedroom window.

I was about 14 when we moved into that house with the park-like yard and pie-shaped lot. It was a modest home, but to Mom and Dad, it was their dream home. Mom had a large kitchen, Dad had a workshop in the basement, my sister Bonnie and I had our own bathroom on the second story, and we all had access to pizza. With an extra bedroom on the main floor, the place was large enough to host Bible college students and give traveling missionaries a place to stay. It was also a gathering place for Bible study groups and fellowship around a backyard campfire.

Perhaps the thing that Mom and Dad liked best about the house was its convenient location, just a hop away from a major street. For four years, the coffee was always on, and with a rotating door of visitors, the house was a constant hub of warmth and fellowship.

It was a sad day when they decided to sell, but after Dad was laid off from the same job after 25 years, they figured the best way to get through the rough patch was to downsize. So, they moved into a smaller place that never quite felt the same. After I graduated high school and started living on my own, I received an unexpected call—Mom and Dad had repurchased the house and were finally returning to the place they had always called home.

That’s what our study is about this week—a call to return. Return to our first love. Return to the foundational truths that anchor our faith. Return to those moments when we first encountered God and felt His presence in a powerful way.

A return to Bethel.

In Genesis 35:2, Jacob instructs his family, saying, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes.” Notice how in verse three he says, “Then come, let us go up to Bethel.”

You see, before they could go to Bethel, there were three things that needed to happen. Jacob understood that approaching God wasn’t something to be taken lightly. It required preparation—both outward and inward. Before they could enter into this sacred place, they needed to get rid of anything that stood between them and God, purify their hearts, and symbolically change their garments to reflect the transformation that was happening within.

As we look at each of these separately, we see that the symbolism behind them can be applied to our faith, and what that might look like today:

1. “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you”

“Foreign gods” can symbolize anything we prioritize over our relationship with God. This could be material possessions, our careers, relationships, or even internal things like pride or control.

What steps can we take? We can start by examining our lives to identify anything that distracts us from fully following God. Just as Jacob’s family needed to get rid of these idols before returning to Bethel, we are called to let go of anything that hinders our walk with God, whether it’s a sinful habit, a misplaced priority, or an unhealthy attachment.

2. “Purify yourselves”

This symbolizes the call to purify our hearts and minds. It’s about allowing God to cleanse us from the inside out, removing anything that corrupts or defiles our relationship with Him.

What steps can we take? We can start by addressing the sin or impurities that may have crept into our lives, repenting of that sin, and asking God to help us move forward. This purification is not about perfection, but about a sincere desire to be right with God and to live a life that honors Him.

3. “Change your clothes”

Changing clothes can be seen as an act of putting off the old self—the sinful nature and old ways of living—and putting on the new self, which is created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24).

What steps can we take? We are called to clothe ourselves in Christ, to put on the character of Jesus, and to live in a way that reflects our new identity in Him. So, we can start by leaving our sin in the past and stepping into the new life God has ordained for us according to His Word.

 As we reflect on chapter 35 this week, let’s remember that returning to Bethel isn’t just about going back to a physical place or a memory—it’s about returning to the heart of our relationship with God. It’s about removing anything that stands in the way, purifying our hearts, and embracing the new identity He’s given us.

This Week’s Challenge

This week I challenge you to identify one area where you can “return to Bethel”—whether it’s spending more time in prayer, diving back into God’s Word, or letting go of something that’s been a distraction. Commit to making that change this week, and ask God to renew your heart and restore your passion for Him.

This Week’s Bible Verse

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Week at a Glance

TUESDAY: GENESIS 35:1-4

Watch this week’s video at Time-Warp Wife or on Youtube (subscribe while you’re there)

Print off this week’s Bible verse at Time-Warp Wife.

Go through the section in your study guide for Genesis 35:1-4, and answer the questions at the end of that section.

Check in on the community at: facebook.com/groups/biblestudies. If you are new to the group, now is a good time to introduce yourself. While you are there, maybe you could drop in a friendly message wishing others a blessed week, or share a prayer for the week ahead.

WEDNESDAY – GENESIS 35:5-8

Go through the section in your study guide for Genesis 35:5-8, and answer the questions at the end of that section.

Share your reflections in the Facebook group.

THURSDAY – Genesis 35:9-15

Go through the section in your study guide for Genesis 35:9-15, answer the questions at the end of that section.

Share your reflections in the Facebook group.

Respond to at least one other person’s post in the group to encourage others.

FRIDAY 

Visit Time-Warp Wife to read Darlene’s closing thoughts on this chapter

Share your final reflections on the study in the Facebook group.

SATURDAY – Catch up

Use today and Monday to catch up.

SUNDAY – REST

MONDAY – Catch up

Use this day to catch up to the rest of the group.

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