Section 1: Genesis 35:1 God’s Call to Revival: “Arise and Go to Bethel”

Following the conflict of the last chapter, God comes to Jacob with a clear command: arise and go to Bethel and live there. This is a call back to where Jacob first encountered God personally.

Genesis 35:1 God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there. Make an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.”

— Genesis 35:1 (ESV)

Discussion Prompts:

• What does God’s timing reveal about His character? He calls Jacob to Bethel right after the chaos and violence of chapter 34—why might this be significant?

• God specifically reminds Jacob of “the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.” How does God’s reference to that first encounter at Bethel show His faithfulness across the years?

• Notice God commands Jacob to “dwell there” and “make an altar there.” What does this suggest about God’s desire for sustained relationship rather than occasional encounters?

• How does God’s call to return to Bethel represent a call to spiritual renewal after moral compromise?

Section 2: Genesis 35:2-4 Household Revival: Putting Away Idols

Jacob responds to God’s call by demanding a household revival. He tells his family to bring their idols—anything they’ve given power to—so he can dispose of them. There’s room only for Yahweh.

Genesis 35:2–4 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel, so that I may make there an altar to the God who answers me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods that they had, and the rings that were in their ears. Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree that was near Shechem.

— Genesis 35:2-4 (ESV)

Discussion Prompts:

• Jacob’s three commands reveal God’s process for revival: put away idols, purify yourselves, change garments. What does this progression teach us about true spiritual renewal?

• How does Jacob’s description of God—“who answers me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone”—show his growing personal relationship with God?

• Notice that the household actually had “foreign gods” and gave them up willingly. What does this reveal about how idolatry can quietly infiltrate even covenant families?

• Jacob buries the idols “under the terebinth at Shechem.” How is this act of burial symbolic of completely breaking with false worship?

• The text mentions they gave up “rings that were in their ears” along with the gods. What does this suggest about how even seemingly innocent items can become idols?

Section 3: Genesis 35:5-7 Divine Protection and Worship

As Jacob’s community moves toward Bethel, the surrounding communities are frightened by “the terror of God.” Jacob builds an altar to worship the true, living God.

Genesis 35:5–7 And as they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities that were around them, so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. And Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him, and there he built an altar and called the place El-bethel, because there God had revealed himself to him when he fled from his brother.

— Genesis 35:5-7 (ESV)

Discussion Prompts:

• What does “a terror from God fell upon the cities” reveal about God’s protection of His people during their spiritual renewal?

• How does God’s supernatural protection address Jacob’s earlier fear about retaliation from surrounding peoples after the Shechem incident?

• Jacob names the place “El-bethel” (God of the house of God). How does this name show the deepening of Jacob’s understanding of who God is?

• What’s the significance of Jacob building an altar immediately upon arriving at Bethel? How does worship mark true spiritual revival?

Section 4: Genesis 35:8 First Loss: Deborah’s Death

The first loss occurs—Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, dies and is buried under an oak tree that becomes known as “the oak of weeping.”

Genesis 35:8 And Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died, and she was buried under an oak below Bethel. So he called its name Allon-bacuth.

— Genesis 35:8 (ESV)

Discussion Prompts:

• Why might the text record the death of Deborah, who is mentioned only here? What does this suggest about God’s care for seemingly minor characters in His story?

• The place is called “Allon-bacuth” (oak of weeping). How does this show that revival and renewal don’t eliminate grief and loss?

• What does Deborah’s presence with Jacob’s household suggest about family connections and loyalty across the years?

Section 5: Genesis 35:9-12 God’s Confirmation: The Name Change and Covenant Renewal

God appears to Jacob again, officially changing his name to Israel and renewing the covenant promises. It’s as if God says, “Here it is, just like I promised.”

Genesis 35:9–12 God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.” So he called his name Israel. And God said to him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you.”

