Bible Commentaries
Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture
Genesis 35
Genesis
A FORGOTTEN VOW
Genesis 35:1.
Thirty years at least had passed since Jacob’s vow; ten or twenty since his return. He is in no haste to fulfil it, but has settled down at Shechem and bought land there, and seems to have forgotten all about Bethel.
1. The lesson of possible negligence.
Many a brilliant morning is followed by cloudy day.
Youth is often full of enthusiasms which after-days forget.
2. The reasons for the negligence.
Jacob felt a gradual fading away of impressions of need. He was comfortably settled at Shechem. He was surrounded by a wild, godless household who cherished their idols, and he knew that if he went to Bethel idolatry must be given up.
3. The essentials to communion and service.
Surrender. Purity. Must bury idols under oak.
4. The reward of sacrifice and of duty discharged.
The renewed appearance of God. The confirmation of name Israel. Enlarged promises. So the old man’s vision may be better than the youth’s, if he lives up to his youthful vows.
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