Living in the land of God’s promise is not trouble-free. There is still the consequence of past sin to live with. It wasn’t pretty for Jacob, and it generally isn’t pretty. This is another reminder of the awfulness of sin. We must learn to see sin as God sees it. What other life lessons can you see from Israel’s experience living in the land of promise?
Some important events not to miss: in verse 33:8 Jacob purchased the land on which he settled. This would be important for the incoming nation to know. Israel’s national values were rather unique among ancient peoples, to whom might generally made right. That Jacob purchased the land would have justified in part to them their impending possession of it.
Also note that Jacob called God his God at the place where he settled. Observe some of the results: worship, spiritual leadership of his family, witnessing about his relationship with God and what God had done for him in the past (which also involves noticing what God has done – this would involve thankfulness and praise), getting rid of that which displeased God, and preparation for meeting with God, part of which was purification. Those things may look much different in our lives today, but consider what his example might teach you about the evidence of God’s presence in your own life. What indicators are there? What choices might you need to make to show the evidence for which God calls?
Does it startle you that Jacob had to instruct his family to ditch their idols? We don’t get the lure those idols had for them; more about that at a later time. Those people probably wouldn’t understand the lure our idols have for us. What idols? That to which we are devoted above our devotion to God is an idol. We may not think we have idols, but our idols would be evident to these people if they could travel in time and observe us.
What can you learn about the great terror that came on the cities as Israel traveled? God may grant us a similar protection if we ask in times of unease or real danger. Does it occur to us to ask? Also, note that the world was watching Israel even back then.
Note also the covenant that God made with Israel. That is an important concept to trace throughout Scripture. It is a great lesson to us about God and about man.
What other lessons do you see from this passage, truths that you can learn about God and the way He deals with men and in men’s affairs, or truths about yourself and your own life?
Three weeks down! If you have kept up with the schedule, you’re halfway to establishing a habit of reading the Bible daily. You can do another three weeks!
If you haven’t kept up with the schedule, there is still plenty of time to do better. Start on it today!