At the end of Genesis 33 we find Jacob moving all of his family to Shechem where he bought a piece of ground from the local citizens of Canaan. In chapter 34 we have the story of the man Shechem forcing himself on Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah. This is the story where two brothers of Dinah told the men of Shechem that if all of the men would be willing to be circumcised like they were then it would be fine for them to intermarry.

The men of Shechem were willing to do this but the son's of Jacob had no intention of becoming a part of the Canaanite community and on the third day after the men had been circumcised and still in pain we find Levi and Simeon going into Shechem and killing all of the men and looting all of the city. This greatly disturbed Jacob because he was sacred that the other Canaanites of the land would come and destroy him and his family.

"Then God said to Jacob, 'Arise, go up to Bethel and live there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.'" (Genesis 35:1)

Jacob prepared his family for this move by having them put away any foreign gods they had and to purify themselves. Jacob told them that he would build an altar at Bethel where the Lord had answered him in his distress concerning his relationship with his brother Esau. This is another reason for us to be willing to build an altar and put relationship problems on the altar that we build. A great deal of life is made up with relationships and we will find many times during this walk a need to put them on the altar.

Jacob remembered the reason for the altar at Bethel when he was about to face Esau and that God had answered him in his distress over this broken relationship. It is interesting to notice that once Jacob had left Shechem with his family and headed to Bethel we find God putting a great terror upon the cities that were around them and they did not pursue Jacob. I love the following verse from Chronicles.

"For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." (2 Chronicles 16:9)

The Lord was supporting Jacob in his moving his family back to Bethel. Our simple obedience to do what the Lord tells us causes the Lord to prove Himself strong our behalf. I love the old song that is entitled: THE WAY OF THE CROSS LEADS HOME.

(1)I must needs go home by the way of the cross, There's no other way but this; I shall ne'er get sight of the Gates of Light, If the way of the cross I miss.

(2)I must needs go on in the blood-sprin-kled way, The path that the Savior trod, If I ever climb to the heights sublime, Where the soul is at home with God.

(3)Then I bid farewell to the way of the world, To walk in it never more; For my Lord says "Come" and I seek my home, Where He waits at the open door.

Chorus: The way of the cross leads home, the way of the cross leads home, It is sweet to know, as I onward go, The way of the cross leads home.

Jesus tells us to take up our cross daily and follow him, This is really what we are doing when we built an altar unto the Lord. This is where we die to our way of doing things our way and surrendering to His way. The old testament saints can teach us much about the need to continue this way in our walk with the Lord.

Thanks for walking with Ruby and I in our endeavor to walk with the Lord and to allow Him to continue to teach us His wonderful ways. He truly is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Glory! Thanks for going to our web site and ordering our soap and other products. We truly appreciate your willingness to try these products and allow us to pay our own way. We will be returning to Israel in a little over a week.
Click here to order: http://www.samaritanfoundation.org/product.htm

Blessings, Homer.

www.samaritanfoundation.org
homer@samaritanfoundation.org