Genesis 33: Who Do You Serve?

¹⁸ After Jacob came from Paddan Aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in Canaan and camped within sight of the city. ¹⁹ For a hundred pieces of silver, he bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, the plot of ground where he pitched his tent. ²⁰ There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel. -Genesis 33:18-20

Once Jacob had returned home, Genesis shares one important insight regarding his priorities. We are told he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel. In Hebrew, it simply means “God, the God of Israel.” He was clear to all of his family and neighbors that his God was THE God he wold worship–the God of Abraham, Isaac, and now Jacob.

A modern equivalent might be a big sign or banner in front of our home that says, “I worship the God of the Bible.” However, something as similar as a cross on the home of a Christian can have the same meaning. The point is that Jacob was clear about the God he served and was not afraid to make his faith public to those around him. Those neighbors even included Canannites who worship a wide variety of deities.

We need not be secret about our trust in the Lord. Rather, we are compelled by Jacob’s example to make clear to all the God we serve.

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Dillon Burroughs is the author and coauthor of numerous books and is handwriting a copy of all 31,173 verses of the Bible at HolyWritProject.com. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook.com/readdB or readdB.com.