— Genesis 35:9-12 (ESV)

Discussion Prompts:

• God appears to Jacob “when he came from Paddan-aram,” officially marking his return to the promised land. What does this timing suggest about God’s faithfulness to bring His people home?

• The name change from Jacob to Israel is now made official by God Himself. How does this divine confirmation show that true transformation comes from God’s declaration, not human effort?

• God identifies Himself as “God Almighty” (El Shaddai) before renewing the covenant. Why might God emphasize His power at this moment?

• Notice God seems to have required reconciliation with Esau before this blessing. How does restored relationship often precede spiritual breakthrough?

• The promises mirror those given to Abraham and Isaac: land, descendants, and blessing to nations. What does this repetition reveal about God’s faithfulness across generations?

Section 6: Genesis 35:13-15 Memorial and Mission: Bethel Becomes House of God

God departs after the blessing, and Jacob sets up a memorial pillar, names the place Bethel (House of God), and consecrates it. Israel now has an objective mission, similar to our “Reach, Grow, Go.”

Genesis 35:13–15 Then God went up from him in the place where he had spoken with him. And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he had spoken with him, a pillar of stone. He poured out a drink offering on it and poured oil on it. So Jacob called the name of the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.

— Genesis 35:13-15 (ESV)

Discussion Prompts:

• What’s significant about Jacob setting up a stone pillar and anointing it after God’s departure? How do physical memorials help us remember spiritual encounters?

• This is now the second time Jacob has named this place Bethel. What does this repetition suggest about the importance of remembering where God has met us?

• How does Jacob’s act of worship through drink offerings and oil show reverence for the place where God appeared?

• Israel now has a clear objective from God—how is this similar to the church’s mission of Reach, Grow, Go?

Section 7: Genesis 35:16-18 Joy and Sorrow: Benjamin’s Birth and Rachel’s Death

Rachel becomes pregnant with another son, but her labor is difficult. She dies giving birth, naming the child “Ben-oni” (son of my sorrow), but Jacob renames him Benjamin (son of my right hand). Benjamin becomes the only son born in the Promised Land.

Genesis 35:16–18 Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor. And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for you have another son.” And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin.

— Genesis 35:16-18 (ESV)

Discussion Prompts:

• What does the timing of Rachel’s death—right after the spiritual renewal at Bethel—teach us about how God’s blessings and life’s sorrows can occur simultaneously?

• Rachel names her son “Ben-oni” (son of my sorrow) while dying, but Jacob renames him “Benjamin” (son of my right hand). What does this show about perspective and hope in the midst of tragedy?

• Benjamin becomes the only one of Jacob’s sons born in the Promised Land. What might be the significance of this detail in God’s covenant plan?

• How does this passage illustrate the truth that sometimes the closer we get to God, the more challenges we face?

Section 8: Genesis 35:19-21 Burial: Rachel’s Tomb

Jacob buries Rachel and sets up a pillar at her grave.

Genesis 35:19–21 So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is the pillar of Rachel’s tomb, which is there to this day. Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

— Genesis 35:19-21 (ESV)

Discussion Prompts:

• Jacob sets up a pillar over Rachel’s tomb that lasted “to this day” when Genesis was written. What does this enduring memorial reveal about the importance of marking significant moments?

• Rachel is buried “on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).” How might this location be significant in light of future biblical events?

• What does Jacob’s careful attention to properly burying his beloved wife show about honoring those we love even in grief?

Section 9: Genesis 35:22 Family Crisis: Reuben’s Rebellion

The text briefly but significantly mentions that Reuben sleeps with Bilhah, Jacob’s concubine. In that culture, this was symbolic of attempting to take over leadership of the family.

Genesis 35:22 While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine. And Israel heard of it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve.

— Genesis 35:22 (ESV)

Discussion Prompts:

• What does Reuben’s action represent in the cultural context? How is this an attempt to usurp his father’s authority and claim leadership?

• The text simply states “Israel heard of it” without describing his reaction. What might this restrained response suggest about Jacob’s character growth?

