NOTES: Restoring Spiritual Passion 03
July 31, 2019

“Blessings at Bethel”

Genesis 35:1-15

REVIEW/INTRO
*God told Jacob to get out of Shechem and go up to Bethel:*
• Shechem was a real place, but to us it symbolizes the world’s ways apart from God

Bethel (“house of God”) was the place:
• Where Jacob built an altar to God
• Of answered prayer
• Where God revealed Himself to Jacob
• Of God’s protection
• Of influence
• Of brokenness

Bethel is also the place of BLESSING
Genesis 35:9

HOW DID GOD BLESS JACOB?

1. The blessing of a new .

This speaks of transformational change in a person’s character and identity
Genesis 35:10

It all started on the day that Jacob was born
Genesis 25:24-26
Jacob = “cheater, deceiver, supplanter”

Stigma = a mark of disgrace or infamy
• A stain or reproach on one’s reputation
• A characteristic mark or sign of defect

To stigmatize some one:
• To mark with a brand
• To set some mark of disgrace upon someone

At Bethel God gave Jacob a new name
Genesis 32:22-24

Genesis 32:27

When God asks a question, it’s not because of some lack of knowledge on His part
Genesis 32:28

“You are not who THEY say you are, you are who I say you are!”

If you will change your LOCATION, God will change your CHARACTER

# 2. Bethel is the place where God makes to you.

Genesis 35:11-12

God gave a promise to Abraham and to Isaac, Jacob’s father and grandfather
• Jacob would never have realized that promise if he remained in Shechem
God can’t fulfill His promises to you unless you are where you are supposed to be
• The story of the Prodigal Son shows this the best…

Wrap-Up:

  1. The road to Bethel will cost you something… but the benefits of being in Bethel are so much more!
  2. Challenge to read the book of Acts during the 40-day fast