“And God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name." And he called his name Israel.”
Genesis 35:10
Summary
In Genesis chapter 35, God commands Jacob to return to Bethel, the place where Jacob first encountered the divine. As Jacob obeys, he instructs his household to put away foreign gods and purify themselves, illustrating the importance of dedicating one's life to the one true God. Upon their journey, God protects Jacob and his family, striking fear into the cities around them to prevent them from pursuing Jacob's clan. The chapter emphasizes the fulfillment of God's promises, as He reaffirms the covenant made with Jacob, declaring him as the father of nations and promising land to his descendants. Additionally, the chapter recounts the death of Rachel during childbirth and the subsequent burial of Jacob's beloved wife, highlighting themes of loss and God's sovereignty in times of grief.