14
Compliance To His Calling Brings His Covering
Justin SmithGenesis 35:1-5
Then God said to Jacob, “Get ready and move to Bethel and settle there….So Jacob told everyone in his household, “Get rid of all your pagan idols, purify yourselves, and put on clean clothing. We are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”…So they gave Jacob all their pagan idols and earrings, and he buried them under the great tree near Shechem. As they set out, a terror from God spread over the people in all the towns of that area, so no one attacked Jacob’s family.
“Because I said so”, were four words that aggravated me to no end growing up. When called to obedience my inquisitive and unruly mind wanted to know why, thinking that I knew better. “Why do I need to follow your ways, your rules, your commands if my perspective is superior”, I thought as an ignorant adolescent. My challenging, questioning, and sometimes defiance would inevitably be halted by the trump card of “because I said so”, and with those four words the lines had been drawn and disobedience would only lead to punishment. Today I was blessed by Jacob’s submission and willing obedience to Jesus’ command. He didn’t push the conversation, He didn't complain, but he obeyed knowing in maturity and wisdom that compliance to God’s calling would bring His covering.
- When commanded to “Get ready and move…” Jacob’s initial reaction was to purify the camp. Purity was essential in fulfilling God’s purpose and was the first step in the process of obedience. He knew that God’s blessing was critical to His plan in Bethel, which would be absent if sin, evil, and idolatry was rampant in the camp. Purity in my life is vital, and I must rid my heart of any idols that have taken the place of God. Whether it's people, possessions, or wordly pursuits, I must ensure that these are put in their proper place with God as first priority. I am far from perfect, thus I must daily repent and confess, seeking out His forgiveness and grace.
- Jacob remembered God’s faithfulness and reminded the people of His favor that had always been with him. Remembering God’s faithfulness roused his faith into action. It's so easy to forget how good God is and how faithful He has been to us. We often wrongly attribute the good things in life to mere coincidence or circumstance when it is by God's Divine hand that we have provision, protection, wisdom, guidance, and blessings. He truly is good, and I must remember this at all times, as this will rouse my faith into action.
- Jacob’s compliance to God’s calling brought His covering. “As they set out, a terror from God spread over the people in all the towns of that area, so no one attacked Jacob’s family.” So often I want God’s protection, God’s purposes, God’s plans in my life, but I am not willing to pay the price of purity. May I be quick to comply that I might know the comfort of His covering.
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your perfect love and faultless plans. When you call please enable me to walk in obedience, purity, gratitude, and faithfulness that your presence might be with me wherever I go. May I not complain but be quick to comply. May my life please you today, and may I walk with you.
