In our study of Genesis, we have noticed that the Patriarchs were less than perfect men. However, God was able to use these imperfect men to bring about His perfect plan. This gives us hope that we can likewise be useful in God's service today.

Jacob was flawed in many ways. He longed for that which was not his, deceived people to get what he wanted, and showed favoritism within his family. However, he was the man through whom God would continue to fulfill the promises He made to Abraham.

Jacob left his father's house empty handed. The Lord appeared to him in Bethel as he made his escape to Haran. It was there that God promised to be with Jacob and to bring him back to the land (Gen. 28:15). After spending twenty years obtaining wives, livestock, possessions, and children, the Lord told Jacob to return to the land of his father (31:3). Jacob's faith was growing, but he continued to show his fears and failures along the journey home.

In chapter 35, God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother" (v. 1). Jacob was instructed to take his family to Bethel (meaning "house of God") and worship God. The reminder of Jacob fleeing Esau was evidence that God had kept His promise and was worthy of the worship. It was time for Jacob to keep the vow he had made to God (28:20-22).

Notice what Jacob does. "And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, 'Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone'" (vs. 2-3).

Jacob was not a perfect husband and father, but he showed proper leadership for his family on this occasion. He knew his family was not prepared to approach God's presence. Sin had been tolerated in his home long enough. It was time to clean house.

There were idols that needed to be put away. Rachel had stolen her father's household idols when they fled from Haran (31:19), and the sons had plundered the city of Shechem, which likely included idols (34:27-29).

Are there idols in your home that need to be put away? I am not talking about little statues, but things that take the hearts of your family members away from God. Things like their possessions, hobbies, favorite celebrities, etc., that compete for their love, time, and energy that should be devoted to God. Such distractions from loyalty to God must not be ignored and tolerated, but put away.

Next, Jacob told his family to purify themselves and to change their garments. These actions would later be associated with the act of preparing oneself to acceptably approach God's presence (Ex. 19:10-15).

In the New Testament, the Lord tells us to cleanse the inside of the cup - the heart (Matt. 23:25-26). We are to put away ungodliness and worldly lusts (Titus 2:11-12). These impurities can be seen and heard in a person's life and speech. If such is found in one of our family members, it must be addressed. The old garments need to be put away. Husbands and fathers need to insist that their family members put on new garments of holiness (Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:8-10).

The way we dress outwardly reflects what is in our hearts. Some fathers need to wake up and realize that people in their households are not wearing proper clothing. Immodest dress is seen too often among God's people. Some parents need to stop buying immodest clothing for their children. Instead, they need to insist that their children change their clothes.

Take an honest look at your household. Does it need to be cleansed? Remember, Jacob was not a perfect man, neither before this event nor afterwards. However, these imperfections did not keep him from doing the right thing on this occasion. Families need spiritual leadership. Are you preparing your loved ones to meet the Lord?

"Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully" (Ps. 24:3-4).