He Built an Altar

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In this sermon, we explore Jacob's return to Bethel, where he recommits to God by building an altar as instructed. The narrative from Genesis 35 highlights Jacob's realization of his delayed obedience and the subsequent actions he takes to purify his household and himself, symbolically burying their idols. The sermon also delves into the significance of name changes in the Bible, particularly focusing on Jacob's reaffirmed name, Israel, and the implications of living up to this new identity. Through Jacob's experiences, we learn about the importance of remembering God's faithfulness, the act of intentional change, and the reality that obedience to God does not exempt us from life's hardships.