Genesis 35:9–15 (ESV)
God Blesses and Renames Jacob
9 God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. 10 And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel
shall be your name.” So he called his name Israel. 11 And God said to him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own
body. 12 The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you.” 13 Then God went up from him in the place where he had spoken
with him. 14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he had spoken with him, a pillar of stone. He poured out a drink offering on it and poured oil on it. 15 So Jacob called the name of
the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.
There was little mention of God in ch 34. Now, He again takes center stage, and Jacob responds.
Jacob gets rid of the false gods. He journeys to Bethel, the “house of God.” He again hears God’s promises. He worships. Where God’s people assemble around Word and Sacrament, God Himself is present to forgive those who repent.
I pray: “My soul, now praise your Maker! Let all within me bless
His name Who makes you full partaker of mercies more than you dare claim.” Amen.
Engelbrecht, E. A. (2009). The
Lutheran Study Bible (p. 70). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.