WE SERVE A KIND AND LOVING GOD THAT USES EVERY MEANS TO DRAW US BACK TO HIMSELF

• In this chapter is a new revelation of God- three deaths, a case of incestuous sin- 
• But through the deep lessons of death and sorrow through sin, God works His will in our lives
• We need revival, and the principles of revival are shown here - revival is God's work - not prayed down or worked up by man

But let's be sure to do our part so God can bless!

I. AN URGENT CALL TO BETHEL  Gen 35:1

Jacob was only 30 miles from Bethel, and there he sat for 10 years until a move was forced

A. THERE IS ONLY ONE PLACE TO REALLY FIND GOD, AND BE IN CLOSE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM

• At Shechem- Jacob lived by the world - enjoying its pleasures of sin, and paying a terrible price
• God sent trouble to disturb him, so that he could not be too comfortable -get him moving
• God will not let the Christian rest in disobedience - and God will call the Christian home

B. BUT THERE IS PREPARATION THAT MUST BE MADE TO MEET GOD, JACOB KNEW HE MUST BE RID OF SIN v.2,4

• There is a spiritual preparation- to get rid of Idols-, and many today have idols, too.
• The personal cleansing- and change of garments the symbol of turning over a new leaf in life
• They also gave up their earrings- (their worldliness?) and Jacob hid them under the tree

C. THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY BACK TO THE PLACE WHERE JACOB HAD MET GOD YEARS BEFORE v.5

• Even when Jacob was in disobedience, God watched over him and gave certain help- protection
• The fear of the enemy made Jacob move- God used the penalty of his sin to chase him back
• The fear of God kept his enemy neighbors from attacking him - the sovereignty of God- amazing

Are you listening so that God can call you home?  Some are spiritually deaf - are you?

II. THE PRICE OF BLESSING - BETHEL  v.6-13

It is so wonderful to be in the place where God wants you to be, and to know it.

A. SO JACOB CAME TO LUZ, WHICH IS IN THE LAND OF CANAAN - THAT IS BETHEL!  v.6

• The spiritual sincerity of Jacob once he heard God is amazing- he journeyed straight through
• "And all the people," - like a good shepherd he brought them all through to the place of blessing
• There were differing memories of this place- met God - v.7, Deborah died- v.8 time uncertain

B. AS JACOB ARRIVED AT BETHEL HE WAS PROMPT TO DO WHAT HE KNEW GOD WANTED HIM TO DO - v.7

• Jacob built an altar there- The Christian must have an altar- within the heart- God speaks
• He called the name of the altar - to the God of the House of God - "EL" - he knew God
• The reason Jacob built an altar there- because God appeared to him here - we need this, too.

C. JACOB RECIEVED A NEW REVELATION OF GOD AS HE CAME BACK TO BETHEL AGAIN v. 9-13

• The word again - v.9 pictures reconciliation again - a reconciliation accomplished- God spoke
• The repetition of the name change form Jacob to Israel- v.9 - Reminder - There is a new name-
• The revelation of God - v.10 El Shaddai - like Abraham 17:1 - The Bountiful God of Blessings

Again the linkage of the patriarchs is reestablished and drawn tight-

III. THE MEMORIAL OF GOD'S GRACE  Gen 35:14,15

v.13 God went up after talking with Jacob-Israel- now was his time to act in grace.

A. GOD'S GREAT LOVE IS SHOWN IN HIS TENDER CARE FOR JACOB

• While Jacob was away from the perfect will of God, he was not forgotten- God called him back
• God worked in the reality of circumstances to bring him back - even his enemies helped in God's plan
• Old lessons must be repeated, and we must return to first laid principles of God's grace

B. GOD'S GREAT JUSTICE IS NOT VIOLATED BY THE ACTION OF HIS GRACE

• In bringing Jacob back, God made provision for sin- provision to pardon it, and separate from it.
• Jacob had not done his part in obedience to God, so God helped him- made him obey
• God's method of recall- rebound principle- is to bounce us hard- Repent and do first works

C. GOD'S REMARKABLE AND MARVELOUS GRACE TO A HARD-HEARTED SINNER

• It is true that failure and backsliding keep us from being where God wants us to be - so human
• At the same time, God's grace begins to work wonders to draw us back - listen to God
• As God accepts our repentance after forcing us to do it - gives us a new chance- do better, child.

Later Bethel became a schismatic altar, but now it means back to God's house

WILL YOU LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF GOD THROUGH CIRCUMSTANCES SO THAT GOD CAN BLESS YOU?

• God wants absolute surrender to His will- and He will not stop pushing until He gets it.
• Will you follow God's leadership willingly, or will you wait for Him to chase you to it?
• Why not turn your back on your camp by the world - and journey by faith to Bethel?