Gen 33:17-18 | KingComments | STEP | When they separate, Jacob invents another trick to escape a new meeting with Esau. He goes to Sukkoth, near Shechem, to live in a house. This is not what the LORD said to him, it is not Bethel. And who said to him that he should buy a property? And did God not tell him to build an altar in Bethel ? The altar he builds here, near Shechem, says more of Jacob than of God. He is not yet interested in God alone, but in God as “the God of Israel”. Jacob calls himself here with his new name, while his actions show that he is Jacob, the cheater or the heels holder. We also can well camouflage our wrong way and actions with the use of pious language. We say we do something in the Name of the Lord, but it is only to pursue our own will. The consequences of Jacob’s way will be made public in the next chapter.

‏ Genesis 33:17-18

Jacob Goes to Live in Sukkoth near Shechem

When they separate, Jacob invents another trick to escape a new meeting with Esau. He goes to Sukkoth, near Shechem, to live in a house. This is not what the LORD said to him, it is not Bethel. And who said to him that he should buy a property? And did God not tell him to build an altar in Bethel?

The altar he builds here, near Shechem, says more of Jacob than of God. He is not yet interested in God alone, but in God as “the God of Israel”. Jacob calls himself here with his new name, while his actions show that he is Jacob, the cheater or the heels holder.

We also can well camouflage our wrong way and actions with the use of pious language. We say we do something in the Name of the Lord, but it is only to pursue our own will.

The consequences of Jacob’s way will be made public in the next chapter.