Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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Note, In Beth-el, the house of God, we should desire to dwell, Ps 27:4. That should be our home, not our inn. God reminds him not expressly of his vow, but of the occasion of it: When thou fleddest from the face of Esau.
Note, The remembrance of former afflictions should bring to mind the workings of our souls under them, Ps 66:13, 14.
2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put
away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
Jacob commands his household to prepare for this solemnity; not only for the journey and remove, but for the religious services that were to be performed, Ge 35:2, 3. Note,
1. Before solemn ordinances, there must be solemn preparation. Wash you, make you clean, and then come, and let us reason together, Isa 1:16-18.
2. Masters of families should use their authority for the promoting of religion in their families. Not only we, but our houses also, should serve the Lord, Jos 24:15. Observe the commands he gives his household, like Abraham, Ge 18:19.
(1.) They must put away the strange gods. Strange gods in Jacob's family! Strange things indeed! Could such a family, that was taught the good knowledge of the Lord, admit them? Could such a master, to whom God had appeared twice, and oftener, connive at them? Doubtless this was his infirmity. Note, Those that are good themselves cannot always have those about them so good as they should be. In those families where there is a face of religion, and an altar to God, yet many times there is much amiss, and more strange gods than one would suspect. In Jacob's family, Rachel had her teraphim, which, it is to be feared, she secretly made some superstitious use of. The captives of Shechem brought their gods along with them, and