gen 35

Question	Answer	Note---10-02-2016
Why did God order Jacob to leave, and he had just purchased the land?	It is not our prerogative to question the decisions of God, however we can conclude that as a result of the deeds of Jacob’s sons, in killing the Canaanites there might have been a need to relocate.	35:1 It seems that God is relocating Jacob because of what Jacob’s son’s had done to the Canaanites.
		35:1 Note that because of the idolatry that existed at the time, God was clear in telling Jacob that he should erect an altar unto the true God, which appeared unto him in Bethel
Was the presence of these idols as a result of the ones that Rachel had stolen?
Why isn’t there a record of God getting angry for the presence of the idols?	It seems that God works with culture. He works with the customs of the times.	It seems that meeting with God was not a daily thing. Jacob’s family seemingly had a secular life separate from a religious life.
		It seemed that their secular everyday life contradicted their religious life
Was idol worship/labor simply a way of life and not necessarily worship		35:2 It is interesting that in Jacob’s house he had allowed Idols.
		Jacob understands that appearing before the lord they need to strip themselves
Why did they have to change their clothes to appear before God?	It seems that this was a type of presenting your best to the Lord. Something like putting on your church/new clothes.	35:2
		35:3 It seems that God only speaks to the head of the house. Everyone else is to follow that person’s lead. Note how Jacob addressed his family, that the God they are about to meet, is the same God that appeared unto him before.
Why is it recorded that Jacob hid them, and not he burned or destroyed them?	The way in which this is worded gives the impression that Jacob will return for what he buried.	35:4 Although it is not said directly in the verse, it seems that Jacob will return for these items after meeting with God.
What caused the cities round about to fear God? Did the family of Jacob pass with thunder and lightening?		35:5 Note that because of the obedience of Jacob and his family, God defended them, and the cities did not pursue after them as Jacob had feared.