Living on the Outskirts of God’s Promise
By Machelle McDowell
January 24, 2024
Have you ever been on a journey totally trusting your GPS for directions? For whatever reason you decide to take a different route? Your GPS becomes alarmed and tries to warn you and even gives you instructions on how to get back on task, not to mention the annoying voice that is programmed to speak audible instructions is not quiet until you disconnect from your GPS.
This is a good analogy of what has happened in Genesis 35:1! Jacob gets direct instructions from God to go to BETHEL, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; make an altar there to God,” how much more direct could he have been? That sounds pretty clearcut.
Jacob drew out his own map. God made it clear and gave him every opportunity to obey but Jacob disconnected his spiritual GPS. He went rogue!
Just shy of his destination, he takes root in Shechem. Shechem was a beautiful city but Jacob’s actions displayed sinfulness and failure to honor God. Interestingly, at one time Shechem was the location where Abram stopped at the tree of Moreh and received God’s promise of the land, (hmmm).
Maybe Jacob fantasized about a repeat visit from God like his grandfather experienced? We are unsure (exactly) why Jacob chose to stop here. It has been said that possibly he was still harboring some fear of his brother, Esau or maybe feared the Canaanites themselves? Only our God knows the motives of our heart.
Here we are just outside of God’s will once again. Jacob seems to be a repeat offender! Jacob was living through an unfulfilled vow he made with God- he was suppose to go to Bethel! God said nothing about settling in Shechem. Another compromise that led to years of heartache.
He apparently became very comfortable in his sted and once again lived a life dabbling in the things of the world that cost him dearly! Through his disobedience he suffered greatly.
Jacob tolerated foreign gods. He spent many years with the Canaanites which undermined the purity of his chosen race. But, I feel that his children received the greatest damage of all.
Think about it, they were young when arriving in Shechem and grew up in a household divided, idol worship versus Godly worship. A household of confusion which leads to identity issues. I can hear the questions in my mind that were asked by the young men, “Father, who or what do we serve?”
And, possibly this confusion may have played a part in the lack of character Jacob’s sons displayed in the next few chapters of this book!
The heartache began in Shechem when Jacob’s daughter Dinah was raped! And, follows with his two sons, Simeon & Levi going Rambo! Through deceit and murder brought revenge for their sister and a bad name to their father.
Soon after these events, God summons Jacob to go to Bethel! Even though Jacob obeyed, the damage was done. The character flaws of his sons continued to show themselves.
Genesis 37- We can see that at the very least 10 of Jacob’s 12 sons bore serious character flaws. Where did they learn such callous behavior? Could it have been the fact that their mothers brought idol worship into the home? They reflected hearts of stone in this chapter. Hearts that could only be carved from not knowing their true God.
Ironically, Joseph & Benjamin, Jacob’s youngest and son’s of Rachel were favored by God and remained steadfast? Did Jacob make more of an effort to instill God’s truths to them?
The older brothers turned against their younger brother Joseph. Joseph had the hand of God upon his life. He began to have visions/dreams about his family bowing down to him. He was 17 at the time. Due to lack of maturity, he began to boast as any teenage boy would and naturally the older brothers did not find it humorous to say the least.
It did not help that he was his father’s favorite and Jacob did not go out of his way to deny it. He even went as far as to give him a special robe! Caution: parents this is a terrible idea!
The plot thickens when Jacob, (now called Israel) sent Joseph to check on his brothers who were tending to the flocks near Shechem, (of all places). His brothers saw him coming towards them and envy gave birth to hatred!
Quick summary: They wanted to kill him at first but thank goodness the older brother, Reuben convinced them otherwise. He told them to throw him in the cistern, (thinking someone might rescue him).
So, they stripped him and threw him in. Their actions that followed display the condition of their calloused hearts, they sat down to eat.
A caravan of Ishmaelite's came by headed to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, “Let’s sell him!” The thought was that they could make a profit and get rid of their pesky brother at the same time.
Little did they know, they had just provided the processional that led Joseph to his promised purpose. His dream and what they thought to be their worst nightmare was being unveiled.
As the next few chapters unfold Joseph’s dreams come true. Not only do they come true but this 17 year old boy demonstrates God’s favor pouring out on his life and everything he touched.
God’s plan and purpose cannot be undone. We may change the route and get lost along the way but His will be done. What an example of Christ Joseph was. First, humbled and then exalted.
(2 Cor 4:18) - “What is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.”
I encourage you today to plug into your spiritual GPS and seek God’s plan and direction for your life. Give thought and prayer to every decision you make. Ask questions, “Will this make my relationship with God stronger or weaker?” Step back and reflect on the lifestyle your are living and how it is effecting your family as a whole. It matters! It can change the trajectory of your entire life.
The trickle effect of Jacob’s decision to redirect his spiritual GPS took him on the most treacherous ride of his life. Living outside of God’s will is not a good place to be.
Are you living on the outskirts of God’s promise?