Genesis 34-36

“Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments” (35:2).  Jacob and his family were part of the covenant of faith God made with Abraham, yet it took many years to change their behavior.  Along the way, the older generation died (Rebekah’s nurse Deborah, and Isaac, ch 35), Rachel was lost in childbirth, and the tragedies of Dinah’s rape and the revenge-slaughter of Shechem occurred (ch 34)  Meanwhile, God kept calling Jacob/Israel and his children to “put away the foreign gods” and serve Him alone.

God is patient with us. He doesn’t abandon us in our distress (35:3) but calls us to turn away from our idols and trust Him alone.