Sometimes the difference between a half-hearted and a whole-hearted believer’s life is just as great as the contrast between an unbeliever’s and a believer’s life. Let’s not forget this. Because many believers think that how we live doesn’t matter, so long as we are saved.
V.1 God graciously speaks once more. Jacob must have been humiliated to have to be reminded by God of the day when he ran away from his brother Esau.
V.2 What God was doing to Jacob was beginning to get through to him. His conscience is starting to work. “Put away” he says. We never grow in our souls until we too “put away” the things which we may have been going on with which are not pleasing to the Lord. When we are careless, we don’t even know that they are there!
V.3. Good words “Let us go up to Bethel.” Remember it means the “house of God.”
V.5-15 Immediately there is a difference in the influence Jacob has amongst the neighbors. Once again he has to be reminded of his changed name.
V.16-29 Now Jacob is able to move on, and face a dreadful happening-the death of his beloved wife, Rachel.
V.27-29 Another death. Jacob is learning that death to self is the door to God’s blessings.