A New Day
Then God said to Jacob, “Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau.” So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone. Genesis 35:1-3
When was the last time you vowed to start over? The last time you came to a divide in life that forced you to reassess your course? How long after were you again in need of redirection, perhaps because your footing was loose and your motives were unfounded? This seems to be common in our lives today, as well as in the lives of those Old Testament biblical figures. Jacob, the man that God mysteriously chose to love over Esau, seemed to have one of those reactionary types of relationships with God. He’d act on intuition, experience some consequence, and seek God’s help in starting over. Then, shortly after, he’d be in need of once more starting over.
In this day’s passage, we find God again in conversation with Jacob and his instruction is, once more, to start over. In response, Jacob tells his people to rid themselves of foreign gods, to become pure, and to change their wardrobe. In one sentence, Jacob calls his family to start completely over. To change their pattern of worship, to change their understanding and practice of purity, and to change their presentation. God’s instruction to Jacob and his household was for a complete overhaul in how they currently functioned.
Now is the time of year when many Americans make a vow with themselves or with God or with family and friends to start over. I’ve never been much for yearly resolutions, but there is a deep sense of beauty in the opportunity to start over. In doing so, we are reminded of God’s commanding ability to both forgive and forget, and we are infused with a sense of confidence that all is not lost and our feet can be regrounded and redirected. This day, take a moment to evaluate. Evaluate your direction, your relationships, your attitude, and your service. There is no shame is starting over and admitting past mistakes—it is indeed the only way to move forward.
