“And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.”
This verse is part of the account of Jacob’s journey back to Bethel after his time in Paddan-aram. In this verse, Jacob instructs his household to rid themselves of their idols and pagan possessions and purify themselves before God.
To fully understand the significance of this verse, it is helpful to review the context:In Genesis 34, Jacob’s daughter Dinah was violated by Shechem, a Hivite prince. This event caused great distress and anger within Jacob’s family. In response, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, took matters into their own hands and killed all the males in Shechem as an act of revenge.
Following these events, God instructed Jacob to go to Bethel and build an altar there (Genesis 35:1). Before embarking on this journey, Jacob ordered his household to give him all the foreign gods they possessed and their earrings. These items were associated with pagan worship and symbolized their attachment to idols and false gods.
The act of removing the foreign gods and earrings was significant because it demonstrated Jacob’s commitment to the one true God, Yahweh. By purging themselves of these idols, they were acknowledging that God alone deserved their worship and devotion. The earrings, which were often used as ornaments associated with idolatry, were also surrendered, symbolizing their complete break from pagan customs.
Jacob then buried these idols and earrings under the oak tree near Shechem, a physical act that represented their renunciation of idolatry and their desire to separate themselves from anything that could distract them from serving God.
This event highlights the importance of genuine worship and complete allegiance to God. It serves as a reminder that as believers, we should strive to eliminate any idols or distractions in our lives that hinder our relationship with God. We must be willing to let go of anything that competes for our devotion and turn our hearts completely towards Him.
Genesis 35:4 encourages us to examine our own lives and identify anything that may hinder our relationship with God. It reminds us of the importance of repentance, surrender, and consecration in our walk with the Lord. By giving up the “strange gods” in our lives, we make space for God’s presence and guidance, allowing Him to work in and through us more effectively.
In summary, Genesis 35:4 teaches us the significance of removing idols and pagan possessions from our lives and the importance of wholeheartedly dedicating ourselves to the worship of the one true God. It reminds us to prioritise God above all else and to seek a pure and sincere relationship with Him.
