Genesis 31-35

“I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone” (35:3). The process of Jacob becoming Israel (ch32) referred to all that God was doing to transform Abraham’s family for the sake of the world. Like their neighbors, Jacob and his sons treated women badly (ch34, 35:22), responded to violence with more violence, and worshipped idols (35:2). But God met Jacob, wrestled with him, and called him to a different path.

“You will be longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel” (35:10). In mercy, God calls us out of our sin into a new life with Him, where we meet him “face to face” (32:30).