Genesis 35:1-15

Spiritual Renewal at Bethel

After such violent, vengeful acts, God called Jacob's to worship again at Bethel. Before Jacob would go, he made everyone give up their idols (compare Genesis 31:19). He also required those with him to purify themselves, perhaps with ceremonial washings, and change clothing, likely to symbolize the solemn nature of the occasion.

Remember, Jacob made a solemn promise to give God a tenth of all his goods if God would keep him safe. Since the promise was made at Bethel, God called him there to worship and fulfill the promise (Genesis 28:10-22). As they journeyed, God kept them safe. The people whose land they passed through were afraid of them because of God and did not exact the revenge Jacob had feared they would. Jacob built an altar at the same place he had worshipped while on his way out of Canaan. He called the place "El Bethel," or "house of God." God renewed the promise at that time (Genesis 35:1-15).