Jacob explicitly submitted to God’s call and spoke to “his household and to all that were with him to put away the strange gods that are among them, and be clean, and change their garments.” Although, he knew members of his family had strange gods, unclean habits and garments that were not suitable for the presence of God before now, he kept quiet. Believers must not be cowards who are aware of sinful occurrences around them, but would fail to speak out.
Commendably, members of Jacob’s family sincerely and faithfully submitted “all the strange gods which were in their hands, and all their earrings which were in their ears.”

• It was a show of practical conviction of returnees to Bethel. The Lord requires practical conviction to establish a personal relationship with Him. It was necessary for Jacob’s household to demonstrate a practical conviction by putting away “the strange gods (with them), and be clean” before returning to Bethel. Joshua and Samuel also gave same condition to the children of Israel. Believers must be watchful of strange gods, so, they do not penetrate our lives and families. We must also be bold to speak out rather than keep quiet when we see any trace of strange gods amongst us.

• It was the expression of particular consideration in response to His beckoning. Responding to God’s call and doing His will require deep conviction and particular consideration. Jacob knew he would not return to Shechem. So, he “hidthe strange gods and earringsunder the oak which was by Shechem.” He did not keep them with him for use at a later time. Like Jacob, we must not secretly desire strange gods that have been put away or anything that can become an idol, in our heart.

In addition, we must beware of pride and avoid whatever makes a person haughty.
• It was the peculiar constraints and restraints of the barbaric. “And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.” When we live, as God wants, His presence and protection will be with us everywhere we go. The scripture confirms this that “if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee….”

The Lord had earlier promised Jacob enlargement, but He renewed it as a double confirmation of what He had said.
I• The proof of the saved companions, conscious of their conversion and newness of life. The evidence of conversion and newness of life showed when “Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, that is, Bethel, he and all the people that were with him. And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel.”

As believers, we must be conscious too of our conversion and newness of life through the obedience of divine directive. Also, when “Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said:“All the words which the Lord hath said will we do.” The blessings of God will multiply in our lives when we obey Him and do His will.

II• The second confirmation of a change of nature. “And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram and blessed him. And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.”

Although, Jacob’s name was earlier changed to Israel, the second confirmation came with the corresponding symbolic change of his nature. While he was Jacob, he fulfilled “the desires of the flesh and of the mind.” But when his name was changed, his nature was changed. The Lord has also given us “precious promises: that by these (we)might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

III• The solemn commission towards a company of nations.“And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins.”

As believers and children of Abraham by faith, the Lord has given us the mandate to reach all nations of the world with the gospel. When we carry out this solemn commission and “the heathen through faith” are converted, it brings to fulfillment God’s promise to Abraham that: “In (him) shall all nations be blessed.” Therefore, we must do everything possible to take the gospel “to all nations for the obedience of faith.”
• Further reading (King James Version): Genesis 35:1. Genesis 35:2-5; Genesis 35:2,3; Joshua 24:18-23; 1 Samuel 7:3,4; Genesis 35:4; Exodus 32:1-4; Isaiah 3:16-20; Hosea 2:13; Genesis 35:5; Exodus 23:22,27,28; Genesis 35:6,7; Exodus 24:3,7; Genesis 35:9,10; 32:28,30; Ephesians 2:3; 2 Peter 1:3,4; 35:11; Galatians 3:8; Romans 16:25,26.