• How does this act of rebellion echo similar patterns we’ve seen in Isaac’s family and earlier generations?

• What does Reuben’s timing—right after family revival and in the midst of grief—reveal about how sin often attacks during vulnerable moments?

Section 10: Genesis 35:22-29 The Twelve Sons and Isaac’s Death

The chapter concludes by listing Jacob’s twelve sons and recording Isaac’s death at 180 years old, buried by both Jacob and Esau together.

Genesis 35:22–29 While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine. And Israel heard of it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob’s firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s servant: Dan and Naphtali. The sons of Zilpah, Leah’s servant: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram. And Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre, or Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had sojourned. Now the days of Isaac were 180 years. And Isaac breathed his last, and he died and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

— Genesis 35:22-29 (ESV)

Discussion Prompts:

• Why does the text formally list all twelve sons here? What does this complete accounting suggest about God’s faithfulness to build the promised nation?

• Isaac dies at 180 years, “old and full of days.” How does this phrase suggest contentment and completion rather than just longevity?

• Both Esau and Jacob bury their father together. What does this show about their reconciliation and the healing of family relationships?

• How does Isaac’s death mark the end of one generation and the full transition to Jacob/Israel as the covenant bearer?

✅ Wrap It Up: Revival and the Road to Promise

This chapter takes us through a complete cycle: revival, mission, joy, sorrow, loss, and rebellion—yet through it all, God’s purposes advance. Jacob experiences both spiritual breakthrough and personal heartbreak, often simultaneously.

The Revival Pattern: God’s call to revival followed a clear pattern that speaks to us today:

• Put away idols - Anything we’ve given power to besides God
• Purify yourselves - Inward cleansing symbolized by outward washing
• Change garments - Fresh, new clothes symbolizing new life
• Worship together - Building altars to the true, living God

God’s Faithfulness Through Difficulty: Jacob learned that sometimes the closer we get to God, the more challenges we face. He experienced:

• Divine protection from enemies
• The official name change to Israel
• Covenant renewal and blessing
• The death of beloved Rachel
• Rebellion from his firstborn son
• The death of his father Isaac

Yet through it all, God’s promises remained sure and His purposes advanced.

The Mission Continues: Like Jacob receiving his mission from God, we have been given the Great Commission: Reach, Grow, Go. Jacob was faithful to his calling—will we be faithful to ours?

The Challenge of Revival: True revival requires putting away anything that competes with God for our worship. Rachel once sat on stolen idols; now the whole household willingly surrenders their false gods. Revival is corporate, not just individual.

🕊️ God works through His people, calling us to live worthy of His name.

💬 Pastor Jack’s Call to Revival:

Put Away Your Idols! What have you given power to besides God? Bring it into the light and bury it completely.

Clean Yourselves - Repent: We are sinful beings who must agree with God about our condition and cry out: “Forgive me; renew me!”

Dress Differently: Think of the Armor of God—we must clothe ourselves with Christ and live up to the name “Christian” (Christ-like one).

Answer God’s Call: Like Jacob, we have received the Great Commission (Reach, Grow, Go). Jacob was faithful—will we be?

Be a Praying Church: A revival church is a praying church, sold out completely for God and His purposes in the world.

💬 Application Questions:

• What does Jacob’s immediate response to God’s call to Bethel teach us about obedience during difficult times?

• How does the household’s willingness to give up their idols show us what genuine revival looks like in community?

• What do we learn from God’s protection during their journey about trusting Him when we step out in obedience?

• How does Jacob’s example of setting up memorials challenge us to remember and mark God’s faithfulness in our lives?

• What does the pattern of blessing mixed with sorrow teach us about following God’s will?

• How should Reuben’s rebellion warn us about the ongoing need for spiritual vigilance even after revival?

• In what ways does God’s faithfulness to complete His promises through Jacob encourage us to trust Him with our own calling and mission?